Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-01-16
Held over from last week.
WHIRLPOOL IN WASHINGTON.

Western Kansas World Coryasboudence
WASHINGTON, Jan. l, 1885.
This was great DAY to the social world
of the capital. It inaugurated the festivi.
ties of the season, and the leaders off:.sh.
Jon hsss waited for it anxiously. The
-, wheneceptiop at the executive man
40h was well attended and the program
was the same that it has been for years.
The president demonstrated the fact that
he has a strong right arm, at least. He
made about sixteen handshakes minute
for three hours, and confessed, after it
was all over, that he had had an easy
time.
The members of the cabinet were re-
ceiyed first by the president Then came
the diplomatic corps in all the grandeur of
their conrt attire, gold lace, bright vel
vets, sashes, stars, and other shining in
sigma of Office. The supreme court came
next followed by the various courts of the
District Of Columbia, and commissioners
of the district. Then there was recep-
ton Of senators and members of congress,
olIicers of the army and navy, various de-
psrtment officials, and civic organizations,
and lastly, but not least in number, the
people.
Among the other official receptions,
was the usual breakfast given by the sec
rotary of state to the diplomatic corps.
The foreign representatives. went from
the White House to this entertainment, in
full dress, but later, when they started out
for general calls, they wore citizens
morning attire, frock coats and silk hats.
On leaving the White House many of
the officials, and nearly all the officers of
the army and navy began round of calls
through the city. General Sheridan and
his staff had greeted the president in the
full regimental dress of their rank. The
general, accompanied by some of his aids,
made all the calls of the day in full uni
form. Other officers, especially those
who went around on foot. assumed citi-
zens' dress on leaving the official recep-
ton, preferring not to be conspicuous on
the streets.
Ladies, in evening dress, received their
New Years callers in gas lighted parlors.
Lunch tables were IN order, but no liquor.
For several years the leaders of society
have favored the disuse of spirituous
lionors as feature OF New Years hospi-
tality. The change may be said to have
been instituted by Mrs. Hayes when she
determined to exclude wines from the
date dinners at the White House.
In Washington the venerable custom
Of New Years calling win not die out,
fhoagh il may become obsolete every
where else. The peculiar formation of
society here viii tend to preserve it. In
no other city Of the country canthe ladies
hold an annual review OF diplomats, war.
liors and atsiAsmen in their official splen-
dor. Az these gentlemen are obliged to
don their gorgeous vestments in the line
Il duty at the White House and other
places on New Years day, it is pleasant
Tor them to supplement their official calls
by making q round among their circle of
lady aoquaintanoee. n is any easy way
a paying social debts and everybody
seems to like it.
The observance OF the New Year began
here nth the closing Of the departments
q noon On the dsy before. Services were
Nd q mSny OF the churches and the old
ia year wss watched ont while the new
- welcomed With services Of prayer and
80. AZ midnight the Metropolitan
olnsclr chimes rang out the old and rang
r lhe new. The midnight hour was
Nh On tbs large ball. and then an elab-
- rGpggnn q joyful music was played
~ hense which the old year
- I'm TIE ex6cufiye