The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-01-04
WashfmgtoE Aetaer.
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WASHINGTON, d. c, Dec. 81, 1888.
The Christmas time l., unusually quiet
and orderly in Washington. The Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland ate their Christmas
dinner alone, and everybody did likewise.
Even large family gatherings were rare. l
hope that the g~alvanic cook who is always
trying to interview some one about 'Mees-
ter Harrison's palate vas kind to "Mees-
ter' Cleveland on Christmas day, but
doubt il. His great gastronomic mind is
ixed upon the future. To Washington
New Year is everything. Ga this blessed
day the high and mighty pay their respects,
in strict order of Importance, to the Presi-
dent, after which tie mob can rush in at
the public reception. Patient, common
people may even staTfl on the sidewalks
and see fine gowns and uniforms galore.
There are women otherwise sensible, who
have not missed the public receptions since
Lincoln's time. Every New Years day
they spend half a dozen hours in the mad
dening, pushing, pulling thfong that packs
the rooms to suffocation. And then they
go home perfectly happy, with ruined
dresses.
The certificates from the Third and
Fourth districts of West Virginia and the
Third district in Tennessee are not yet in,
and there is no prospect of full returns I'M
der ten days. The latest advices from Ten
nessee are to the effect that General Taylor
will give the certificate in the Chattanooga
district to the Republican. Both the re-
count and the original returns in the West
Virginia districts are said to show the cleo
ton of Republicans. The Democrats claim
one West Virginia Congressman. In the
event of such a showing the Republican
majority in the House will be four, leaving
out the Chattanooga district, in which case
the certificate, the Democrats state, APP
pears to be informal.
The tremendous struggle for Office has
reached the masses. Not only are Repub-
Iican Congressman overwhelmed with APP
plications, bdt even the mail of local claim
attorneys is loaded with inquiries and re-
quests for advice as to applications. One
man wants to know how to get a post
leadership; another wants 4 star-route
mail contract, and Thousands want to be
post-masters. Many rural preachers are
anxious to be in the diplomatic service,
probably from a vague idea that there is a
relationship between the minister diplo-
matte aud the minister clerical. A New
York man writes to know if lie can get the
post Office at his place before the middle of
next April. But the most sublime conf
dence is exhibited by an Indiana man.
''Do you think it will be safe" he writes,
sfor me to move to Washington before
March 4th, and be certain of a place by
April 1st." There are innumerable appli-
cation for Departmental ''Blue Books"
from which the applicants desire to select
their berths.
The Republican Senator's from the west
appear to be a little disappointed with
their party's tariff bill. The bill was
hastily prepared as a campaign measure,
and such Senators as Mr.. Henderson do
not hesitate to say that the eastern capt.
talists obtained undue influence as to GER
tain articles. Senator Stanford objects to
the sugar clause as injuring the sugar eul-
ture in California. Altogether, it is quite
probable that the bill will undergo many
material changes before it suits all the