Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1886-10-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHINGToN. Oct. 8. 1856.

returned to the White House where
they are spending their time very
quietly. They take an almost daily
drive to the country house, over.
looking Washington, which the pres
ident recently bought. The heavy
rectangular stone mansion has been
thoroughly remodeled and when
completed will make an attractive
country home, if indeed, the rapid
growth of Washington win allow il
to remain long in the country.
Life at the White House at pres
ent is uneventful-there will be no
entertainments until the opening of
the regular season when the usual
number of receptions and state, din
ners 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 business, so
that he can take as much time as he
pleases for his message. Meanwhile
the heads of departments are pre-
pairing the data which he will need
in his review of their operations
during the first year of his admins
tration. 1t is needless to say that
the bare statement of the facts will
make an admission showing for all
the departments. Every body who
has nothing to do with them knows
that they never were more honestly,
economically, ably, and let it be add
ed with emphasis, courteously, adj
ministered before. eei
The season this year will be short,
but it promises to be brilliant. The
president, it is said, is not fond of
general society. He was evidently
i'll at ease, if not actually bored at
some of the diplomatic and state
dinners which official etiquette re-
qulred him to give last winter. Mrs.
Cleveland, however, lis fond of society, },
and society is thoroughly in love
with Mrs. Cleveland and her social
tastes may perhaps prove a foil to
Mr.. Cleveland's recluse disposition.
Mrs. Cleveland will be sought after
and invited here, there and every-
where, but she will be able, as mis-
tress Of the White House, to accept
very few invitations. The president
cannot accept invitations to dinners
or parties where he is likely to meet
one Of the diplematical corps; for
the president to dine out with one
minister Of foreign nation would be
to insult all the other representatives
and cause each and every one to
write polite letters to their home
governments, informing them of the
insult offered their soverelgns or ru-
lers. Here the diplomatic corps IS
invited as a body. 1t is generally
known here by people versed in So
ciety rules that II the president is in
vited no foreign representative is to
be invited. President Arthur loved
to go out to dinner parties, and he
always was enabled to tell before
hand who was to compose the party.
Cleveland has never had occasion to
inquire, because be has never accept
ed invitations outside his cabinet.
Whether Mrs. Cleveland will accept
invitations or give little entertain
ments IS one of the problems not yet
solved, but anxiously awaiting solu-
tion. She has made many friends
here already, and everyone wants TO
see moreaof her, for she is very
Ioveable woman. Mrs. Cleveland will
most likely begin her Saturday after
noon receptions as soon as it gets
cool. but those are more of an off,
cial character than social, and do not
count with society here. >
While the social season has not
strictly begun, it may be said, in
another sense, that Washington is
never out of season. 1t is pretty
full the year around. People begin
to come IN from the seashore and
mountains the latter part of August
and are an come by the first week in
September. Washington has becoHke
a very popular autumn resort. PeE
pie going south for winter always
pass through here. Each year they
tarry longer. They begin to leave
the summer resorts earlier and delay
their trips to Florida later. The
custom Is becoming common to stop
In Washington the first of October,
on their way south, and to stay sew
eral weeks. The travelling public
have discovered the attractions of
Washington as an autumnal and ear,
ly winter resort. Before these birds
of passage have flown, the social and
political season has begun. This
brings ina different set of people
representing the wealth and fashion
Of all parts Of the union; those who
are Interested in legislation before
congress and many others of liter
ary or dilettante turn who come to
make a daily study of life and man
ners, as represented at the only
great American capital. About the
time congress adjourns the process