OUR AMERICAN LETTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7223, 11 April 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR AMERICAN LETTER

On tho 4th inst. Stnpben Grover Cleveland was inaugurated President of the United States, at Waohicgton, with all tho pomp and ceremony incident to so auspicious au event, Ou the 4ih of March 1»57 James Buchanan was inaugurated President, and from the oxpiration of hi-J terra of olfko iu 1861, until the

4ih of this mouth, tho Democratic Puvty have been out in tho cold aa far as Presidents weru coacertu-d. As inuy bo supposed, the Darno crata took occasion lo calebrata their return to tha sunlight of politxil success, and the pageant was one that has only been rivalled once before in tho history of the country, that being the review of the successful Federal armies at the close of tha war of Secession. Tuere was a groat de^l of talk about returning to " Jtffersonian simplicity," but, although the President himself did not make any oulenta

tious display, tho Democratic Anangcment Committee ueemed to have entirely forgotten that tho great disciple and advocate of American Simplicity ever oxisted. The display may bo pardoned uy eveu tbo most austere JfiJ|j£has "hardly been paralleled in our histoiy. Here, alter a bard and bitter political contest, waa an entire change of ad ministration brought about by tho fact of one man's taking tho oath of office. -The policy of 25 years was overturned by that single act, aud a vast army of public officials, who had hel I power fur a like period, wore practically, politically decapitated thereby. For a long time it baa been tue custom to say timt the Republicans would Booner fi^ht thau turn over ina AdmtmsLnition aud then allow their rascalities to bo made public by their political adversaries, and if an aggressive and unscrupulous man like Bluiue had been in powar there might have boeu some trouble, but Arthur was not the man to tolerate r.n altsmpf to subvort tha will of the people. Ha is too much ot a gentleman and too public spirited a inau to shield a dishonest official by provoking a revolution. But to return to the INAUGUIUTION. The day dawned ckar aud warm—rather an uuußual thing so early in Maicb in Wadhiugton —aud f ruin earliest s'awn a great commotion was goiug on in the city. Very early tr.tins oi paadßiigercoaohea begun to arrive from all burrouudiug quarters, and continually poured their Btreams of sightseers to swell ttie already enormously largo number of visitors who were drawn together from all quarters of the Union to witness this one eveut —the inauguration of Pre ident Cleveland, Tho town was crowded with atraogert=, some of whom had come to wituess the dedication of the Washington monument, whila from that time on they have been arriving by tho trainload, coming singly, by iamiHe-7, and by club3. For four days the Commissioners bad ordered all freight trains to cease running iuto the city, bo the trucks wore given up entirely to paisengor traffic, and no great v/at this that it seemed as if the roads would be really choked up by the innumerable trams. It is estimated that over 100,000 litiangorß were ia the city, and witnessed the ceremonieß. They must have left a great deal of money behind them, becauao I can teaiify what rapaeioiu cormorants the Washington hotelkoepera and storekeepers ara whauevur oppoctunioy effora. About 10 o'clock two senators dcovo up to Cleveland's lodgings in President Arthur's carriage, down by four handsoite bays, they proceeded upstairs and broUjjUt Me Cleveland down, and rapidly drove to tho White House, where President Arthur received them in the Blue Room. After a short delay, they returned to the oarringe, and, iu accordance with custom, the retiring and the incoming Proidonc were seated side by side. Thuy proceeded to the square near the Whito House, where the procession was formed, and waiting for them, aud tho procession inovaJ down that broad and uuperb street, Pennsylvania Avenue, on which bo large was tho crowd that the police had groat trouble to clear tho way properly for tha procession, Tue street was completely packed by a throng of peoplo, fully one- bird of whom were ladies of social status considerably better than that of the rough eltinant who usually occupy the streets on suoa occasions, and it Beema as though the procession was moving between two living wails from which cheers burst as the carriogj containing the hero of the day passod along. They moved along until the capital building was reached when vhu Prtßident and Mr Cleveland entered tho building and procaoded to ths Vice president's room, where they r jinainod »ud wi< uonsod tun installation of Vica-preeideut Hendricks as tho presiding officer of tuo Ssuato. Attar thia cure mony the party proaeedod to the trout of the capitol, where au immense platform capable of seating 2000 persons had baen erected tor the accommodation of thoao more directly interested in the proceedings, while on the outside was a vast concourse of spectators, numbering fully 00,000 people, the great majority of whom were too remote to hear one word of the proceedings. At the approach of the President elect the crowd burst into cheers, which Mr Cleveland very graciously acknowledged, and precHrtßd to deliver his INAUGURAL ADDUESS, which was a torse aud well dtirvtred nketch of his ideas of policy and national government. He did not read the address, but delivered it offhand, merely gUncing at notes of the heads of his arguments. It wad not a remarkable address in any sense of the word, yet it was a good sensible epitomo of principles, and did not savour of the " spread eagleißm," so customary in American orators. At the conclusion of the address, which oooupiad half an hour, Cleveland turned to Chief Justice Waite and announced his readiness to take the oath, which the Chief Justice administered with all due solemnity upon a small Bible which Cleveland's mother hid given him when he was a boy, at the time he left home and went out iato the world to seek bia fortune. Congratulations wore then in order, at the conclusion of which the President and ex President returned to their carriage aud were driven to the White House, which President Cleveland now formally took contro of, and then proceeded to tho stand erected near the Executive mausion, where he received the procession, which, for its brilliancy, has never been equalled in the streets of the capital before, as it is estimated that, counting all tha military and civic organisations, fully 25.000 men marched past the President. The various Demticratio organisations in Naw York and the surrounding cities wero repre sentod by goodly Dirnbhis, TUB BALL.

