Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-16
SOCIAL LIFE IN WASHINGTON.

The Mistress of the White House Neither
Makes Nor Returns Calls
It is the DAY visiting, says a Washing
ton correspondent of the New York Sun
that puts the last straw on society's tired
back-the calling business which can
only be evaded by one woman in official
circles. The mistress Of the White House
neither makes nor receives calls. The
mistress of the White House, be she in
clined TO gayety or not, has an easy
time as compared with the wives OF
Cabinet officers and wives of Senators.
It is true she shakes hands with many
people on stated occasions. But the
occasion need not be frequent, and this
year they are not frequent. The wife of
Cabinet officer or wife of Senator is
expected to open her house to the public
every week on stated day. The card
Of the visitor does not make these re-
ceptions less public in the numbers of
strangers with whom the hostess shakes
hands-s5ranger she has never before
put her eyes on, and may never see again
In the long run she does as much hand
shaking as the mistress of the White
House. Then there are the dinner par
ties. many all through the season, and
there are evening receptions, with elab-
CRATE suppers or refreshments for sever
al hundred guests at one time. Ali this
the wife of a Cabinet officer Is expected
to do, and then comes the last straw IN
returning calls. IF the Senator is we'll
known, If he has his own house here, and
if people like him and his house, there is
almost demand IN the expectation that
he will entertain. It is the same with the
Cabinet officer. II ne shuts himself up
in a boarding house, and lives on his
salary, there are no great expectations
by She people. But if he once shows his
hand as a true host in his own house, then
he is in for all that society demands to
make society happy.
Now. on the contrary, the President
NAV do very little besides the handshak-
ing at official and public receptions. He
need not serve refreshments if he does
not choose, even at official receptions,
when guests are really guests by card
invitation and the mistress of the White
House is absolutely independent, and
may do very little unless she herself
wishes to do great deal. Nobody finds
fault with her if SIZE receives every Satur'
dav through the season. Nobody 1nds
fault with her if she receives every other
Saturday. or three or four times in a
winter. No womaR in the official life Is
so seldom criticised as the mistress of
the White House. OF course her sun sets
when she leaves the portals behind her.
But while there it is the brightest of all
suns. It is mistaken idea that the
Presidents sister has a "hard place"
while mistress of the White House. Ger
tain restraints and laws of etiquette make
her life in the White House somewhat
unnatural. But it is, on the whole, an
easy, pleasant life. And to search tie
land ever, no woman could be found who
would decline TO be mistress OF the White
House.
Formerly Presidents gave more public
receptions in the evening. President
Arthur began the fashion OF three off
cial and one public reception for sea
sou. President Cleveland followed this
rule or fashion, and so far has made no
change. But his tri-weekiy handshaking
with the people in the East Room takes
in part the place OF evening receptions
to the public. And all strangers IN the
city on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
may meet the President in the big East
Room at 1:3O O'Clock.