Sun River sun. [volume] (Sun River, Mont.) 1884-1885, 1885-01-15
WASHINGTON LETTER. :. In
from our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 1856.

W ''O.~s yum - AC<Vs
Christmas ut the Capital came and
went with all tho customary obscrv-
anccs; with church celebrations and
innumerable festivities at schools,
charitable institutions. asylums and
homes and alas with its usual record
Of intoxication and crime. Charity
contributed freely to holiday happi-
ness by gathering together the chill
dren OF the poor, and giving them
turkey, ice cream, Kris Kringlos and
amusing entertainments. In this work
the Presidents little daughter Nellie,
Miss West, daughter Of the British
Minister, and tho daughter OF Chief
Justice Waite, may be mentioned as
active participants, besides many
hers who were equally efficient, but
whose names lack the accident Of
fame. But tho chief event OF the
week was President Arthur's last New
Years reception. The official pageant
was brilliant, and the President l.ad
long list of assistants, including the
ladies Of the Cabinet, OF the Supreme
Court, the wives Of many Senators
and Representatives and other ladies
Of social distinction. The assistants
stood in The line by turns, withdraw
ingSwhen fatigucd, to tho rear Of the
receiving party, while others came
forward and filled their places.
Promptly ut the hour for the opening
o. the reception President Arthur, in
full morning dress, white kid gloves
and button-hole bouquet, stood ut the
head of the line, and received first
his Cabinet and next the Diplomatic
Corps. The Chief Justice and Asso-
ciatc Justices followed, then Senators
and Representatives, Judges Of the
Supreme Court Of tho District Of
Columbia, Judges of the Court Of
Claims, officers Of the District Judi
ciary, Commissioners Of the District,
cx-members OF the Cabinet and ex-
ministers OF the United States. Then
came the officers OF the army and
navy, the assistant secretaries Of De-
plrlmcnts. heads Of bureaus, the as
sistant General and At
torney General, the Solicitor General,
and various other heads, superinten-
dents, commiss oncrs, secretaries and
assistants. Thel veterans OF tho war
Of 1872, and tthose of tho Mexican
war, were. followed by the soldiers Of
the Grand Army Of the Republic, and
tho Oldest Inhabitants Association Of
the District, and then the doors wero
thrown open to citizens and throng
of both colors, who were neither ad-
mirals, judges, nor generals, made
steady procession through the parlors
! until tho reception closed. Tho White
House was decorated with tropical
plants, the Marine band stationed in
the vcstibule, filled it with music, and
the scene in the famous East room
! was striking. while the representa-
tiye5 Of foreign countries mingled
their gorgeous court costumes aud
dccora,.ons with the gay tinseled uni
!, forms Of army and navy officers, and
the sombre dress OF the Supreme
Court Justices.
:. The day was observed in Washing.
ton on regle. Carriages, hansoms and
, cabs whirlcd along the streets with
their freight of callers. Ladies hand.
y somely attired received them in gas
lighted parlors. Gentlemen paid the
compliments Of the season, supped
. tea OF coffee, nibbled sandwiches and
. cake and departed, and the first duty
OF the new year was fulfilled. Many
will never see their hostesses again
G because by Jan. l, 1856, the ofiicia
+ and social personnel Of Washington
/ will be almost entirely changed.
@ There is no end to Inauguration tall
t. in Washington, and several steps to
q wards preparation for the event have
e been taken during the past week
d Warcrooms, halls, barracks, and ev
n crything that can't be utilized fol
J. lodging purposes are being fixed VI
o for organizations that are coming, ani
u northern firms have contracted to fur
70 nish thousands of cots. The Com
n mittee on Public Comfort, whose dut,
q it is to provide quarters either q
" hotels or private houses for persons
q desiring them, will endcayor to keeI
II prices for every variety OF service
{ down to ordinary rates, and can, it i,
Is hoped, be relied upon to prevent OK
rs tortionate charges.
le Mr. Cleyelands letter on tho Civi
t. Service has been the chief topic O
J. conversation here for several days
L In the departments the widest diGel
1t ence of opinion is experienced ii re
is gard to it. Many officials regard th'
I,A l. D.,