The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-03-13
Washington Letter.
,yAsaisoros, March sth. 1885

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"have nothing 10 do with the case. -
And the same may be said OF some
Of the speeches delivered on the
pension bill just passed by the
House of Representatives. This
commendable measure, to which no
member objected, was the innocent
cause of five days debate, during
which old war issues were reviv-
ed, the bloody shirt waved aloit,
and any amount of bitterness and
patriotism developed, thus afiording
Congressman Il chance to make po-
litical speeches for their constituents
to read.
Much to the surprise Of all the
Educational bill went through the
Senate with flying colors after
tempestuous voyage Of three weeks.
Three lourths of the Senators indor-
sed it by their votes, but its fate in
the House is more doubtful. There
has been great change Of senti-
ment on the subject since it was
first broached, and the feeling is
spreading that Southern States,
where illiteracy is most prevalent,
will be able to provide for the edu-
ca ion Of their own people, and will
be more likely to do SO if left to
themselves.
The debate on the Presidents
prerogatives is to belin to-day, and
the air promises to he full Of the
Stuarts and Roundhcads, and good
entertainment is confidently expect
ed. Mr.. Cleveland is well satisfied
overthe result of his message. He
feels that lie has been wise in thus
presenting his view Of the case to
the people. lie has heard a good
deal Of praise for what he has done
The Republican Senators who
have been spoken to on the subject
were dis 'osed to raise no objection
to the confirmation of the newly APP
pointed Recorder Of Deeds, Mr.. Mat
hews, the colored lawyer of Albany,
who is to succeed Frederick Doug
lass. Since the nomination was an
nounced they have had considera-
bic sport at the expense OF their
Democratic colleagues. The dissat-
isfaction over this appointment
which has been so freely expressed
by the Democrats of the District is
ON the ground that the office, being
a strictly local one, should have
been filled by Il local man. They
think the appointment good one
politically, and Southern men adj
nit that the news of the appoint
ment will 60 far towards assuring
to colored men of the South that the
Administration is friendly to their
race.
Tomorrow evening the President
will hold a Congressional reception,
which may be said to mark the end
of the present social season, Miss
Cleveland having held her last for
NAL Saturday afternoon" prior to
lent.
The closing event of tomorrow
will be the grand crush Of the sea-
son. Senators and Members of
Congress, with the ladies of
their families, have been courteous
ly invited by card this time, and
will attend in force. So will the
Diplomatic Corps, the Army and
Navy, the Judiciary, and the news
paper announcement to meet Con-
gress at the White House.
The "Ostler Joe" business, like
Banquo's ghost, will not down.
This sensation of society circles
started over two weeks ago, spread
quickly, and New York society it is
said has not been more disturbed in
decade than by Washington soci-
ETY. blaming Mrs. Potter for reciting
'Ostler Joe. Although there has
been so much in the papers about
Mrs. Potter's recitation and how it
startled Mrs. Whitney's guests, ETC.,
your readers may not have gotten
the real gist of the matter. If SO, it
may be interesting to relate that the
occurrence was at a musicale given
in Secretary Whitney's parlors, for
some charitable object. Seats sold
at $500 apiece, and everybody was
there in full dress. Mrs. James
Brown Potter the noted amateur
actress, n lady of the utmost social
pretention, being an admired figure
in the Astor circle of New York, re-
cited the above mentioned poem.
She detained with more than or
binary emphasis and cleamess.
The poem was of unsparing length
and of increasing high flavor and
listeners did not preserve an even
front. The young maidens retreat
ed behind their fans and shuddered