The midland journal., 1886-07-09
Our Washington Letter


this year. it was celebrated at the Capital
in the usual way. By direction of the Pres
ident, orders have been issued closing the
various Executive Departments, and the
Government clerks had holiday. Thous-
ands betook themselves to the country pic
nic-ing, and thousands more went on short
railroad excursions and excursions down
the Potomac. Being debarred his sport on
the fourth proper, because it was Sunday.
The fire cracker fiend began on Saturday
evening making night hideous, and contin.
ued until silenced by the hour that ushered
in the Sabbath. He began again at mid
night on Morning and continued through
out the day.
The U. S. Senate celebrated the nations
birthday by taking holiday, but the House
of Representatives honored it by working
hard on Appropriation bills. Sc r.tary
Whitney invited the employees of the Navy
Department TO celebrate the day with their
families at his suburban residence on George
town Heights, where he provi ded a sub.
stantial lunch for them. 7 he President
spent the day as usual at his desk, and at
four o'clock drove out to his country cot
tage with his wife. The Oldest Inhabitants
Association held their annual meeting, at
which the Declaration of Independence was
read, and the day was brought to close in
the old way by a grand pyrotechnic display
south of the White House.
Mrs. Cleveland made her first visit to the
Capitol on Saturday. She visited the House
first, and occupied seat in the Executive
gallery, accompanied by Mrs. Villas, Mrs.
Lamont. and Captain Eads. While the
party remained it absorb bed the attention of
our lawmakers to the neglect of their busi-
ness. Many Republican Members, whose
seats were under the gallery, were prevent
ed from seeing Mrs. Cleyeland, and went
over and took seats on the Democratic side
where the view was unobs 'ructed. The
lady was very much annoyed by such scrut-
iny, and remained but short time. When
she rose to leave, not only did the galleries
empty in order that the visitors might get
near to her, but some Members of the House.
and quite number of the House attaches
followed her through the corridors to the
door of the building in their efforts to get
near view of her face and figure. Mrs.
Cleveland's embarrassment at this unex-
pected and forced circus of herself was de-
cidedly painful. She kept her eyes ayerted
while she flushed and paled alternately, and
it was conceded even by those who subject
ed her to the ordeal that it was very ILL
bred and objectional treatment.
Mrs. Cevelands pleasant ways continue
to be a subject of favorable comment in all
circles here. She is making many acquaint-
ances at her regular Tuesday and Thursday
receptions, which are held from twelve to
one o'clock. Society people are Complain
lag a little at the hour she has named.
They would prefer it later ia the afternoon
thus giving an opportunity for more for
NAL occasion. But that is just what the
mistress of the White House wants to avoid,
and she makes but little preparation for
them, coming down richly but simply dress
ed. She has an easy self-posession and
great deal of small talk, which is valuable
faculty in entertaining casual visitors.
In regard to the monumental bridge with
which it is proposed 10 connect Washington
City and the Nationoi Cemetery at Arling-
ton, just over the river, a Southern Senator
expresses some new views. He was en-
thuslastic in behalf of the project, but he
wished to make it monument to commem-
crate the reunion of the North and South
rather than as an honor to individual! cit
Zens.
''Do you object" asked, 'to making this
bridge monument to Lincoln and Graut?"
''Not at all, ," was the reply, elf that is
desired. In fact would much rather the
proposed monuments to Lincoln and Grant
should take that shape than to have un-
slightly monuments of Lincoln and Grant er-
ected in the public parks, the one proposed
on Rock Greek, for instance to be call ed
Lincoln Park, and the other on the re
claimed Potomac Flats to be called Grant
Park. and both to be provided with monu.
mental structures. Then would dedicate
the proposed bridge across the Potomac to
the reunion of the North and South and
make'it grand structure worthy of these