Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-06-16

omargarine-The tariff biiI-Mrs
Cieveland's first reception-Mr. Tuck
err, wife and daughter-The Presidents
marriage certiicate-Turnfp seed.
From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, June 18th 1886.
Two weeks ago, I promised something
descriptive of the sights and beauties of
Washington. 1t is remarkable that so many
people live so near the National City, and
know so little of it. Hundreds of people
live, it is said, all their lives within the
sound of Niagara Falls and never have seen
them. So it is, the Natural Bridge and
other great curiosities which attract visitors
from across the ocean are unseen by those
living in sight of them. Washington is a
magnificent city-the prettiest in the land
and in many respects the grandest of the
world. Its wide, well-paved. and shaded
streets give beauty and comfort, which are
not attainable in a crowded city. The
houses are built back from the streets with
parking and flower gardens in front which
further adds to the enjoyment and the
health of its people.
The Capitol is the centre. From it be-
gin the streets. Those parallel to its sides
are numbered list, 2nd, &C., and those at
right angles to these are lettered, A, 3, G,
&C. The avenues are broad streets run
ming from the direction of the capitol like
the spokes of a wagon-wheel. These cross
the other streets diagonally and, at the in
tersections, are little parks with stumbling
and statuary. The streets are paved with
asphalt (pitch) and are hard and smooth
and noseless in comparison with those
where stone and brick are used. So much
e. Al nj ha 81 ic
the centre of attraction to the visitor, as
well as the centre of the city. Of itself it
is worth a thousand miles, visit. 1t is the
grandest, and one OF the costliest, public
buildings of the world. It stands on the
brow of the hill about 100 feet above tide
water. The material is beautiful white
marble surmounted by an iron dome, paint
ed white. The dome rises about 800 feet
| above the base, and is capped by bronze
| figure 195 feet high. The building is 751
| feet long by 1924 feet wide, and covers near
| ly acres of ground, and is surrounded by
| beautiful park of near 100 acres. Its cost
up to this time reaches near $15, 900, O0O.-
In the South wing is the Hall of the House
of Representatives and the officers pertain
| ing to that branch. The Senate Chamber
occupies the North wing. In the centre is
the Rotunda with its historical paintings
and the Library. Between this and the
| Hall of the House is the Statuary Hall con-
tanning contributions of the statues of emf
nent men from all the States. On the 9TH
er side of the Rotunda, next the Senate
| Chamber, is the Chamber Of the Supreme
Court. In all of these places are curious
objects of historical interest which would
require large space to even MENTION
From time to time | will insert other ob-
| jects of interest which may give pleasure
and information to your readers who do not
have the opportunity to see these things.
I Congress has been occupied during the
past week on the appropriation bills. These
have given rise to many spirited, and. in
| some cases, acrimonious discussions. just
at this time of year it is in fashion for Con-
gressmen to be looking to the condition of
their ''fences,' and they are very particular
to be recorded on the side of retrenchment
and reform. The slips and Inconsistencies
of other times are constantly watched and
exposed by some of their fellows-some-
times from political reasons aud frequently
through the sport Of their colleagues.
| Holman, of Indiana, has come in for a
| large share of this kind of badinage. He is
the ''great objector" and is considered the
watch dog" OF the Treasury, par ercel-
!ence. 1t gives some of the others great
1
| plenty of the kind in Congress, who are
very economical, when it don't effect their
own states and friends. There are plenty
Wiz would willingly curtail other peoples
salaries, but are careful never to touch their
own to reduces them.
| l spoke some weeks ago of the inunda-
| ton of speeches that is poured upon the
| country. The number from the House
alone for this session has reached near or
| quite 1000, 900 copies, and the flood con-
| times. Admiring constituents, who re-
| ceiye these illusions, doubtlessly think that
| listening Senates hung upon the lips of their
| eloquent members in the delivery of them,
when the fact is in majority of them, no.
| body here ever heard word of them at all.
A member will get up and say few words
and task leave to print" and the first time
the speech sees the light will be in the ''Re-
cord'' the next day. 1t is said that in some
cases they are even written by some one
else. The older and more eminent mem
bers make but few speeches.
| Oleomargarine has had great run, till
| everything Congressional smells greasy.
| Next Thursday is set for the Tariff bill,
but at this late day of the session it is
| doubtful whether it will be considered The
hot days and the nearing of the time for
conventions and campaigns make memb ers
| in a hurry to push through the necessary
business and get home.
The President and his wife have settled
! down to everyday life. Mrs. Cleveland is
now full mistress of the White House.
Miss Cleveland and Mrs. Hoyt, the Presi-
| dents sisters, have returned to their homes
in N. Y. Mrs. Cleveland will have her first
public reception to the high officials on
Tuesday and for the public On Friday.
The fashionable people are beginning to
scatter off for the Summer, and the city will
soon be left to dizziness, and the everyday
| folks who have to remain here.
sMrs. Tucker and her daughter, Miss Laura,
have returned to their home in Lexington.
| Mr.. Tucker is there, also, at this time at
tending the commencement at Washington
& Lee University.
| The Presidents marriage certificate gives
| his age as 40 and his wife's 81 years. He
gives his occupation as ''attorney-at law"
and his residence Executive Mansion,
Washington, D. G. His signature is in
fine lady's hand and Mrs. C.'s in bold
business-like handwriting.
The Agricultural Department is busy get
| ting the annual contributions of turnip
seed. en-"
| Mrs. CLEvELAND's TrrLE.-A pretty
story, if one could believe it, is told by the
Paris correspondent of Vienna paper. A
short time ago matinee musical was given
by tho Duchess Lamotte, and among the
guests was the charming bride-elect of Pres
ident Cleveland, thea in Paris completing
her rousseau. The young lady was the
object Of many marks of distinction, the
high aristocracy surrounded her, and there
was much talk of her position. One lady,
the daughter-n-law of the Duchess de Per-
signy, condoled with Miss Folsom because
she would have no title as the wife of q Re-
publican President. s'All would be well,