The Portland daily press., 1888-01-30
MAINE AT THE CAPITAL.
The Social Life of Our Senators and
representatives.

Washington Despatch to the Lewiston Journal
Senator and Mrs. Frye, and Congressman
Reed. Dingley and Boutelle, with their fam
lilies, live at the Hamilton House, quiet
family hotel in the West End, fronting the
most beautiful reservation in the city, Frank
lin Square, where they have comfortable and
commodious quarters. While none of them
pretend to dispense elegant hospitality"
visitors from home cannot fail to get good
sniff of the Pine Tree State when they call.
and to feel that they are in home atmos-
phere. Senator Hale is living in bachelor
quarters on Sixteenth street this winter, Mrs.
Hale and the boys being in Europe, the for
mer now at Berlin with the family Of Minis
ter Pendleton, and the boys in school at
Weisbaden, acquiring German. Senator
Hale and family occupied for several years
the Sam Hooper mansion in III. street, oppo-
site Wormley's Hotel, plain, substantial
structure, but a trifie old-fashioned,a and their
entertainments there were elaborate and fre-
quent. The house was recently purchased
by ex- Minister Levi p. Morton, and has been
torn down to give place to block Of flats.
Congressman Milliken has rooms in private
houss adjoining the Hamilton House, where
he will be Joined shortly by Mrs. Milliken
and their daughter, Miss Maude.
During the season the social duties of the
ladies of the delegation are by no means
light. They hold their weekly receptions, at
which their card baskets will show that one
or two hundred calls have been received,
every one of which must be returned. Only
one lady at the capital, in official circles, can
evade the calling business. The mistress OF
the White House neither makes nor returns
calls. For convenience sake, suppose. tne
week is divided in its reception days accord
ing to the different localities Of the city and
the different social and official circles in
which the receptions are held. Monday, the
wives of the Justices Of the United States
Supreme Court hold their. receptions
also set apart for calls upon "Capi-
tol Hill" Mrs. Senator ingalls,, while
her husband presides over the Senate, OBJ
serves Monday as her day, possibly, how
ever, because, they are living, this winter,
upon the Hill. Tuesdays and Fridays are
Representative DAYS." upon which the
wives of members are 'at home" to their
friends. Wednesday is "Cabinet Day." and
also set apart for some PARTICULAR part Of the
city. Thursday is Senators Day." and
Saturday is reserved for Mrs. Cleveland's
afternoon reception, and for calls In the
neighborho0d Of Connecticut Avenue and
Dupont Circle.
Mrs. Frye receives on Thursdays, in the
crowded rooms. She possesses the happy
faculty so necessary to person In pubic
life, of remembering names and faces, and
her card basket shows what favorlte she Is
in society here. Mrs. Frye is usually assist
ed at her receptions by some OF the young
ladies living at the Hamilton, or by Maine
ladies who happen to De visiting in the city.
A week or two ago she was assisted by MISS
Adams of Quincy, Mass, niece OF John
Quincy Adams, who, fifty years ago, assisted
..nln In. hfc n
Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Dingley and Mrs. Bou-
telle receive upon Tuesdays, in the Hamil-
ton parlors, and make one of the most
charming tri0s one meets in the round of
calling. Mrs. Boutelle introduces her daugh-
ter Miss Grace, to society this winter. and
the young debutante has been the recipient
of much attention. / noticed she received
with Mrs. Senator Palmer, week ago.
Mrs. Dingley has with her this season
Miss Miriam Robinson, faneee Of her son.
Edward N: Dingley, who, by the way, is
| here for short visit.
OF the gentlemen of the delegation Senator
| Hale is the society man, and notice that
he Is in great demand at all the dinners, re-
| eeptions and social entertainments. Senator
| Frye much prefers a quiet hand at whist to
| the rush and crowds Of receptions, but like
| the other gentlemen OF the delegation, he
| has to take his share of dinners, and per-
form his part in the social round,
Among the foremost of the present resi-
dents of Washington from Maine, is Judge
| VIM. B. Smell of Monmouth, who has presi-
| ded over the police court since its first or
| ganization. He has proved himself terror
| to evil doers, andlin recognition of his merits
| he has been made his own successor in once
| for three successive terms. Judge Smell, be-
| sides his service upon the bench, finds time
to take an active part in the various organ
izations for charitable purposes, and the
| reclamation Of unfortunates. In this work
| IA il a1. eaaop1ad nv Mrs. Smell.
| One of the oldest employees IN the Treasury
Department, in point Of service, is Thomas
| ]. Hobbs of Berwick, one of the disbursine
| clerks of that department, whose appoint
ment dates from 1858. Mr.: Hobbs since his