Tho ceremonies ware concluded in the

evening by a bull and a display o\ firo>vorlM. Tho ball was held in tho new and unfinished pension building, which had been specially prepared for the purpoao, The floor was about an acre in extent, over which thousands of couples whirled in tha mazy dance. Others promenaded round the hall and formed a moving and brilliant f tame to the more brilliant centre, while from the numerous galleries and balcomsß crowds oi othora gazed down upon

the ralnbow-hued maei beneath. The whole interior of the building from tha floor to its roof, DOfc above, was profusely deoorated with streamers and evergreens, while tue lights were furni3bcd by HO immense gas burners of 500 caudlo pj iwer each. Toe ball was preceded by a lovee, held in one of tha rooms off the ballroom, at the conolusion of which the Prosideuul party made a circuit' of the ball room and participated in its pleasurco. After the Preaideut hud retired from tha levoo room, •Senator Bitard, the new Secretary of State, remained standing in the centra, talking to a few friend.', whilu the crowd, unaware of the President's w tbdnswal, kepi priß-riug in, and they ail shook b tuds with tbj votyrau statesman, thinking ha was Cleveland. Ha wits visibly tlfeaied at this mark of h'mnur, as be thought, to him, but when he found out that he was mistaken for someone elao, his retreat io said to havo baen rnoro hasty than olegant. THE FIREWORKS AND DECORATION3. The city was most handsomely decorated with bunting and flags, and so profu3o was the display that very many of tha houses could not bo eeen at all, A great deal of ingenuity was displayed, and tha result was some very unique productions, tha most striking of which was a largo floral ladder with four rounds, on tha bottom one of which was written "Sheriff," on the one above it " Mayor," " Governor," and " President," showing Cleveland's political progress, the whole being surmounted by a huge picture of the climber. The popular feature of the evening's amusement waa the fireworks, these being witnessed by the crowdß who were not "sufficiently urged" to attend the ball. The exhibition lasted for half an hour, during which a continual shower of rockets, balloons, mines, bombs, &c. was sent up, and illuminating the immense monument of Washington, produced an effect weird in the extreme. The largest set piece over fired in America, representing the Capitol building with the portraits of the President and Vicapresident on either side, flanked by mottoes and emblems, being 100ft long by -75ft high, wa3 exploded, Theae fire works were particularly intoreßting to the ntgro inhabitants, who were entirely carried r.wiiy by their enthusiasm at the demonstrations, although they are all Republicans. THE CABINET. For some time tha papara have beon taking the pains to discuss the prob He members of Cleveland's Cabiuet, and to consider their claims upon the party. This speculating on events connected with prominent menu or events i« a peculiar characteristic ef the American journalist, who, to create a sensation, does not hesitate to concoct interviews, &c., as was the case in this city with our amiable friend Sir Henry Parkes. It has often been said that tha lawyers aro the aristocracy and govern this country, and indeed it would seem to bo so to the extent that they share the honours with the newßpaper men, as Cleveland's Cabinet is composed ol six lawyers and an editor, while the Preai dent himself fc a lawyer. Toe Cabinet is formed as follows :—Secretary of State, Sonator Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware; Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; S cretary of War, William O. Eudicott, of Massachusetts ; Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New York; Secretary of the Interior, Senator L. J. C. Lamar, of Mississippi; Postmaster general, William F, Vilae, of Wisconsin; Attorneygeneral, A, H. Garland, of Arkansas. Of these Bayard, Lamar, and Garland are statesmen of long experience, and well known to the people, while Manning, Eudicott, Whitney, and Vilas aro unknown as statesmen.

