The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-06-24
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1856.

The convention of HOrtlculturlstS,
With three hundred delegates, repre-
every State ia the Union, is
in session here now the long strike is
over and work has been resumed; a
BRAZILIAN Prince has been among us
for several days and Congress, despite
the warm weather, is braveiy working
and voting and wasting time as usual.
But these matters sound prosy as COM
pared with the great social event OF
the week.
The official world of the Capital is
charmed with the new mistress of the
White House. She won their hearts
at her first reception on Tuesday eve-
ming, and her reputation as a beautiful
dignified and charming hostess is es-
tablished forever. Expressions of ad-
miration over her beauty were on every
lip. The Russian Minister, Baron de
Struve, was heard to declare that he
would 60 back to Europe and tell the
people that he had seen the hand
soonest woman in the world, the wife
of the President of the United States.
Mrs. Cleveland was entirely self
possessed, and went through the try
ing ordeal of being stared at by nun
dreds of the most critical people in
Washington society without evincing
nervousness or excitement. Well
known society women touched one
another and exchanged expressive
glances as they recognized the pres
ence in the White House of one of the
prettiest women ever seen in that posi-
ton. The old mansion probably never
presented a more brilliant spectacle
than on this occasion, It's interior
| was a bower of flowers and plants,
tropical in their magnificence. But
the impatient crowd was Indifferent to
the decorations, as we'll as to the fact
that a veritable, South American
Prince was to be guest that evening.
1t was longing to stare at the white
robed bride, and when she appeared,
leaning on the Presidents arm as they
marched to their position In the Blue
Room, there was considerable ill.con-
cealed curiosity, with much impulsive
pushing and craning of necks.
The President wore his customary
evening suit of black, and his wife
wore her bridal dress of ivory satin
with its long drawn out train of five
yards. She carried q fan of white Os
trich tips. which she welded with
energy as the evening grew warmer
while the President famed his drip.
ping brow with a large cambria hand
kerchief. 1t was remarked that the
President never looked real happy al
a reception before. The gnests in
cluded all who are identified with the
social. political and official life at the
Capital, but to name them would bt
an endless task.
The prospect of an early adjourn
ment of Congress grows less with each
day, and many members Of judgment
assert that the middle of August will
find them still here.
Three wise men of the House o
Representatives exhibit quite con-
trariety of opinions in regard t. the
receipts and expenditures of the Gov
ernment for the next fiscal year. Mr.
Hiscock, who claims to have gone
over the question with the utmost care
makes bold to assure the country that
there will be deficit OF over $l4, ,OOO,.
900. Mr. Morrison, who has thor.
oughly familiarized himself with the
financial situation, states that instead
of there being deficit, there will be
an increased surplus. Mn Randall,
Chairman of the Appropriations Com
mittee, who is understood to know
everything there is to know about
monetary affairs, steers between the
two, and gives it as his judgment that
the revenues and the appropriations
will come out about even.
Mr.. Randall said, however, that the
startling deficiency figures that Mr.
Hiscock had discovered did not sur.
prise him in the least, since the in
crease this year over last year for pen
+ sions was SIS. 100000. Still, the new
! Administration has cut down the ex
penses of the Government in so man,
J different ways that there is hope TO
an even adjustment.
} The work of retrenchment is pro
crossing rapidly now through the dis
, missal of Department Clerks. Tn
Treasury has just dispensed with fort.
supernumeries, and proposes to dis
, charge many more. In consequence
all the Republican retainers are agai
panic stricken.