The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1889-01-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Holiday Season The Cost of
the Inaugural Ball-Other
From Our Regular Correspondent.

NOTES.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2,--The holi-
day season proper closed most bril-,
liantly yesterday, though to society
New Years Day is but the prelude
to the fashionable season of gaiety.
The Executive Mansion was stormed
by the crowd. as is the time honored
custom. Long before IL o'clock,
when the reception Of the Cabinet
and Diplomatic Corps began, the road.
way and adjacent street were crowded
with carriages and the sidewalks
with curious throngs, The day was
perfect, and the sunshine danced de-
lightedly and impartially on the tin.
sci of ficers the jewels of fair wo
men, the decorations OF the Mexican
minister, and the bright silks Of the
Chinese envoy. Inside, .he blue,
green and red parlors we're banked
with flowers, and only the great east
room retained its every day appear
ance. Caution had spread linen
crash over the carpets everywhere, as
o protection from soiled shoes, but
that was the only indication that
every guest was not expected to come
in his own carriage. The Marine
hand was in full force, ready TO dis
course an avalanche Of national airs.
Best of all. Mrs. Cleveland was
there. surrounded by the wives of'the
Cabinet officers and their guests, the
wives ofmany Senators and the Ia
diss1Of the Supreme Court circle, all
in full dress, as brilliant an assembl.
age as one is apt to see even in Wash
ington. Certainly the administra.
ton goes out bravely, and if Presi-
dent Cleveland did looked bored and
tired before the reception was over,
he only showed physical wesrinsss.
After the Cabinet and the Diplo
matte COrps-the latter headed by
Minister Romero-had gone, the
Chief Justice and his associates aad
the minor judges were received. Seu-
ators and Representatives followed.
Next came the officers Of the Army,
headed By Brig Gen. Benet, who in
the absence Of Maj. Gen. Schofiisld,
on account Of his wife's death, was
senior. The. Naval officers followed
and then came minor bureau officers.
The Grand Army took its turn. And
finally came tue public. The latter
was in full force. There were
tourists, anxious TO see the President
and take him by the hand, and PEG.
pie who went because It was q free
show. TIE crowd pushed and jam
med, and had to be held back by the
police. Finally the hour for closing
the reception arrived aud the doors
were shut This brought complaints
from the crowd which bad not yet
been able 70 gain admittance. and =
prayer Of Thanksgiving, I imagine,
from the President.
With the dying year come up the
faces long familiar TO Washington that
vanished in 1883 First ia the
ghOstly procession comes the inperi.
Gus and imperial Conkling. Next the
military figure Of General Sheridan.
Then the robsi form Of Chief Justice
Waite, The crowd grows. tx al.
torney General Bresster, DIR. Cor
nelius AgDsw, General Alexander,
Rear Amiral Simpson, the banker
Riggs, the philanthropist Corcoran--
these ATE but few Of the people best
known in Washington Who lied du-
ring the year just passed. Tie GOOD
die first, and only a few ancient sin.
ners like Ben. Butler remain sternally
young to stikiDgly demonstrate the
the edsge.
The inaugural committee rises to
explain that the ba Of March 4.h. will
NOS cost 100000, but only go, 900.
And the COMMITTEES wants il UNDER
stood further that the affair costs the
government nothing. being paid for
By subscription. No opposition 10
felt among Washington clergynen,
but the letters Of objection from
western preachers are numerous. The
local Defenders Of the ball hold that
tho dancing ID o subordinate matter,