Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-06
THE CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 3, 1889.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 1857.
To the Editor of the EAGLE.
The social season has formally begun
in Washington. The sun never shown
more brightly on New Years reception
at the white house than on Tuesday last.
The interior Of the mansion was elab
orately decorated with flowers and
palms, the inner corridor presenting q
perfect bower of green. The large east
room was wreathed in smilax, which
hung in garlands from each of the huge
! chandeliers, and the broad mantels were
banked with flowers The order of the
reception was according to the time hon
ored custom, the president and his wife,
with the cabinet ladies, composing the
receiving party, which formed in line
across the blue parior The official re-
ception began by the arrival at II o'clock
of the diplomatic corps, attired in their
gay court costumes with an abundance
of gold lace, decorations and
insignia of office. Then fol-
lowed the justices of the
supreme court, the senators and repre-
sentatives in congress, the officers of the
army and navy, the department officials,
the Oldest Inhabitants association, and
lastly the people. 1t was President
Cleveland's last New Years reception in
the white house, and no pains were
spared by the administration circle to
make it as brilliant and successful as
possible.
The Democratic attempt to steal the
two alleged doubtful West Virginia dis
tricts will fall through. Both the count
and the recount show the election of
both Republicans, and the Democrats
now concede the election of one. This
leaves Republican majority of six in
the house, for Governor Taylor has
recognized Evans in the doubtful Ten
nessee district. The only danger that
threatens is the illness or death of mem
bers, and that is remote. The only
members-elect Of the next congress who
are now seriously i'll are Messrs. Laird
and Nutting, and they were each elected
by over 500 majority.
The Democrats in the house are gradu-
ally recovering from the prostration of
November and are preparing to meet the
tariff question. They thought at the
opening of the session that the Demo
cratic senators should be able to delay
consideration Of the Republican tariff
bill until late in the session, and they
have not recovered from their bitterness
against their brethren in the north wing
Of the capitol. But now that the debate
looks inevitable they are preparing for it
with many a long drawn sigh.
A few of the southern members are
the only cheerful Democrats They will
now be able to work openly for the re-
peal of the tobacco tax, a measure so
much urged by their constituents. In
the meantime the senate tariff bill will
be attacked, first in the committee on
ways and means and later on the house
floor All the good takers and a ma
jority of the poor ones will be given
final chance to air their views or ex-
hibit their lack of them. The Demo-
cratic courage is now screwed up to the
sticking point.
President Cleveland had foretaste of
the pleasures Of private life on Christ
mas day, when he ate his dinner alone
with his wife, after an afternoon drive
to Oak View. Callers were barred for
one day, and no one admitted but Secre-
tary Bayard. All the cabinet officers
except Secretary Endicott were in the
city, and it is popularity supposed that
he can eat with enjoyment only in New
England Christmas has never been SO
noisily celebrated in Washington as it is,
for instance, in New York, and this
Christmas was no exception. Society
rules in this matter, and society is not
awake until after New Year, when the
forty days and forty nights of the deluge
Of social" events begin.
The sensational denunciations by In
dianapolis of the proposed inaugural ball
creates little trouble in Washington,
where the subject is somewhat thread
bare. 1t is remembered that certain
good and conservative people objected
when Mr.. Garfield was inauguarated to
the procession and fireworks. They
wanted the incoming president to take
street car TO the capitol, be sworn in and
get to work the same day. So far as the
bali is concerned, it partakes OF the ma
ture of public reception TO the new
president. No one goes for the mere
purpose of dancing. And if dancing is
allowed it is not a formal and
official recognition of the propriety
of dancing. The government does
not pay for the ball. The
funds are furnished by private subscrip-
ton, and among the privileges guaran-
teed by the Declaration of Independence |
is the pursuit of happiness"
The Democrats have nailed the banner
of ciuil service TO their mast. and are al f,
ready demanding that there shall be mo
removals except for cause. The chief |
cause, incompetency, exists as regards /
one half of the Democratic appoint !
ments. President Cleveland may have |
the love Of civil service in his heart, but /
from the lot of political tricksters that /
he has placed in Office. is is hard to be- /
lieve that the love Is deeper than his |
lips. c.