The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-01-06
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l, 02.-[Special'I- i
The presidents official new year reception
was one of the most brilliant and largely
attended eyer held, the new decorated
white house adding no little to the bright
ness which pervaded everything. These
receptions always attract large crowd,
aside from those who take part in them,
for at no other place can so many celebri-
ties be seen at one time. The reception
began at II o'clock. the carriages going In
at the east and out at the west gate and
passing through lane Of closely packed
spectators, extending nearly square from
each gate. First came Vice-President
Morton and the cabinet headed by Secre-
taiy Blaine; then the diplomatic corps,-a
Of the foreign ministers and atsaches
wearing the uniforms of their rank and
their breasts covered with decorations be-
slowed upon them by their own or other
governments. The supreme court and
other United States court judges came
next, followed by senators and representa-
tives In congress, ex-ministers and ex-
members of the cabinet, Then came the
brilliantly uniformed officers of the army
navy and marine corps, followed by officials
only grade or two below members OF
the cabinet. Next came the grizzled faces
of the Associated Veterans Of the Mexican
war, closely followed by the Grand Army
OF the Republic, the Loyal Legion, and
the Oldest Inhabitants association, OF the
District OF Columbia. The rest Of the
time until o'clock was taken up by plain,
everyday citizens VINO wished to extend
the courtesies Of the day to our chief
magistrate.
Vice President Morton left as soon as
he had been received by the president for
his own residence, where reception be-
gan at 12 o'clock that was as near dupli-
cate Of the one at the white house as the
attendance OF all the same people could
make il.
In spite Of all stories to the contrary
Gen. Nelson A. Miles says, and he Ger
tainly knows, that he did not come TO
Washington under official orders and that
IL was the marriage OF Miss Rachel Sber.
man, a cousin OF bis wife, which brought
him and Mrs. Miles here. Some extra en-
terprising purveyors Of sensational news
had assigned Gen. Miles to the command
of an army that was being made ready to
invade Chile.
The schedule Of the articles embraced
in the reciprocity treaty with Great Brit
ain for the British West Indies was made
public this week, and II Is regarded with
mingled praise and wonder-praise be-
caase Of the benefits certain 10 accrue
thercfron TO our farmers and manufactu-
rers, and wonder that England should
have been persuaded to give us 80 much
OF the trade that she has practically mo-
nopolized for many years. One OF the
commissioners, on the part Of the colonies,
who negotiated the treaty, said that Eng-
land never did anything more unwillingly
than authorizing the negotiation OF this
treaty, but It was recognized that the
American market was absolutely necessa.
ry TO the colonies and that Il would be
closed to them unless satisfactory conces-
sions were made.
Secretary Elkins took formal charge of
the war department yesterday, and his
Office was crowded all day with friends
who called 20 tender their congratulations.
The Democratic members Of the house
are beginning to realize that they have
been indulging In some wild talk about
making wholesale reductions In the annu.
al appropriations, and they are already
hedging on that subject. II is an easy
matter for anybody to criticize the total
amount appropriated by the last congress