Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1888-01-12
FrOm our kcEuIhr toffesIuhUtl
Washington Letter.

WAsHIxGroS. ID. C. Jan. I'd, 1858.
To-day are inaugurated in Washington
the social festivities of its official world
The semi-oflcial retirement In which the
cabinet circle WAS plunged through respect
to the memory of ExSecretary Manning
was of less than weeks duration, and
therefore has not interfered with the time
honored custom of New Years day.
As on former occasions. the White
House was fragrant with floral dcora-
tons. dazzling with gas. and brilliant with
gold lace. cpaulets and rich costumes
The New Years day reception at the TX
ecutiye Mansion was instituted in the early
DAYS of the Republic. and Washington him
self. after consultation with Adams, the
first Vice President. established some Of
the etiquette which still prevails.
This ceremony, more than any other In
the United States. resembles what i called
A court. In the early days the people
rushed to a public reception In such mum
bers that the representatives of foreign II a
tinnS here complained Of being crowded
out. AMI declined tp attend An arrange
ment was then made to receive the Di-
plomatic Corps separately and shortly al
ter IL was deemed necessary 10 determine
the foreign funci ,naTie> aud our own
high officers of State Washington con
suited hi- entire cabinet ami a system OF
prrc.deucc wa, arranged which became the
foundation 81 all the onicisl etiquette ct
the Capital.
While the order of approach Ia The
( Presidential presence observed At on" "i
! ;be.,. receptions is we'll known e. many,
will mention for the benefit OF others " ho
ar, curious To learn. that the pi'ir"r> "i
/ the Cahinc, and their famiie. are hr>t "a
/ cri,cd by the President and hostess OF th'
/ White House. and then follow the III
plomatic Corps in the order 4 their >cn
! ioritv Of residence IN Washington. - That
4 il l., possible the plcnip"tru'lary from =
! Domingo may have precedence Of th'
/ Minister from tho toari of -. Jamr>
After The niplomatt>i- come the judy
of the supreme Court and then the scH.'
tor, and Representatives. officer, 81 th
Army aud Navy. and number II Govern
ment officials too varied In name 10 men
ton.
The parade in The East room to-day "a
WORTHY OF comparison for glitter and lac
with that Of many real courts. III, III
plomat> are always in court dress, IN
Judge, OF the Supreme Court sometime
wear ,heis gowns, and the ArfuN aud Nav
officers always wear full uniform Aft"
the official crowd have pass out 81"
those who have contrisci 10 al '"h'F''"'
to Sc the SIGHT. Of which ths{ = :. ~n",i
a.oo4sl aaa.asE. Is &C asin a lier~ ~l.-.
the representatives Of kings end queen
have just aired their royal decSrations-
The opposition To the confirmation O
Nr Lamar is being so well organized an
of such a determined character that 1t
quite likely final action upon the case wi
be DELAYED for several weeks II l. under
stood that sesa;qrs Sherman. EdmundS ain
Hoar will make speeches sgalpsi his con
| firmatiou and A. the democrats VII reply
there will doubtless be prolonged debate
Mr. Lamar would seem - realize his jcor
ardy. At wedding reception few day
since guest whu wished to cOugratO!at
the Secretary upon his new honofs, "a
costed him with bow. and All, Mr.
Secretary. allow me" No, no
yet | am not confirmed" intcrposed tn
possible Ley Supreme Court Justice. "oh
but you will be. and t4o., perhaps, | shal
not have the chance to 'i.ei u
/ gait until We are sure, at any rate" h
again interrupted.
/ II appears from a letter Of the AttorDe!
General 10 the Secretary vi ITpasury, tina
Z there i, no money To pay nited State
Z bailir, witnesses and jurors, and tina
the L. : Courts In several districts hav,
adjourned on that account. and ia,
! Secretary is asked 10 press immediately
the passage Of an urgent deficiency bill.
Here 1. another evidence Of Demo
cratic economy" 80 much boosted 0f s;
the last session The first business TO he
done this session is to make up dehcien-
ce>