Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1889 — THE NATION’S CAPITAL. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE NATION’S CAPITAL.

PREPARING FOR THE INAUGURAL BALL—SOCIETY GOSSIP. Fashionable Circles on the Qui Tire—The Last State Dinner by Mr. and Mr*. Cleveland—Criticism of the Typical Attache of a Foreign Legation, Etc. [SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.] Preparations for the inaugural ball go steadily forward, and President-elect Harrison’s new wardrobe, ordered from Chicago, is an all-absorbing theme. Does it exclude the conventional swallow-tail suit? That is the question which is agitating the gossips quite is much as the secret of his Cabinet selection is concerning politicians. President Cleveland’s last state dinrer is a thing of the past, and Senator Ingalls was not invited. The floral decorations were exquisitely arranged and very elabor-

ate, giving the East Room the appearance of a section of tropical forest inhabited by gayly plumed women instead of birds. Parties, receptions, and dinners are the order of the day, Secretary and Mrs. Whitney leading next to thefladyof the White House iu tbeir sumptuous entertainment. Something elegant in the wav of table decoration has just been introduced by Mrs. Stanlord, of Califorrir, consisting of poii t duchesse lace, while her menu card had the flora of California in water colors for its design. Mrs. Cleveland was assisted in her public reception of the season by Mrs. Calvin S. Brice, who : e husband was Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the late campaign. She rhooi hands with 5,000 people, anxious to g j t a smile from the beloved mistress of the White House, between the hours of 3 aud 5, taking but two brief intervals of rest—just time for a glass of water. Quite a'serious accident occurred to Walker Bl ine, in alighting from a cab at Hotel NormiA.aie on Saturday, by which he broke the benes in his . r’ght leg about three inches above the ankle, but under skillful medic il treatment it is expected the fractures will soon heal. The diplomatic corps do not take kindly to Mr. McAdoo's "emphatic statement that it is a most absurd thing for the United States to send ministers to royal courts where they come in at the “tail of the bespangled, befeathered, bedizened diplomats of the world. ” The typical attache of a legation at Washington is the best all-around sponger in existence, and it is not at all agreeable to contemplate giving up a living salary where rich America is provide polisheii floors upon which to dance, and food to satisfy the veriest epicure. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, and once in a while a man of abi ity appears among the corps and women clever and handsome enough to vie with American women, and the British, Chinese, and Mexican Ministers give annual balls that equal in magnificence a rich American’s entertainment. The bachelors of the diplomatic corps are particularly interesting and averse to being called away from the honors showered upon them iu this country; for the desire to “wed a dook,” be he rake or deadbeat, is too prevalent even among sensible people. Some interesting statistics in regard to postoffice matters have been developed by the Postmaster General’s report just published, and it will no doubt be a matter of surprise to many victims of missent letters to know that over 99 per cent, of all mail matter has been distributed aright during the past year. By the way, the Senate has deferred action on Gen. Newberry’s name as Postmaster of Chicago, and the probabilities are th-at his appointment will never be confirmed. Gen. James B. Weaver has decided to permit the House to resume business, in consideration of the promise that his Oklahoma bill shall have attention.. Gen. Weaver is a blue-eyed, strong-faced, broad-shouldered man, with a drooping gray mustache, and the nervous strain by which he has accomplished the dead-lock of the House the past week has left traces of deep weariness iq his face. His filibustering tactics have not only taxed his physical powers to the uttermost, but have lost him some good friends, who believed him really working to injure the measure he ostensibly supported. The report is current that Gen. Weaver, whose term expires the 4th of March, intends himself locating thereafter in Oklahoma, but he denies the truth of the rumor. The bill will doubtless come up for consideration and some action be taken before the inaugural. The House Committee on Territories has been devoting its time to considering Utah’s claims to the honor of statehood. Mr. Richards, the speaker for the Territory, addressed it earnestly at great length. Touching the. charges that have been made in rebtion to the practice of polygamy, he declares that siuce the passage of the net of 1882 there had been but ten convictions of new plan 1 marriages, all others having resulted in cases where marriage had been contracted before that enactment, and that the Governor of the Territory had misrepresented the position of affairs. The bill for reviving the grade of Lieutenant General »r, the Army has been reported favorably, with the recommendation that the number of such officers in the entire army be restricted to two, should, the bill go through. The House will have to do some good work to make up for the week of filibustering, audits members are expecting busy times before they will be permitted to don their dress suits and trip the light fantastic at the inaugural ball, toward which all lighter thoughts now trend.

MORSE

MRS. CLEVELAND.