Senator Bayard come3 of an old Delaware family that has figured in Amorican politics for over 80 years, his grandfather baing one of tha Commissioners to negotiate peace with England in 1813. He is a lawyer by profession, and ia an acknowledged authority on constitutional questions. Ha has served his State r.e senator for several terms, and ia known aa ono of the moat painstaking, able, and upright public men iu tho country. From tho first it waa acknowledged that there was no mau more able to fill the Premierehip of the now Cabinet than Saoator Bayard. He was the author of the dynamite outrage resolution which gave no much i,ffance to the Fenians hare.

Daniel Manning, tho Treasurer, is a eelfmade man, having eommsnead lifo &3 e printer's devil on a New York paper, from whioh he has advanced himself until he became editor, manager, nod part proprietor of it. In this ha is a typical Araoricin politician. Ho ie. an intimate friend of Tilden's, and was the man who defeated Tammany in the Chicago Convention and secured the nomination of Cloveland, sinca which ha h»3 been tho active managor of tho campaign, which, through his t;ood judgment as much aa anything elee, he brought to such a auccessf ul termination." His appointment to this most important office is a fitting recognition of his services.

William C. Eudicott ia a native of Massa chusetts, and e. lawyer by profaaaiou. Ha also cornea of a political familv, aa he is deuces led directly from one. of the Colonial Govarnora of the State, and hia grandfather was a member of Congress and Secretary of the Navy under President Jefforaon. He was a Justice of tho Supreme Court of tba State, but resigned r.nroii.-jb Mad_ hc;rJ.^V> Wir— m-J-*—>-«.* m^~i mado to gratify tne Indepundenti wbo assisted the Damocrata laßt election, Mr Clevoland showing that he would like to make them permanent Bupporters of his party and himaelt William O. Whitney, also a native of Massachusetts, has not figured in national affair at all, although he has quite a record as <\ locul politician, his greatest achievement being the organisation of the County Democracy, by means of which Tammany's hold on Now York pity was effectually broken last election, tta also is a lawyer, and is the richest man in tha Cabinet, and the society member also, as hia magnificent mansion on Fifth avenuß is the resort of all the cultured society of New York, His v/ealth was acquired through hia wife, who is tba daughter of H. B. Payne, of the Standard Oil monopoly. L. J. C. Lamar, who holds the Interior portfolio, is tho United Stales senator from Mississippi, and is probably tho most eccentric public man in America t>-day. Ho is very simple in hia tastes and habits, and has no conception of tha value of money. In appearance be is peculiar to tho verge of grimnoss, which is made more striking by wearing bis hair hanging down to bis shoulders in the [Esthetic style. He is a native of Georgia, a lawyer, and tho acknowledged leader of the Southern Democracy, He wis an ardent advocate of tha Southern cause in the "lato unpleasantness," and was sent to Russia as a Commissioner to obtain tho Czar's recognition of the Confederacy. He has nerved the people in Congress over einca the war, aud ia much respected and loved by bin constituents.

