The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-01-06
Washington Letter.
o. h. OLSON.
Washington, D. c. ia,

washington, ~. u. ian. 2. 1904
The advent of the year 1904 in Wash
ngton was announced in an exceedingly
manner by the most varied
assortment OF noises and sounds magma
BILE bells ringing, whistles blowing and
the rattle of drums broke clamourously
forth the instant the Naval Observatory
gave the signal that the new year had ar
rived. Many of the churches held New
Year services lasting until after midnight
and yesterday the official and church re-
ceptions were given: Before noon the
usual multitude fell in line before the
White House grounds on Pennsylvania
and at twelve the column moved forward
and was admitted into the grounds and up
into the White House, where the presi
dent executed the perfunctionary task CT
shaking the hands Of hundreds of people
whom he had never seen before, and most
of whom in all likelihood he would never
see again. He probably has a disabled
arm ;o-day as he had last new year as
consequence Secretaries Hay and Shaw
did not give public receptions this year.
Secretaries Wilson. Root. Cortelyou, and
Dewey, however received as usual Among
the interesting receptions outside OF
official circles were the Y. M. c. A. the
First congregational church, Mrs. Spen-
GERS Business College, and numerous
others. The comparative stranger here
need not feel lonesome on New Years day,
as town is practicallythrown open to the
public, and the best and most exclusive
people may be seen at some OF the recep-
tons. Army and Navy circles are much
in evidence at these receptions, and there
is nothing else SO effective as epaulets and
the society. Being mere civilian is an
objectionable offense. "Tawdry lace and
glittering arms" havea strong facination
for the elite, and though one is au fait in
the absence of the soldiery the presence OF
military or naval officer so completely
obliterates a mere civilian gentlemen
that he forgets his address.
1t was my pleasure on Thursday to Wis
it the Franciscan Monastery on Mt. St.
sepulchre, little distance beyond Brook
land, one of the suburbs of Washington
and near the Catholic University. The
sight is "a novel and interesting one. TIC
enter the monastery and to go through
the various chapels and view the alter:
and statues of the saints, the dandalabrs
land furnishings, and to enter the guam
grottos, and thence into the catacombe
4 subterrannean passages in which are re
produced the secret abodes and shrines o
prosecuted Christians in Rome, is all al
exp .rience not soon forgotten. This il
4 said to be the chief Franciscan monster.
on the continent The church connecte'
with the cloister is unique in some re
spects, and is built after the hyzantin
style Of architecture slightly modified b
!. Italian renaissance To describe in de
tail this remarkable institution would re
quire the pen of Ruskin and more spac
than is allotted to newspaper letter.
Iudee Conner returned from Iowa O
!. Wednesday evening He is elated wit
the almost universal sentiments OF en-
couragement and friendliness that ar
manifested toward him in his candidac
for denomination next year in the tent
district, and his nomination without OF
! position at the convention is regarded b
all posted on these matters to be tort
gone conclusion. The spasmodic and ha
] hearted attempts made by certain indlvit
uals to secure the nomination next sprir
are not expected to result in anything b'
{ transient f1utter of interest The Peep
of the sBig Tenth have in the pa
given evidence of being able to recognii
good congressman when they see hin
and have failed to respond to the appca
of worthy but inexperienced men to
permitted ito supplant officials who ha'
proven their capacity and acquired expe
ierce valuable to the district At I
} period in its history has the 10th distri
of Iowa been represented with great
dignity and efficiency than that whie
\ characterizes its present representation.
: Many congressman have already retur
ed to Washington preparatory to taking ,
the congressional work on Monday, aft
having spent the holidays elsewhere. al
the heretofore almost deserted hotels nc
present more animated aspect. II
. objecr henceforth seems to be to hast
4 the transaction of the routine work
8 congress and to secure an early adjour
o. ment IN order that members may partit
i. pate actively and in person in the cal
ii paign next spring. It's limited that 7