Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-03-11
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vote and count which turned the rascals out
The attention of Mr.. Tilden was attracted
by his sagaoity and courage exhibited in the
contest. Mr.. Whitney's prominence in the
politics of New York has been uninte rrupt
ID since that time. The friendship of Mr..
rilden given him then has never been with
drawn nor weakened.
Mr.. Whitney has always been very promi
nent in the politics of New York, and by
his actions as official adviser to Mayor Wick
ham during 1879, made himself famous as
b reformer.
TIE PRESIDENTS PRIVATE SECRETARY,
DANIEL s. LAMONT OF NEW YORK.
The private secretary of the president
Daniel 8. Lamont, was born in Cort-
land county, New York, February 9, 1851.
He was the only child of a'country mer-
chant in good circumstances, who gave him
an academic education. Upon leaving col
lege, he entered his fathers store as clerk,
An occupation which proved uncongeniai
aud was soon relinquished for the pursuit
of politics. Mr.. Lamont was made dele
gate to Democratic State Conventions before
he had attained his majority. His first Of
flee was as deputy clerk in New York. He
was a member of the New York assembly
in 1870, 1871 and 1876. In 1876 n he acted
as chief clerk IN the New York state depart
ment, under John Bigelow. Mr.. Lamont
was confidential man about Samuel. Til
den during the time he was governor
of the empire state, and after his nemina-
ton for the presidency in the period of his
candidature. 1t is stated that Mr. Tildsn
has employed him oftener in confidential
matters that he has any other mau. From
1875 until 1883, Mr.. Lamont was secretary
of the Democratic State Committee of New
York He evidenced as such marvellous
acquaintance with the details of state poll
tics, and knowledge of public men and
politicians rarely equaled. His facility of
remembering persons and calling them by
name is very remarkable. Mr.. Lamont has
had some experience as newspaper man,
having been managing editor Of the Albany
Argus for some years, until he accepted his
appointment as private secretary to Govern
or Cleveland. He is still stakeholder in
The Albany Argus Company, of which
Daniel Manning is president. His grand
parents came to this country from Scotland,
and his prevailing characteristics of cool
headedness, reticence and far-sghted sagac-
ity are decidedly such as are embodied in
the popular conception of what the educat-
ed Scotchman is He is small, quiet look
ing man weighing not more than one hun
dred and twenty-five pounds and standing
about five and half feet. Mr. Lamont is
a devoted husband and the father of two
bright children.
EVENT ECLIPsING ANY FORMER OC-
CAsION OF THE KIND.
The Inauguration ball Wednesday night
vas the most brilliant social event which
the capital has ever witnessed, and
past efforts to celebrate former occasions
seem punny in comparison with it. This
handsome ballroom, which is probably the
largest space ever utilized for such pur-
pose, is all aglow With wonderfully artistic
blending of colors. bright with softened
light, merry with the music of the brass
and stringed instruments. and literally
alive with gaily moving throngs in the
mazes of the dance, or the statelier tread
of the promenade. Brightness, warmth
and the pungent fragrance of the pine and
balm, mingled with the heavy odors of hot
house flowers, made up the ideal ball at
mosphere. The see ne is everywhere one Of
unusual and. original brilliancy. Every city
and State is represented in the throngs
which greet the new President, and among
them all their impressions Of the beauty
of the entire surroundings are often ex-
pressed. How so much could be accom-
pllshed with such crude principles as the
same interior presented a fortnight ago is
the CHEF wonder OF many and to those
whose entire delight is not found on the
ballroom floor an inspection of all the de-
tails of the plan Of the great structure and
its lucky adaptability to the needs of the
ball makes up one of the evenings pleas
ures. This spacious dancing floor, 316 by
116 feet, with its arched and galleried side
walls and peaked roof rising seventy-eight
feet above it, made three more than ordi-
nariy-sized bathrooms. People such a
field with the foremost men and women in
our national and social life, throw about
all the glamour which the presence of
young maidens in dainty and picturesque
ture with that stately row of chaperons
and dowagers who are resting here AID
there outside this gay central scene, and
fair pen-picture of President Cleveland's
inaugural ball results. Such handsome
dresses are rarely seen here as distinguish
ed the ladies tonight. Many who feared
the worry of taking care of train, think
ing to keep all their attention for the nota-
BILE scenes of more than notable occasion,
wore short dresses of quite as costly text
ure, which, if they added less to the scenic
effects, contributed largely to their owners
peace of mind. Many Of the foreign ladies
were thus equipped, they laughingly said,
for the crushing they expected and likely
received. The more prominent Demo-
cratic ladies We'd with one another in the
richness Of their dresses, and most of the
Southern ladies wore gorgeous Partisan
toilettes. The military dress of many of
the gentlemen added to the general rich
effect, and formed decided contrast to the
sober hues of the civilians. Amongst the
ladies all white or black dresses predomi-
mated, with the lighter tints frequently in
gauzes and tulles. The long corridors
outside the raised platform where seats
were placed in the galleries, made second
series of promeiades, in addition to that
space under the galleries on the first floor,
and as couple after couple stroled along its
bricked pathway they seemed to specta-
tor on the floor but deepened shadows
which the fiuttering remnants from the