William F. Vilaß, of Winsconsin, is the only Western man in the Cabinet. He is a lawyer of prominence, and was born in Vermont in 1810, but has lived in Wisconsin since ho was 11 years old, He sarved with some distinction in lha Federal army under Sherman and Grant. He waa brought into prominence by his eulngy of General Grant at tha Iroquois Club banquot at Chicago, and was the per; manent chairman of the Democratic Convention at Chicago last year. Augustus H. Garland is a native of Tenneseee, but was " raised" in Arkansas, which State ho was representing in tha United States Senate at the time of bis being maJe Attorneygoneral. He was a man of groat prominence under tho Confederacy, and at tho close of that war he applied to the United States Supreme Court to allow him to practise before that tribunal without taking tho " ironclad " oath, or oath of fealty to the Federal Government, and so forcible and logical wbb bis argument that he brought the Court to his views, and established a national reputation for himself ae o lawyer. He has been prominently before the public for over 20 years, and is undoubtedly tho ablest member of the new Administration.

Cleveland's Cabinet has not given entire eatisfactiou to the Western Democrats, who say that Vilas is not a representative man, and claim that they should have received more recognition, Cleveland has drawn about him as many persorfal friends as h» could, and thus haß given the cream to New York. It would have been wiser if he had given more recognition to the olaims of Indiana and the other Weßtern States that did so well for the Democracy. CONGRESSIONAL AOTJON, The Cabinot uominad :.ns hav ing to be ratified and confirmed by the Senate, the Cabinet appointments boing brought before that body, flidd.oberger, who represents the repudiation element of Virginia, and who was elected by a fluke, objected to the immediate consideration of the name of Biyard, Btating that he objeoted to him because of hia attitude on the Irish question, saying that he thought him more English than American. Riddlaberger, who is a blatant demagogue, and really unfit to occupy the high position he does, hop3d by this means to ingratiate himself with the Irish, though his action may be tinged with personal envy and spleen, as Bayard handled him pretty roughly for being the only senator who opposed hia, Bayard's dynamito resolution, charging him with pandering to the Fenians while violating international law and policy. Uadorthe Senate rule the nominations went over for a day, a thing which has not hap paned for 50 years, the practice being to instantly ratify the name of anyone who has been a rnombar of their body. Tne nominees were ratified as a matter of course, and have all takan charge of their respective departments. GENERAL GRANT. It has been reported for a longtime back that General Grant "was suffering from a cancer of the tongue and throat, and that his days in this world were limited, and a great deal of sympathy has been excited for the old man, who has lost nearly all his money within the last year. There was a bill pending for some time before Congress to placa Grant on the retirod list of the army, but considerable opposition was manifested to it; this opposition, howover, was completely melted away by the sympathy excited by the roports of his fatal malady, and on the 3rd inst., just at the last gasp of the 48;h Congress, the Retirement Bill was passed unanimously by both Houses and immediately signed by the President, who transmitted it with a message to tha Senate nominating Grant as a general in the Uaited States Army on the retired list. This message was received while the Senate waa in Bossion, and was immediately ratified amidst tho greatest enthusiasm over witnessed in the sedate Situate chamber. Ever mnce this action of Congress, Grant has improved wonderfully, and his rapid rooovery causes his enemies to say that hia fatal malady was only a shrewd trick to get tha Retirement Bill passed. Howover, I would not be understood as endorsing these sontiments; but time will demonstrate their truth or falsity. PACIFIC MAIL SUBSIDT. After being defeated at tha last reading of tha bill in the Houso of Represantatives, the

Pacifio mail subsidy ciauae, enabling the Postmaßtor general to pay for carrying the Auxiruliuu mails, Was pa=oou uy EUaC uouy. Tnia ruuUaia tuo uau^uiy uovv aeuuiu, uuU vyiit piooaDly leaU to a cuuiiuuduct) ut tue Saa JftaiunMiO sorvicu. Tn.a tiauao v/aa ouo oi luo lesmta oi iVLi-Ciuigtiioj a luisoiou to Wnauagtou iu the luuiiuHi. ui luo Hjh /ijivlaud Uuvulu meut.

