Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-10-15
HAsHINGTOx LETTER.

Washington D. G.. Sept. 81. 1886:
The President and his family have
returned to the White House where
they are spending their time quietly.
They take an almost daily drive to the
country house, overlooking Washing
ton, which the President recently
bought. The heavy rectangular stone
mansion has been thoroughly remodeled
and when completed will make an at
tractive country home, if indeed, the
rapid growth Of Washington will allow
it to remain long in the country.
Life at the White House at present
is uneventful-there will be 40 enter
tainmeats until the opening of the Greg
ular session when the usual number of
receptions and state dinners will be
given. The President will begin the
preparation Of his annual message at
once, so as to get it outlined at least
before Congress comes back. He has
few visitors now and no pressing bust
ness, so that he can take as much time
as he pleases for his message. Mean
while the heads of the Departments
are preparing the data which he will
need in his review Of their operations
during the first year Of his administra-
ton. 1t is needless to say that the
bare statement of the facts will make
an admirable showing for all the De.
partments. Every body who has any
thing to do with them knows that they
never were more honestly, ecenomi-
cally, ably, and let it be added with
emphasis, courteously administered be
fore. s., 81.
The season" this year will be short,
but it promises to be brilliant The
President, it is said, is not fond OF gen
eral society. He is evidently i'll al
ease, if not actually bored at some Of
the Diplomatic and State dinners
which official etiquette required hin
to give last winter. Mrs. Cleveland
however, is fond os society, and society
is thoroughly in love with Mrs. Cleyc
land and her social tastes may perhaps
prove foil to Mr.. Cleyeland's reclust
disposition. Mrs. Cleveland will b'
sought after and invited here, ther
and everywhere; but she will be able
as mistress of the White House, to &C
cept very few invitations The presi
dent cannot accept invitations to din
ners or parties where he is likely to
meet one of the diplomatic corps; TO
the President to dine out with on
Minister Of a foreign nation would b.
TO insult all the other representative
and cause each and every one to writ
polite letters to their home govern
ments, informing them Of the insul
offered their sovereigns or rulers. her
the Diplomatic corps is invited as =
body. It is generally known here b
people versed in society rules that
the President is invited no foreign reT
resentative is to be invited. Presiden
Arthur loved to go out to dinner pal
ties, and he always was enabled to te
beforehand who was to compose th
party. Cleveland has never had occs
sion to inquire, because he has neye
accepted invitations outside his Cab
net. Whether Mrs. Cleveland will al
cept invitstions or give little entertain
ments is one Of the problems not II
solved, but anxiously awaiting solution
She has made many friends here .
ready, and every one wants to see MOI
of her, for she is a very lovable won
an. Mrs. Cleveland will most likel
begin her Saturday afternoon rece
tions as soon as it gets cool, but tho'
are more of an official character ths
social, and do not count with socle'
here.
While the social season has n
strictly begun, it may be said in anoth
sense that Washington = never out
season. It is pretty full the .ye
around. People begin to come in fro
the seashore and mountains the latt'
part of August and are all home by d
first week In September. Washingt'
has become very popular Autumn I
sort. People going south for the wi
ter always pass through here. Ea
year they tarry longer. They begin
leave the summer resorts earlier al
delay their trips to Florida later e
= custom is becoming common to st
in Washington the first of Octobt
on their way south, and to stay sever
- weeks The travelling public have d
covered the attractions of Washingt'
as an atumnal and early winter resol
Before these birds of passage ha
flown the social and political seas
has begun. This brings in a ditfere
set of people representing the veal
and fashion of all parts Of the Unic
those who are interested in legisIati