The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-12-11

Il
ed that the reception appears at its best
advantage Here is very large room
-one of the largest in Washington
where society has an opportunity to
meet. There is perfect freedom aud a
general interchange of civilities. So
ciety people are fond of the White
House receptions on account of the
meeting afterwards IN the East Room
Here one has an opportunity of seeing
and talking with all of the leading peo-
pie in Washington, as he could in no
other place.
Ills RELIGION AND HABITS.
President Cleveland is not what
might be called a religious man, al
though he is a defendant of line of
clergymen. He is the first President
for number of years who doesn't re-
gularly attend church. He only goes
occasionally. He has a great respect
for religion, however, and will never
do anything to shock religious prpin-
dice. His sister, Miss Cleveland, is an
intelligent lady whose tastes are more
literary than social Yet she is very
scrupulous in conforming to all the so.
cial requirements of her position and is
very careful to respect all of the con
ventionallties. She is an easy talker,
and is nearly as accessible as her broth
| er
The President has no familiars
There is no Kitchen Cabinet under the
Cleveland Administration. 1t was
thought at the outset of the Admins
tration that some of Mr. Cleve'and's old
Buffalo friends might come on
and establish little ring about him.
Nearly every President has had near
him staff of personal friends holding
no official position of special impor-
tance, but yet influencing and CONTROL
ing his actions in very important mat
tiers. Mr.. Bssell, the Presidents for.
mer law partner in Buffalo. AMI Daniel
Lockwood, who has put Mr. Cleveland
in nomination for all of the offices he
has ever held, visited Washington dur.
ing the spring. 1t was thought that
these two men would remain at the cap.
ital and that they would be the leaders
of the Kitchen Cabinet. Whatever
may have been their intentions, this re-
suit was not reached.
The only confdant that the Presi-
dent has outside of his Cabinet advls
ers is Col. Lamont, his private secre.
tary. This gentleman is a very dis
Greet young man, with wide political
experience in New York State affairs
and with very good training in the
Tilden school of national politics. He
is one OF the, most reserved of men and
has excellent judgment. For the first
time in many years the position of pri-
vate secretary to the President is held
by man who is on something of a
confidential equality with the Presi-
dent Whenever the President leaves
the White House Col. Lamont has to
go with him. He is his constant com
panion in his daily rides and is con
suited as frequently as any of the Cab
met officers. He is one of the few pri-
vate secretaries who is thoroughly con.
versant with what is going on in the
White House. The salary of the pri-
vate secretary is only S3,350 a year. 1t
is insufficient for the place. 1t has
been at several times proposed to raise
the salary of this position to $4,000 or
$4,000 a year, so that the President
could offer the place to some one who
could act as his daily adviser and CON
tidant. 1t is not every day that man
OF Col. Lamont's ability would consent
to sacrifice his personal interests to
serve President in this position
Col Lamont is not very tall himself
so he sits in an immense arm chair that
he screws up TO the top like piano
stool. His visitor sits in low otto
man like char, so that no matter how
tall the caller may be Col. Lamont can
look carelessly down upon him from
the elevated seat. The Colonel still
sticks to his old Albany habit of call
ing MIR. Cleveland "Governor" when
they are close together, and the Presi-
dent familiarly calls his private secre-
tary 'Dan.'
| THE SOCIAL SEASON.
After the regular New Years recep.
ton the President gives from time 10
time several evening receptions. The
first are generally card receptions, tc
which are invited the prominent Off,
cials of the capital. One or two recep.
tions are generally given to the public
but as the hours for these receptions
are limited from eight to ten, and only
a certain number of guests are admit.
ted at a time, the White House itseli
is never uncomfortably crowded. The
discomfort in such cases is found in the
struggle to be admitted. Upon suct
reception nights the officials and friend,
of the President are admitted to til,
White House through rear entrance
where they can come in without any
discomfort. The lady of the White
House, after Jan. /, receives formal,
after 3 o'clock in the afternoon of Sat
urdays. She is always assisted by &
number of ladies selected from her per
sonal friends and the families of the
officials. These receptions continue un
til 8 o'clock. The ladies who assist are
invited to remain to lunch with the
hostess. 1t is also customary for the
| ASSiuOht w give stNCIdl slilGI ultl-
ners during the winter. The Presi
dent must give dinner to the Dplo
matte Corps, and this dinner include,
the chairman of the Foreign Affair.
committees in both Houses of Congress
He also entertains the Supreme Court
and the chairman of the Judiciary com
mittees. After he has gotten by thi,
point he is expected to give dinners tc
the leading Senators and Members
Gen. Grant is the only President OF
modern times who has during a tern
OF Congress entertained every individ
ual member Of it and his wife if he had
one.
An invitation to the White House is
supposed to override all others. 1t i,
not considered polite to decline any 10.
vitaticn of the President unless for rea
sons of illness or some other equally
good cause. a register is kept at the
White House of all invitations sent our
by the President during his term. Thi.