The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-01-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondence

WASHINGTON. Jan. End. 1885,
To-day are inaugerated in Washing.
ton the social festivities of Its off,
cial world. The semi-official retire.
ment in which the cabinet circle was
plunged through respect to the men,
erv of Ex-Secretary Manning was of
less than a weeks duration, and
therefore has not interferred with |
the time honored custom of New |
Years Day.
AS Oh former similar occasions, the |
White House was fragrant with floral
decorations, dazzling with gas, and
brilliant with gold lace, epaulets and
rich costumes. The New Years
Day reception at the Executive Man.
sion was instituted in the early days
of the Republic. and Washington
himself, after consultation with Ad-
ans, the first Vice President. estab.
lished some of the etiquette which
still prevails.
This ceremony, more than any
other in the United States. resem-
bles what is called Court. IIRthssI
early days the people rushed to q
public reception in such numbers
that the representative of foreign
nations here complained of being
crowded out, and declined to attend.
An arrangement was then made to
receive the Diplomatic Corps seper-
ately, and shortly after it was DEEM
ed necessary to determine the rela-
tive rank and precedence among the
foreign tunctionaries and our own
high officers of State. Washington
consulted his entire Cabinet and
system of precedence was arranged
which became the foundation of all
the official etiquette of the Capital.
While the order of approach to the
Presidential presence observed at
one of those receptions is well known
to many. will mention for the ben
eft of others who are curious to learn.
that the officers of the Cabinet and
their families are first received by the
President and hostess of the White
House, and then follow the Diplo-
matte Corps in the order of their sem
iority of residence in Washington, so
that it is possible the plenipotentiary
from st. Domingo may have prece.
dence of the Minister from the
Court of st. James. After the d.
plomatists come the Judges of the
Supreme Court and then the Senators
aud Representatives, officers of the
Army and Navy, and a number of
Government officials too varied in
name to mention.
The parade in the East room to-day
was worthy of comparison for glitter
and lace with that of many real
courts. The Diplomats are always
in Court dress. the Judges of the Su-
preme Court sometimes wear their
gowns, and the Army and Navy Of
ficers always wear full uniform. AT.
ter the official crowd have passed out
and those who have contrived to &C.
company it to see the sight, of which
there is always goodly number, the
Democracy is admitted, and hod-car.
tiers and washer women can be seen
under the chandeliers where the rep.
resentatives of Kings and Queens
have just aired their royal decora-
tions.
The opposition to the confirmation
of Mr.. Lamar is being so we'll organ
lied and of such determined char.
acter, that it is quite likely final &C.
ton upon the case will be delayed
for several weeks. 1t is understood
that Senator Sherman, Edmunds and
Hoar will make speeches against his
confirmation, and as the Democrats
will reply. there will doubtless be a
prolonged debate. Mr.. Lamar would
seem to realize his jeopardy. At a
wedding reception few days since
guest who wished to congratulate the
Secretary upon his new honors. &C.
costed him with a bow, and "Ah,
Mr.. Secretary, allow me-" mo
not yet. am not confirmed" in
terp0sed the possible new Supreme
Court Justice. "Oh. but you will be,
and then, perhaps, shall not have
the chance TO-" "Let US wait
until we are sure, at any rate" he
again interrupted. 0
1t appears from a letter of the At
torney General to the Secretrry Of
the Treasury, that there is no money
to pay United States bailiffs, wit
nesses and jurors. and that the Unit
ed States Courts in several districts
have adjourned on that account, and
the Secretary is asked to press i'm.
mediately the passage of an urgent
deficiency BILL" Here is another ev.
idence of democratic economy" so