Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1889-12-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
iFrom Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 1889.

Washington. Nov. 30, 1889.
Thanksgiving Day was observed in Wash
ington with til. usual ceremonies aud the
usual refraiuing from business pursuits
Oi course. the day IS not here what it is in
New England. hut still the gathering oi
families uader the old roof tree becomes
more customary from the number of north
crn and western families that have built
houses here in the last few years. The idea
of u boarding house is Incompatible with
Thanksgiving; in fact, the real observers oi
Thanksgiving always offer up "A prayer ol
pity for the outcasts in boarding houses.
Thus. 50 long as Washiugtoa remains II
city Of boarding houses, the blessings ol
Thanksgiving will be restricted To the few.
The boardisg house turkey is "a monde
script bird, aud the boarding house mince
pie nightmare.
There was less drinking yesterday than
have noticed on any previous hoiniay ~
Washington. In fact, the heavy drinking
as it was few years ago. when not one
half the employees could oe found ut theii
desks on day following holiday. Stricte,
rules are largely responsible for this. The
increased consumption Of beer and the cor
responslingly decreased use of whisky has
also worko. its part of the rcform.
The president attended divine service nj
the Church Of the Covenant, and later in tn,
day discussed one of those big turkeys the
Connecticut Farmers spend anxious hours
pushing buttercd walnuts into, until the TAT
shakes as they walk. The sky was leaden
and the air raw and damp as the president
stepped into the church, aud il he saw any
thing to he thankful for his sombre face did
not show it. Perhaps he WAS thankful Ia
he alive. The family seated around the
White House board later in the day was
the largest that has been gathered there IN
forty years. The only missing figure was
that of Russell Harrison.
secretary Nobe and his wife and niece'
dined at home. and the circle was not en-
lar.ed by guests. The Tracys followed
their example IA, did the family of Secrs
tary Hu-k Secretary Miller, wife and
daughter were the guests of Maj. Claus
Secretary Window spent the day in Brook
lyn. The Wanamakers gave IA big Thanks
giving party at "I.indenhurst," their eoun
try seat.
The honorable, the commissioners of th,
Dist rict of Columbia. are distinctly un
happy. The local prohibition element
asked these gentleme. to restrict, in thu
granting oi licenses for the ensuing year
the number of saloons as far AS possible
out of tins suggestion some one evolved th'
brilliant idea of restricting the number -
barro"ms in any square to four. ENaetl,
how the sheep should he chosen from th'
wolves in such eases was not deemed %
sufficient importance to furnish an objec
tion to the new rule. The rule WAS adopted
and now the commissioners are trying t.
enforce it. Among the first licenses granted
in squares having an excessive number %
bar-rooms were licenses To places notorious
for violations of law-places that pay n,
attention to the sunday and after-mid
, night c,o-ia. iaT. Saloon keepers on th'
same square who close promptly and keeI
orderly places have been ignored. In th'
emergency the distillers and Wholesale deal
ers Of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Louisville
aud other cities have come forward ant
will eudeavor ~ enlist the cooperation %
"a sufficient number OF senators To he abl'
to- show the new commissioners that unle-i
they retract the new rule they will fail -
confirmation by the senate. II the com
mis,ion.rs wish to lie the true friends T.
temperance they will cl.se up every plac
ia the city that has been convicted durin
the past year of violating the law, or cai
now be proved to have violated it. Tn
/ people will not be hoodwinked 10y the sub
-,itution Of any other srhene of reform.
4 S2Jo 900 suit for Islander would no
| add "a bet ter relish to most mems turkeys
but certainly the fact that Samuel Stron
/ had flied such suit against him .n Wednes
day di. not affect thc cheerful spirit "f Bei
Butler The Butler Strong legal wrangle j
IA famous one. Gen. Butler brought sui
against Mr.. strong several months ago fo
IA considerable sum of money. which he as
serted was due him as contingent couns'
fees out oi the award made tn Mr.. Stron.
The suit had some highly spicy features
among which was the production of doc
ument, purporting to be signed by t'ei
Butler, in which he agreed to accept n niue
smaller sum than that claimed in the sui
Gen. Butler denounced this document as
forgery, and Mr.. Strong nov sues.