COiNGUEaaiO AL NOTK3.

Silver com^u is uu.v im> m.ot interest ug piouluul bululu Ooii^'iood. A vuiy u&luiUuloua n^UG 1U Uauig O.llTicU Ull u«Ul' lulo bucj Uj UdtWtlUU tuo Jju.a iUwDl'Solrd ul jNurf Vfjl'li uiili LUO Jij-OIBIU OirfidO itfeU Uitl DIIVUI lutjltioli Ui me VVodu. luo "(jom uiyo' .ao ouiio...uu.lurf cu flaw lUU Uulua^o u[ omol otuppuu uml luu COUUUy IUajJO HUlll lln l>l-luuuul»tiy Uttala, vvlnit) Ilio uilver men »io oudoavouriug to uoutiuue the coinage ot silver. This diocuo'iiu is pavuicmarly lutureatiug to tbo Pucihc Slop;}, which luraiauuii no tnauh oi thu uilvur uL tuo oouutry. THE OPERA, "Her Majesty's Opara Company" is the preteatioua title of Maplesou's troupe now playing in this city. The troupe contains l Jutti, Emma Nevada, Niccoliui, and Giannini, and is really au uurivalled galaxy of stars. Tiia craze over "La Diva Paui" in almost aa great.as at her last yidt here. Luge premiums are being paid iot tin) privilege of iJUtuQuaiDg seats to hear hoc. Tnis is advertised ad tier las; visit to our city, bo the fashionable element are making it au occasion ot great display. Tue coatum-ja aie partiiculuriy haudsome as iliey ought to be, considering tha amount of money expended for them. Every uigut the fogor oi ma tiieatre pidauuts $ sicaue ot Driliiancy never to bu furguliaa. Jfoor little .Nevada, who ia a California girl, by Iho way, haa bouu very ill, aud we havd not osen übib to listen'to our own liiguiingale who wilt bomo day stand iu Ibe olioon of Patti as "Queen of S»iig." AID FOB EL MAUDI. The Chicago Intur-Ocsau published a few days u^o vrkM it claimed to bo aa authentic statement thai; tho I'^ninu-j ware organising an army to go to the Soudau auU iwbi:-i Ei Maiidi againdt tne linliah. Xudaod I havo lor bomu liuiu back ueiud LiuU of thia sort dropped iiroiu mou whom I know ura Iji.Joio among tUd iYuian-i, but X rtgatdod thain us jokes. Tuu Intur-Uceau suys tuas thby propone to raisa two or moro ltgimjuta ui IUUO laou each to proceed to li^ail, and bay, luitiier, iu.it tiiu lltiuoia coniiageut is alicaiy lorinoU, and that ail muuey uecwtjaiy hui uaba luised. 1 hardly Doiiavo these btouoa, bui, ad Kossa u the leader tuera is uo loliiux wuat lib Might do. It it should tiu'u out iu ba ti.ua, io will bu a inatiur ol yrnvo iuteruatioual iutereut bjtween tbis country and Euglauu, and will more strongly uupport iiuj ura'o iiiola attitude. ODDS AND KN'tiy. Tha musical community iu liiia country have auliurou u gieat iood by Ib'j uunf.u oi Dr Loopolu Diimruscb, thu duuiiuuo compatiar aud airtjcLor, ut bu rodiUoaco iu iNuw Yo.-Jc, A sharper culliiig biuidolt' Ctotaiu Henry K'junedy-i'ivtruiviiki haa jmG ojou UiacoveioU ia this city, and tied to greener pabturau. Ho gikva tiiuijuli out aa a ratuiad oUisji' ui bar biajasty's servico aud u laigo lauuuwuur in Wow Zaaland. He v/aa iusroauuod to society aere by Binnor Do Vivo, who, it appbai's, uwU moC tUa " ctiptuiu :i iu AuciinuU yoiiis ugo. I'uo g.nlaiii, uoiUiar iugcuuiiMH iiim^dit iai,o ths uffectioDS of a woaltby widow, aud uverytuiog was iu rouuiaoaa waau tua " Uitpl,uiu " waa discovorud to bo au iui'aut ii'iuui, aud the match bi'ukou off. The ".Uaptaiii " ieiu'mug of baing dibcov6rad hastily lGtioatod and v/uuo dusc by tha um:gram, train, biuua v/fieu all trace ot him han uuau las:,.

