Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-11

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 7, 1885.
| Editor Kenne5ee Joucnal:
The holidays have come and gone, leaving
the givers of gifts poorer and the recipients
happier by far than before. Never before.
perhaps, was gift giving more general. and
that 10 saying q great deal, for Washington
is noted for its liberality in this respect.
during the week before Christmas made
pedestrianism . slow movement and some
times all movement was stopped unless one
got into the middle of the streets. The
| scene, amid gas and electric lights in profu-
zion was q delightful and inspiring one to
view, and Notwithstanding the many discom-
forts, the crowd was jolly and accomplishing.
DENT
expired the day before Christmas. and the
black drapery was removed from the depart
ment buildings, so that this reminder of sor-
row was not presented to the joyful hu-
mainly that surged in front of them,
and they forgot perhaps for the dav
of death"
HE NEW EARS CALLs
| were evidently as numerous as IN former
years, while in New York city the Gus
tom seems to be on the wane. The
dav, contrary to custom, was a beauti-
full one, as nearly perfect day as one
could wish for such an occasion. The sun
| shone in almost summer warmth and bright
| ness, the streets were as dry and clear as
house floor, and the air was still and balmy.
The Young man whose overcoat was shabby
| (ss mine was) or who perhaps had put it in
the keeping of his 'uncle." was happy in the
thought land action) that he could go around
and cali on all his lady friends without one.
The coachmen only were down-hearted. for
as there was no bad weather, more preferred
the original stvle of locomotion. especially
q, the masters of the whip are allowed to
charge double on such days. However, as
the splendid day called out many more visit
ors, probably the Jehus made up their quota
Of costumes after all. The ladies were in
high glee and ablaze with jewels and smiles.
THE WINE Cur
Intoxicants so far as can
learn were not so freely dis
pensed as hitherto, vet l saw quite a lumber of
well dressed gentlemen, both young and old,
late in the evening. talking freely to lamp
posts or cigar figures, modelled after the human
form. But with all the temptations placed in
the way, both at houses and bar rooms, l
must say that Intoxicatlon has been the ex-
ception, not the rule, during the holidays. and
that Washington, considering its size and
metropolitan nature, can set better example
than most of her riv ais or superiors, and. if
the truth is told about Portland and Bangor,
by our old friend Neal Dow, it can set them
ali example too, notwithstanding our prohibit
tory State law.
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION
on this dav was as such receptions always are,
a huge affair, everybody that could, going
there to shake hands with the Chief Magis-
trate. The President, having q fine physique,
went through the ordeal bravely and wonder
| fully rapid. Somebody tried to average the
number of shakes" per minute, but his head
got weary md he gave it up
There was magnificent turnout of for
eign ambassadors and attaches, and q
pretty handsome sprinkling of army and
navy officers, notwithstanding our small army
and Secretary Endicott's mandatory order
which sent so many dancers of "The Ger
man" back to march with their regiments in
stead. BY the way,
SPEAKING OF SECRETARY ENDIcorT,
| wish to notice and refute an editorial pub
lished in the Louisville Courier Journal and
quoted in your issue of Dec. 28th. under the
head of ''Exclusiveness in high places :"
The whole thing grew out of the fact that .
partially drunken or crazy man appeared in
the corridors of the War Department and
demanded to see the adjutant general and the
secretary of war, regarding some imaginary
claim or grievance, and on being refused
raise d hue and cry which called out half the
force in the office and the messengers were
finally ordered to put the man out of the
building if he did not leave himself. Out Of
such small cloth Il very untrue and unjust
story has been circulated and as a lie travels
faster than a truth no doubt some people
will never know to the contrary. Secretary
Endicott is II gentleman of the sold school"
alas, not enough seen or appreciated nova
| days, more or less resembling the
manners of the Everetts, the Ad-
amsee and the Saltonstals of Massa-
chuse,ts, or the Fessendens. the Evans
and tine Hsmlin's of Maine. Dignified, yet
affable, courteous and unassumine. yet un-
destsnding the properties and civiities due
to his position Without meaning any dis
paragement to any other member of the Pres
ident's cabinet, Secretary Endicott is the last
one that any one could pitch upon as being
| discourteous or uncivil
| HOUSE COMMITTEES.
| The selection of the committees by the
| Speaker of the House has just been an
nounced, and have not time i'll this letter to
discuss the fitness or unfitness of the heads
selected. see, however, that the West gets
the lions share, and that most of the 'silvel
men" are put in the background. especially
Warner who is badly left.
About 2000 bills only have thus far beer
| int oduced and referred.
Who believes that a tenth part Of these
bills will ever again reach the Speakers desk
in any form whatever? E.JB.
A newspaper item is in circulation stating
that the old friends of Mr.. John Roach hac
taken little notice of his misfortune snC
shown little sympathy for him. The item