National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-03
A Social Dilemma.

been agitated by a question equally as
important as the deadlock in the Senate.
The latter merely affects the political
condition of the administration, while
! the subject referred to is of vital interest
| to the social status of the Cabinet, and
the female portion thereof is in a
dilemma, and knows not exactly how to
decide. Conferences have been had
among the ladies of the Ministers-for
the various Secretaries are, and should
be called, Cabinet Ministers (cide
Mrs. Dahlgren's Etiquette ") - and
even the first lady in the
land" has been consulted as to
her views upon this momentous
question. AS near as can be ascertained
the point at issue is whether the Cabinet
ladies shall return calls in person
or by card that is, calls from ladies
other than in /" official" life. The
social duties imposed upon the
wives of high Government officials are
certainly very arduous, and those
women who endeavor to do justice to
their home life often find it exceedingly
trying to meet all the eXactions of So
ciety; so if there could be way of es-
cape from some of these requirements it
would be "a consummation devoutly to
be wished"
Of course it is not expected that the
President or his wife will return any
calls That has been the custom ever
since the Presidency of the immortal
Washington, and where exceptions have
been made, and the Executive has ap-
peared at private houses, it has been
considered as an especial honor
conferred upon the individuals so ia
vored; but with the Cabinet and their
ladies it has been different. They have
been in the habit of attending the enter
tainments of citizens occupying positions
wives of the Secretaries have con-
sidered it part of their duty to return
calls from both these classes. All the
ladies of the present Cabinet have had
large experience in social life, from the
fact that their husbands have filled high
positions in other directions lex
cept in the case of Mrs. Lincoln,
and her experience was gained be-
fore her marriage, when, as Miss Har-
Ian, she was one of the most brilliant
bellies in our Washington society, and
they fully realized the tax upon their
time and physique if they should fellow
precedent in the matter Of returning
calls.
This subject has been brought to our
attention from perusal of the proof
sheets of Mrs. Dahlgren's new edition of
her book upon etiquette, in which that
eminent authority upon social matters
thus refers to this very point:
The question arises at once-especially among
people of consideration who are not in official life,
and who would thus be Observation-Disclosures they
will consent to receive partial an equivalent for
their visit While it is not TO be denied that Off
cial life constitutes leading element in Washing
ton society, yet the official however brilliant, is
after all very ephelncral that in real soiidity
of social importance the resident society must
always form essential feature, and be classed
of the very elite.
Now, this resident society has reason to be ieal-
upon the highest respectability. The peculiar in
iuences and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Ma
tOnal Capital has given it refinement and breadth,
which make it too valuable an accessory 70 be
overlooked. If ladies whose husbands occupy
official positions here fail TO recognize with due
consideration the resident social circle it is to be
feared that sufficient reason will not exist to in
duce this society to add the charm of its lifelong
training to their more transitory existence.
The fact, however, cannot be overlooked that all
of fsociety in Washington who entertain much suf-
fer from the present custom of being expected to
exchange visits % person. An emancipation,
therefore, needed more less by ALL is the subst
tuition of exchange of cards for exchange of visits
Such substitution would give more time and
fuller measure of strength for an exchange of
hospitality. If we could even claim this happy
freedom, and an exemption be mutually accorded
from the never-c -ceasing, never ending, meaning
less round of calls society life in this city would
reach its acme. Then the personal visit could be
limited TO the recognition of invitations, or as
marks of fpersonai regard for special reasons.
Ifsociety would only consent to assume that an
exchange of cards was to be considered as hut
complimentary prelude to higher exercise of
hospitality. the card would then be graciously re-
ceived. 0fcourse no one person will be allowed
to initiate such an innovation Our social customs
like our language, only be altered in their po
lite by that common consent that makes law.
1t is to be hoped that by next winter,
when the social season will fully open,
this question will be definitely settled,
and in manner that shall relieve the
Cabinet ladies Of some portion of their
burdens, and at the same time not i'm
pinge upon the tender sensibilities of
those outside the official circle, who are
vet entitled to social consideration.
THAT there will be no change in the
policy Of making a steady reduction in
the public debt under Secretary Window
from that so faithfully carried out by
each of his predecessors since the close of
the war of the rebellion, will be seen at
a glance from the following table showing
the reduction of the debt and the interest
charge at the dates mentioned:
Po,,,o.io,, Since Aug 81, Since Mar.1. Since Mar.
ee'i'' 1865. 1877. !, 1851.
Total debt.
L.,