Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-01-13

From our regular Correspondep


WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 1884. - Social
Washington Rlitters to-day. The SUM-
light is shut from her psrl0rs. Her
daughters from all parts Of the nation
are receiving" in most faseinRtin
colors under the soft reflection Of blsz-
ing chandeliers. Her sons are bedecked
with swall0w-tail and immaculate tie,
and order their cabs wildly around in
But it is the same old routine of the
first Of January-a custom wrought by
some COncatenati0n OF circumstances,
and one sadly carried to excess at this
social Capital. This excess il wearing
the good custom threadbare, and each
year the number Of receiving and re-
ceive1 grows smaller.
At the White House the usual pro-
gram is being played. First, the Nom
bers of tho Cabinet and Diplomatic
Corps are received, followed in sequence
by the Justices of the Supreme Court,
senators and Representatives in Con
grsss, the Court of Claims, District iu-
dietary and Commissioners, ex-mem-
bers Of the Cabinet, Ministers Of the
United States, the officers Of the army
and navy, Government head officials,
and then the great crowd of American
citizens whe pass down the reception
line in the red parlor, in single file, de-
posit their card and shake hands with
the Executive, without regard to sex,
race, age or color. This is the pleasure
of the President ON the first day Of the
new year. He is assisted by the ladies
Of the Cabinet, and on the present oc-
casion Mr.. Arthur has been very liberal
in his invitations to the wives of prom
inent public men to assist at the ExeOu.
tive Mansion. Among them noticed
MIRA Blaine, Mrs. General Phil. Sheri-
dan, Mrs. Robeson and Mrs.. Chief JUS
tice Waite.
Christmas passed quietly at the White
House. To each employee Of the house.
hold the President gave $15 and q
Christmas turkey. HE own Christmas
presents were numerous, but il ID 10 be
hoped that Christmas is not to be
marked every year by the unloading of
whole bundles OF canes at the White
House. President Arthur ID opposed to
canes, and has no use for them, gold
headed or otherwise. He received about
a. many silk umbrellas, together with
wines, cigars, etc.
Aprop0s Of gifts to the Executive,
am reminded Of little story that Q lady
prominent in social and army circles
told. She was spsoulatinR on the thou
sand and one pairs of slippers which the
lady friends of the present handsome
President send him, not to mention
other souvenirs BY the cart load. But
whether married or not, people will al
ways send presents to President"
said this lady. "One time prominent
and very wealthy lady said TO me while
Mrs. Grant vas still in tie White
House : havs just received the sweet
est new bonnet from Paris that you ever
saw. Bot it isn't becoming-isn't it a
wicked shame?-and I'm going to send
it to Mrs. Grant And she did" l
hope Mrs. Grant didn't wear it out of
compliments to the generous friend who
gave the wife of the President what che
couldnt wear herself.
The new Congressional Directory has
Just made its appearance. It i. always
looked for in Washington with peculiar
interest, because its biographical
sketches serve al sort Of introduction
Of the nsW members, whose official sta
tion at once renders them an element Of
Washington society. II tells what the
Senator's and Representatives say Of
themselves, where they were born, and
what they have done. and develops
MANY curious facts. senator Butler, Of
Hooth Carolina, is pronounced the hand
soonest man in the Senate, though Mr..
RiddlsberRsr can dispote the palm in
this respect. Senator InQAlls ID ,nsid-
the beos lOgician. Meoors. EdmundD
while Senator Vance II the finest rhet-
Il RpvH -