Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-02-25
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. is, 1886.

Although you may not believe me, the
dismal fact remains the same that Congress
is to have the Fitz John Porter relief busi-
ness all over again. The debate has actually
begun, and the greater part Of the week has
been sc, spart for this subject. A week
too. in the midst Of the busy part Of the
session What could be more dreary' OF
course nothing new could be brought forth
in the discussion. The same old battles Of
the war will be fought over again. The same
old evidence. so often sifted is all there is in
the case now. No witnesses could be sum
moned who will not be recognized as old
acqusintances.
Representative Steele, Of Indiana. who was
among the first to speak in opposition to the
bill, promised with the remark. "Wha, in
thunder are we here for Why are We
discussing Fitz John Porter? The Demo
Gratis will vote for it anyhow" Still the
gentleman from Indiana said he would not
be deferred from giving the reasons Why he
would vote against it. He severel, con-
demned General Porter's disregard of the
order 10 march, declaring that the order was
peremp,ory, and that it could and should
have been obeyed.
Socially the week at TIE Capital has been
unusually brilliant, notwithstanding a tenn
porary interruption of,he festive programme
by General Hancock's death. The President
held his frs, card reception of the winter in
honor Of the diplomatic corps, and also
gave state dinner to the Justices CT the
Supreme Court. There was grand banquet
at the Chinese Embassy, brilliant reception
at Secretary Whitney's with an abundance
Of point lace and diamonds, flowers and
music, besides innumerable gayeties Of less
prominence.
Both events at the White House were
gorgeously appointed. The dinner to the
Justices was sumptuous with seven wines
and twelve courses, satin favors, and bouton-
niers. while the floral arrangements on the
table we're in compliment 10 the guests, a
pair Of scales Of justice made Of flowers be
ing the central piece. Over it rested dove
with an olive branch.
The card reception drew distinguished
gathering, both Houses Of Congress, the
Judiciary, officers Of the Army and Nav, and
officials in Washington who hold COM
missions fom the President having been in-
yi,ed TO meet the foreigners An hour be-
fore the reception began, the gas suddenly
went out and the mansion was in darkness.
An effort was made 10 light il with candies,
ard when the cand.esticks were exhausted,
candles were placed all around the parlors
in bottles and sauces, their feeble flames
making very inadequate illumination. The
gas mains, which had been flooded for some
days, had been Jeff in that condition. For
tunately there was time TO pump the water
out before the guests arrived, and the
house and grounds were soon brilliantly
lighted again.
An old resident Of Washington remarkc ID
recently that the National Capital had
changed wonderfully in the pasi few years.
although We have Democratic Admin
i.tration," said he, II notice that the tend
ency Of society is more aristocra,ic than
ever" Another replied "Of course it is.
The genuine democracy Of the countr, went
out Of power last March. Nine .,enths ofthe
Republican voters are too democratic to be
long TO the Democratic party, All that was
anti-repubican in Official society here during
the last t1enty-four years Of Republican
rule. has been copied this year with eAaggrr-
ated emphasis"
Attorney General Garland, Of Pan Flee
tric fame, is credited with furnishing the
JetFer.onian simplicity for the Adminis,rat-
ion, while Secretary Whitney furnishes the
magnifcence Mr. Garland sdJures state
dinners, and has said that he will never.
10 never, wear swallow ,all coat. Mr..
Whitney IS the dude Of the Cabinet. and is
wealthy. He delights in display aud Is
never tired Of adding 10 the rich collection OF
artistic belongings with which his residence
here ID furnished He bought $4,000
worth of bric-a-brac from one New York
dealer alone.
The Secretaries Of State and War, Bayard
aud Endicott, furnish the blue blood Of the
Cabinet, each coming from ancestral lines of
pilgrim and cavalier. They are both digni-
fed in person, of comfortable fortunes, and
born aristocra,s. No one would ever think
Of approaching these gentlemen with Pan
Electric 10 obtain the influence of their ex-
alted positions to give it intrinsic value, and
neither of these gentlemen would appear on
an evening social occasion without swallow
7 tails