j. G. ;Soots, it Now Zealand athlete, waa knocked out with boft glovou Oy Jamas ijixaajoi, oi Franca, ui; A'c.v Uiib-uw loooutiy.

Tue alimouy allowed to tlia p aintitf iu tiw cast) of Sharon v.'Sbaroa waa 2500u01. pai month since Che comuiductiiiisut ol luo suit, aud until the appeal is Ui.s|ju3jl of, aud liia counsel iuas allowed umouut to Sj.COUJoI. Tae Grand Jury have iuaiuteci JuUga Tyler, J, ii. I'yiar, jau., G-umpel, and M'LuugliUu tor i.he forgbry of lua bo^ua cooti^ut tuoutwucd iu a. ioiinn1 latter, on wiiicii thuy goi 25,000i0i from Sharon.

"Jim' lioane, the erstwhile "buated" Calitornian uidiioiuairti and Wall alreot speculator, ia said, through thu vrtgjitea of Dmuo Fortune, to ba again on h.a iai aud aoie to uiako hiuitjolf lieurd ou tha markot.

Under thd Mourned n.tuie of Ellen C. William.:), iu a little tiounu iu Emms, ucruut, (Jbicago, Lady Eiiuu Foruaouo died ou lusi, Wednesday morning, oil- vVuibui Jb'jrtescue had to leave London iulßl3oa account of some scraps, and ■wiiiia Li Hu:i bocama ajquaiiitad with Ellen, daaglner of C'a^taiu Man ay, u retired naval ortiaar. luoy wera maruSd, but the nobleman's infatuation for gambling auou regained 'ta hold, aud hia estate went to tne ilo^a. She por^uaded her husband to gather up the fragments ot bis fortune ami coma to America, wuioh ha did in ISS'J. Didaipalion Had ruiued hei hujojud'a lidaltb, buii ouey travelled for a tuin in ttiu Uo|ju of rustor ing it; but in 1862 hd diad in a small town ia VVo»t Virginia, luitviug h^r aiuuu with a baby girl a few months old. tihd taught music and savod up a tbW hundred dollaru.w.ithwhi^bj^iVlediciue Coliego ia thia city. Sue graduated and began practising. Tha loss of liar daughter iu 1873, unbingei her mind co u certain extaut, aud since then aba battled with poverty in a hopeless fight. She ditd oi apoplexy, aud tha coroner wa3 about T.o ordei; har body to u pauper's grave, when a letter was fouud sevved up in her clothes telling wiieia s* sum oi mouay couid ba found wbica dlia hid hidden up a^aiust her death. With it were found papers aud a plate with the Furtosque arms engraved upon it, and tuo atory of her ill starred lite. Captain Bedford Pym, ot Suez Caual fame, baa ii new iuoa —that is, to obUiia a copy ot every newspaper published iu thia country aud dated March 5; ulau a copy ot each weekly newspaper. Thase ho will classify by Btatea and territories, und deposit iu tbo atcnives of the British Museum.

Tut) celebrated Cardiff piant was destroyed by the burning of tha O(jo:ii-ho.i3a at Hurou, Dakota, Pa,, wh;re it was on exhibition. Attar tlia fira tba iron frame ivaa expubeii, and the plaster tilling broken up. This phenomenon, which puzzled scientists, «->s made of gypsum in lowa, carried to Cardiff, Nsw York, uuried, dug up, and exhibited aa a petrifaction.

Jacob Tebry,