Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-23
NOT THE PRESIDENTS FAULT.
Why Many Congressman Stayed Away
from a Reception at the White House.

Why Many congressman stayed Away
from a Reception at the White House.
A correspondent of the New York San
writing from Washington says: 'eThe
President, for the first time, has commit
ted breach of that perfectly good be-
haviOr which has won him golden opinions
from all sorts Ofmen. On Tuesday a week
ago the President issued invitations to the
diplomatic corps, the army and navy, and
the Justices of the Supreme Court to a
White House reception, On last Tuesday
il was understood that the Senate and
House would be entertamed-the farewell
entertainment to the FOrty-seventh Con-
gress. But instead of the cards which
are invariably issued. paragraph in the
papers notifying Senators and Repre-
sentatiYes was all they heard about
it. To make 1t more of an oversight cards
had been issued to the diplomats the week
before. Now this was more than the Sem
atOrial dignity could stand. The old fell
lows, discussing it up at the capitol
Tuesday morning, got mad, and concluded
that they would stay away. The Repre-
sentatives were equally hutfed, and the
result was that it was determined to let the
President see that, although he could lead
a horse to water, he couldn't make him
drink-he could invite the FOrty-seventh
Congress TO the White House, but he
couldn't by any means make the
FOrty-seventh Congress come. The
breeze of Indignation among the SEN
atOrs and members was as zephyr
compared with the blizzard of wrath
among the ladies. They pulled and
ScOlded and harangued ever the Presi-
dents bad treatment for a whole week.
Toward the last a few weakened and
went, but the majority declined the doubt
full honor. OF course the President was
not actually to blame for the cOntretempS,
but the person who manages such things
certainly made a mistake. At O'Clock
promptly, however, the President took his
stand in the Blue ParlOr, in happy ignO-
rance of the severe disapprOval of the
FOrty-SeVenth Congress. Marshal NC
Michael stood on one side of him and
Colonel Rockwell stood on the other. Be
hind him were grouped the usual beYy OF
Cabinet matrOns who figure in the
society papers as Circassian beau
ties, with costumes like the
Queen of Sheba. The President
looked his lOveliest, and Fred Philips, his
private Secretary, could not take his eyes
off him. On his left breast n flower re-
posed; from the poetic grace of his white
necktie. down to the tender sentiment OF
his black silk stockings, he was immacu-
lately well-dressed. As the people be-
gan to appear, however, look of faint
surprise came into the Presidents
well-gOverned countenanee. 1t was
$3.50 O'Clock, and not a Senator
had appeared and but few Representa-
tiYes. Instead OF the immense crowd
which invariably attends the white House
receptions the rooms were hardly
filed. Presently a few Representa- YES
struggled in: then two or three Senator's
appeared. locking rather sheepish. BY
that time the president tnoHght he knew
what was the matter. The new Repre-
sentative was among the number. He
seized the Presidents hand when his turn
came and gave il a pump-handle shake,
The President looked at him as much as
to says my dear fellow, what do you
mean by saving my arm on that way =.
The new member, however, dropped u
suddenly to remark TO well known sena-
tor who is very deaf, ''The President has
slicked up mOre'n usual tonight, amt
hep
ssWhat did you say p asked the Sena-
TOR nufting his hand UP to his ear.
u said; exclaimed the new member, in
a loud voice, ssthat the President slicked
II am deaf" interrupted the Senators;
"a little louder if you please
1.-The President" shouted the new men,
Der, s1has slicked-"
s.Yes-yes. kicked ? 1 thought so,
told the Committee on Foreign Affairs that
If they didn't look out he'd kick. You see,
be hasn't been in Congress very long, and
these new members are so Internally
green. Oh, 1 beg your pardon. See. you
later"
Tableau.
AIT. John Randolph Tucker pretended
that he went in tit of Observation-Disclosures.
AR. Bedford went because somebody bet
that there would not be red-headed man
In the roem. Senator Tabor went because
ne had never been before, Mr.. Robinson
went TO scowl at the representatives OF
effete mOnarchies, and the rest OF them
went because their wives made them,
Well. by ten O'Clock it was all over, and
the President had time to reflect on ms
little ssshay douver,v as the new member
called the c0ntrefempS Of the evening.