St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-01-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
New Years Receptions Contested Seats
in the Senate and House-PrOpOsed
Changes in the Navy Dept-GOssip of
the Capitol

Since the seat of government was
removed to Washington, the Pres
dent and wife have held New Years
receptions at the White House. Pres
and Mrs. John Adams dispensed a
very generous hospitality in 1901, al
though the east room, then unhnish-
ed and unfurnished, afforded her an
excellent place to dry their
clothes in the winter and smaller
room answered the purpose at that
time for the reception, but due form
atty and dignity were observed on
the occasion. Later when the man
sion was being repaired after the
burning by the British, receptions
were held in the famous Octagon
House on 18th and New York Ave-
1t was found that the scramble for
refreshments brought too heavy
drain on the Presidents private purse
and they have been given up since
| the Van Buren, administration for
the public at large. Colored people
have been seen in the line of visitors,
since the emancipation proclamation
went into effect Jan. 1, 1868. The
observance of the day has become
quite general here since it became a
legal holiday under the act of 1870.
1t is a time honored custom to as
sign different hours for the reception
of the diplomatic corps, Senators,
Representative and United States
supreme court and the various mill
tary and naval officers and societies,
before the house was open to the
whole community. The Misses Sarah
Duncan and Grace Mckinley, neices
of the President and wife, are spend
ing the holidays at the White House.
There were not as many receptions
at private houses this year as usual
but many ladies united with the So
cleties and organizations to which
they belonged and kept open house.
The weather has moderated, after
the severe cold of about a week.
Congress has reassembled. Not
withstanding the committee on cleo
lions has decided adversely by a vote
of 4 to 3 on Senator Chambers resolu-
ton to admit Senator Quay of Penn
sylvanla, to the Senate, his friends
still hope that he may be admitted.
Senator Burrows OF Michigan sides
with the democrats against the reso-
luton, while Senator Hoar is on the
affirmative and the two are expected
to make reports next week. The
case of Senator Clark of Montana
has been opened before the committee
on Senate elections. Marcus A. DAILY,
the political enemy Of Senator Clark,
a very wealthy man, has employed |
three men to oppose his admission to
the Senate. Ex-senator Edmunds
opened the case and outlined the arg
and it promises to be re-
markedly interesting case and wit
nesses will be summoned to prove
the corrupt use of money by bribery,
while Senator Faulkner claims that |
personal envy and jealousy were the
real occasion of the accusation. 1t
therefore is more of private than a
public prosecution, for Mr.. DAILY, |
who controls the great Anaconda
mine, is bitterly opposed to the eleva-
ton OF Senator Clark to any leader
ship as evidenced in the congressional
election of 1888 or the senatorial |
contest of 1898. The petition filed
claims that 16 citizens of Montana
and 38 Of the senator's and represent
atives Of that state are charged with |
felony. This case will create great
interest in all circles from the wealth |
and prominence of the men, and as a
test case of the kind, and the array
of legal talent employed. Mr..
Roberts of Utah was about 5 hours
before the committee upon Friday,
arguing his case to a right in the
House of Representatives. He de.
clares that any constituency has
right to decide upon the moral status
of its representative to Congress.
There seems to be considerable re-
joicing and congratulations upon
what is termed the "open door"
policy with China-as regards our
commerce with that country.
There seems to be quite an excite
ment about the pardon of the two
men, Wilkins and Butler, who VIC.
lated the law by traffic in oleomar-
garine. Protests have been sent the
President against pardoning them.
lfthere is any doubt about the arti.
Gle, sample can be sent to the Agri