Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-20

troneSSes "a decided innovation from
English society. 1t is usually the cas-,
that those who have little or nothing tt
recommend them except their wealth
are lifted in the estimation of their fel
lows far above those whose mental anC
moral requirements are Infinitely su
perior We are fast losing our boastet
republican simplicity, and it is more OF
fiction than fact that American
citizens stand on common level witt
equal chances of preferment.
The other day most estimable lady
the wife of one of the Representatives
from Kansas, heard visiting lady from
Baltimore ask Washington friend
whose name frequently graces the society
columns of the Sunday papers, at wha
hours the Washington ladies usually did
their shopping. This scion of American
aristocracy, whose father formerly kept
small grocery store near the outskirts
of the city, replied:
Usually betw cen II and 1; later in
the day the stores and the avenues be.
come crowded with department clerks
and it is unpleasant to be out"
This poor, ignorant, but inflated crea
ture doubtless does not know, and prob
ably never will know, that under the
shelter of these department roofs may be
found hundreds, and probably thousands
of people, of both sexes, whose intellect
ual requirements and whose traits of
character would not only compare favor
ably with, but would prove an excellent
example for these ''curled darlings' OF
society. These sneers against depart
ment people generally come from shod-
dyites and parvenues, whose sudden ele-
walton by reason of rapidly acquired
wealth has warped and perverted what
little intellect they ever had.
But | am becoming savage-let US pro-
coed to pleasanter things.
Preparations for the Inauguration are
going on swimmingly. There is a well
defined purpose to make the coming
event the greatest in American history
From the interest which is being mani
tested in every part of the country there
is no doubt that the attendance will be
something overwhelming. 1t is more
than probable that in the procession there
viii be at least $4,000 uniformed militia,
the state of Pennsylvania, as usual turn
ing out by far the larger number.
1t may not be generally known, but it
is nevertheless fact, that Pennsylvania
has the best organized body of soldiers
of any state In the Union. On the occa-
sion of President Cleveland's Inaugural
ton they turned out 800 strong. The
authorities have arranged to bring this
time fifteen regiments of infantry, be-
sides six companies of cavalry and arti,-
cry. To these will be added crack or
CARNATIONS from various parts of the
country, some notably fine ones from the
south. The most conspicuous of all
will probably be the Seventh regiment
of New York, wGch has made all its ar
for the occasion. having
chartered twenty Pullman buffet cars.
besides several cars for the accommoda-
ton of officers horses, and have secured
the finest armory here for their local ac-
commodation.
Contracts have already been let for the
decoration of the grand hall to parties in
New York and Brooklyn, and it is prom
ised that the floral and other decorations
will exceed in splendOr anything in that
line heretofore seen on this continent.
There is scarcely a family in the city
that is not making preparations either to
receive visitors or entertain strangers.
There is already a demand for advanta-
geous places TO view the parade, and the
most fabulous prices are asked and Of
fered for eligible windows overlooking
Pennsylvania avenue. have heard
of one instance in which a fur
nished residence has been rented
for one week for thousand dol
lars, SO eager are people of means
to secure adequate accommodations.
But there is no doubt that while there
will necessarily be much crowding, com
Portable accommodations will be provid
ed for all at reasonable rates.
The frequent mention of the name of
Senator Plumb in connection with a cab
met selection is not received with any of
hose covert sneers which have greeted
he names of many who have been men
joined in a similar connections: in fact,
Everybody who knows anything of the
senator, of his ability and industry, read
ly comedies that the president ELECT
night go great way farther and fare
great deal worse. But there Is no
that the l. ansas senator viii
cave his present field of usefulness for
he transient and too-oft fleeing honors
If the cabinet. 1t is not too much TO say
hat no state of the thirty-eight of which
he union is composed can boast supe-
'ior representation i'll the senate. One
senator compliments and supplements
he other, and together they are all-pow-
,rful in the senate, and shed lustre upon
he state which they represent.
1t is generally supposed that Vice
President Morton will take the place in
,fficial society here which is soon to be
-acated by Secretary Whitney and his
popular wife. The Whitneys are people
If vast wealth and admirable social
qualities, and in this way have contrib
tied greatly to the social success of
his Democratic administration. Mr.
Iorton is man of large means, but
here is nothing of the snob or aristocrat
Il his composition, and Mrs. Morton is
represented to be of an extremely anna
lie and hospitable character. 1t is likely,
therefore,, that while their wealth Will be
avishly expended, the circle which will
-ather around their household viii not
,e of an exclusive character, but will
ittingly represent the average worth OF
he capital aud of the nation.
Mr.. Morton has especially endeared
himself to local sentiment by the interest
which he has manifested in local affairs.
lie is quite large holder Of city prop
,rrv. and is now building an extensive
partment house in a conspicuous local
tv, which viii be the most imposing and
the most costly structure of
,rivate ownership in the city. This great
,uilding Is now under roof and will
,robably be ready for occupancy toward
he close Of the present year.
Something seems TO have gone wrong
With the calendar. Our winter Is yet TO
ONE. During all these weeks since
winter nominally set in we have had
carcely more disagreeable weather than
hat with which we were treated in the
nrlz- do-S Of lc.tnhar lLrisrr.,aZ al