The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-27
FROM WASHINGTON.
How Merry Christmas was Spent at
the Capital City.
Pensions Granted to Citizens of the
Pine Tree State.

l&PNNAoA w thc ACoo.I
WASHINGTON, Dec, 29-The din Of horns,
streets wet and sticky which but for the ad-
mirable pavements would have been knee
deep in mud, and an atmosphere mild and
spring-like, rendering a heavy overcoat a
burden, made Saturday in Washington seem
little like Christmas. But although the snow,
the keen frosty air Of the New England
Christmas were missing here, the joyous
gatherings, the Christmas gifts. the Ginning
bells and the beautiful music were not. Joy
prevailed everywhere, in the comfortable,
luxurious houses Of the nabobs Of the
Worth West" and in the humble homes of
the poorer sections. Thanks to the Christ
mas clubs, many poor family, who do not
often know the comforts Of a substantial
dinner and warm house. was ON that day
provided for. In several parts of the city
dinners were spread to the poor children Of
the city, the bootblacks and the newsboys,
and the tables were filed with crowds of
poor little ones who rarely enjoy such a
treat The departments all closed at noon
on Friday for the rest Of the week, giving
grateful though short rest to the clerks. Al
together the day was bright and happy one
to nearly everyone in the Capital City.
Special services were held at many of the
churches, and at the Catholic and Episcopal
churches some very fine music was rendered
by choirs selected for the occesion from the
best singers of the city. The chimes ON the
Metropolitan church rang at morning, noon
and night, and the spirit Of 'peace on earth,
good will to men" seemed everywhere to
prevail.
At the Capitol.
The Capitol during this recess is practical
ly deserted by the lawmakers. Now and
then dignifed Senator or Representative
may be seen in the corridors or in the COM
mittee rooms, but they are rather the ex-
ception. Senator Frye spends part of each
day in his committee room. Congressman
Reed is seen occasionally at his desk in the
House looking over his correspondence and
few others occasionally make their ap-
pearance. But although there me quite
number Of Senators and Representatives in
the city they are generally devoting them
selves to the pleasures Of the season, and
rarely get up to the scene of their labors,
ION the HILL" Only one committee will hold
any meetings during the recess, the sub
committee of the House naval committee,
which has the naval appropriation bill in
charge. They will undoubtedly have the
bill ready to report to the full committee i'm
mediately on the reassembling of Congress
and it will be reported to the House soon
after. The appropriation committee have
already reported one appropriation bill
which the House has not acted upon, so they
thought there was no need Of working dur
ing the recess.
Mary Balchelder has been commissioned
postmistress at Windsor, Me.
Pensions have been granted in Maine as
follows Elias Thayer, Brewer; Cornelius
Looney, Togus; Geo. Woods, Augusta,
original claims; Wardman Littlegeld, No.
Dixmont, increase.
A Merry Christmas for Orphan Chill
dren.
The children of St Johns Church Orphan
age were given Christmas tree entertain
ment this afternoon at 4.30 o'clock by the
Secretary Of the Navy and Mrs. Whitney,
who received their guests standing in the
parlCr / o the left of the entrance surrounded
by their children. After laying aside their
hats and coats in the lib Tary. the little ones
led by Sister Sarah, who Is in charge of the
orphanage, entered the room, and greeting
their hostess, passed into the ball room. in
liiC CCutiC VI WUlCn otOOQ lut Uctulllul tItt.
The children, led by Rev. VIM. Leonard,
then joined in singing the Christmas an
them, "Hark the herald angels sing" The
Secretary and Mrs. Whitney were assisted in
distributing gifts from the tree by their
daughter, Miss Pauline Whitney, and their
two sons, Harry and Willie. For the older
girls there were pretty work boxes Of scarlet
satin, with books, games, dolls and trans
parent states, while for the younger ones
were Noah's arks, full rugged ships on
rollers, wagons, musical boxes, ac
cordeons, mouth organs, horns, whips
lOps, marbles and toys of every descriptions
Secretary Whitney evinced the liyeliest in
terest in entertaining his poor young guests,
who though never before in the midst of
such elegant surroundings, seemed to be
wholly unaware Of in their bewildered enjoy
ment Of the glittering tree and the gifts so
layishly bestowed upon then. Before leav-
ing the children sang another anthem, and
were then ushered into the dining room,
where ices and cakes were heartily enjoyed.
In addition to their other gifts, each child
was presented with a pair of worsted nit
tens filled with candies. About 60 children
were entertained. The guests present. in
addition TO the children, were Surg. Gen.
Gunnel, u. 5. N, Rev. William Leonard,
Mrs. Leonard. Mrs. Gen. Emory, the presi-
dent of the orphpnage, Mrs. Admiral Wor-
den, Miss Worden, Miss Emory, Miss How
ard, Miss Howell, Miss Barnes and Miss
Victoria Emory