News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1889-01-10
FROM WASHINGTON.


Mansion was deliberately decorated
with flowers and palms, the inner
corridor presenting a perfect bower
of green. The large East Room was
wreathed in smilax, which hung in
garlands from each of the huge chan
/ deliers, and the broad mantels were
banked with flowers. The order of
reception was according to the time
konored custom, the President and
his wife with the Cabinet ladies COM
posing the receiving party, which
formed in line across the Blue parlor.
The official reception began by the
arrival, at IL o'clock of Diplomatic
Corps, attired in their gay court
costumes with an abundance of gold
lace decorations and insignia of office.
Then followed the Justices of the
Supreme Court, the Senators and Rep
resentatives in Congress, the officers
of the Army and Navy, the Depart
ment officials, the Oldest Inhabitants
Association, and last the people.
1t was President Cleveland's last New
Years reception in the White House,
and no pains were spared by the adj
ministration circle to make it as
brilliant and successful as possible.
The Democratic attempt to steal
the two alleged doubtful West Vir-
ginia districts will fall through. Both
the count and recount show the cleo
ton of both Republicans, and the
Democrats now concede the election
of one. This leaves a Republican
majority of six in the next House, for
Governor Taylor has recognized
Evans in the doubtful Tennessee dis
trict. The only danger that threatens
is the illness or death Of members, and
that is remote. The only members
elect of the next Congress who are
now seriously Il are Messrs. Laird and
Nutting and they were each elected
by over 5000 majority.
The Democrats in the House are
gradually recovering from the prostra
ton of November, and preparing to
meet the tariff question. They
thought at the opening of the session
that the Democratic 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 long drawn sigh.
A few of the southern members are
the only cheerful Democrats. They |
will now be able to work openly for
the repeal of the tobacco tax, meas
ure so much urged by their constitu-
ents. Ii 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 majority of the
poor ones will be given final chance
to air their views or exhibit their lack
of them. The Democratic courage is
now screwed up to the sticking point.
President Cleveland had foretaste
of the pleasures of private life on
Christmas day, when he ate his din
ner alone with his wife, after an after
noon drive to Oak View. Callers
were barred for one day, and no one
was admitted but Secretary Bayard.
All the cabinet officers except Secre-
tary 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 Years, when
the forty days and forty nights of the
he deluge of "sociaP' events begin.
The sensational denunciations by
indianapolis preachers OF the proposed
inaugural ball creates little trouble in
Washington, where the subject is
threadbare. It is remem-
1ered that certain good and conserva-
i've people objected when Mr.. Gar
ield was inaugurated, to the process
lion and the fireworks. They want
ID the incoming President to take a
'GICSG Cal W OuC SAplIOls NC oWOlu III
md get to work the same day. So
ar as the ball is concerned it par
axes of the nature of public recep-
ion to the new President. No one
soes for the mere purpose Of dancing.
And if dancing is allowed, it is not
ormal and official recognition of the
,ropriety of dancing. The govern
nent does not pay for the ball. The
unds are furnished by private sub
cription, and among the privileges
guaranteed by the declaration of indie {
Dendence in the pursuit of happiness. i
The Democrats have nailed the t
banner Of civil service to their mast, a
md are already demanding that there !
hall be no removals except for cause
The chief cause, incompetency, exists
IS regards one half of the Democratic /
President Cleveland
nay have the love of civil service in
lis heart, but from the lot of political
ricksters that he has placed in office,
t is hard to believe that the love is
leeper than his lips.