Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-02-27
Washington Letter
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. FEB. 18th, 1890.

Leut is upon US ana We lOok DdCk OIL
one Of the shortest and one Of the sad.
dest seasons that Washington has ever
known. 1t was ushered in with sorrow
IN the White House circle. Every one
wondered for awhile what effect the
death Of Mrs. Harrisons sister would
have on the gayeties. but they were not
left in doubt long. Mrs. Harrison put
aside her private grief and stood by her
husban Is side, servant Of the people.
The official receptions went on, and
Vanity Fair smiled because she would
not be cheated OF a gay winter. But
again the hand of death was laid on the
official circle, and the Secretary of State
was this time the stricken one. But
with his customary unselfshness he In
sisted that no change should be made
in official entertainments on his account
and society with its duties a little quiet.
err, because of the shock Of the loss of
one of its most brilliant members. On
" a little while and the Secretary S
daughter was stricken down, and while
every one was giving vent to their sor-
for him one of the most terrible TRACE
dies the Capital has ever known took
place. No wonder after this last blow,
that all gayeties, as if by common con-
sent, ceased, and with the Tracy fire the
season came to an end. Circumstances
combined to make the season less gay
than the Indications Of last spring had
promised. But there has been no lack
of dinners and RECEPTIONS, and the Cab
met did Its share of entertaining.-
Mrs. Morton as was expected, took at
once The first place, which every one,
because of her wealth, position and so.
cal pace. There could be no doubt of
her success. Personally attractive, a
thorough woman Of the world, with un-
limited wealth at her command, and
very fond of life, there We're no stumb'
ling blocks in her way.
Official life at the Capital is tremen
dous test of woman's cleyerness, and
tact more than intellectually. Vanity
Fair does not demand or appreciate
words of wisdom, but something bright
and above all agreeable. Mrs Morton
has been here long enough for it to be
known that he possesses that talent Tor
remem bcring people and placing them
at once in their proper inches tor which
Mrs. Hamilton Fish was famed, and
which a ided to Mrs. Cleve,aud's and
Mrs. Whitney's popularity.
In official circles The Wanamaker5
ranked next the Mortons in social i'm
portauce, after sorrow had closed the
doors of Mr.. Baines home to all mer-
~ making. Mrs. Wanamaker is Il
slight little body, who locks as If she
might be the inspiring genius of a
church sewing circle. She has a kind
" greeting for every one WHO goes to
her Wednesdays. Mr.. Wanamaker is
most cordial in his greeting, and holds
your hand in sympathetic way -
Why sad Il prominent and pretty so,
ciety woman at tie last reception, he
makes you feel as if You were all wool
and yard wide 1t ls sand the real
reason which prompted Mr.. Wanama-
ker to enter the Cabinet and preside
over the destiDies Of the Post Office
Department was his desire to shine and
have his family shine socially, and his
ambition viii most certainly be realiz.
ed.
Mr.. Reed IS not so unpopular on the
democratic side Of the House az some of
the recent episodes in the proceedings
would indicate. 1t was seldom, when
he was on the floor as leader on the
republican SIDE, that he was ever seen
on the democratic side conversing with
members Of that party. Now 1t is a
frequent occurrence for the Speaker,
when not occupying the chair, to drop
into a seat among the democrats and
converse on topics relating to the af-
fairs of the House. In this way he
keeps himself posted at first hand as to
the real state of feeling among the mi
nority. He does not depend on rumor
and speculation as source Of informa-
ton IN regard to the temper Of the OPP.
position. Speaker Reed, the presiding
officer, is a much more genial and ap
proachable personage than WAS Mr..
Reed when occupying seat on the floor.
There is hardly any personal hostllitv,
even on the democratic side, toward
h,m, through a score of alert wits a
mong the minority are at all times
ready to lock horns with him Oh par
liamentary questions and denounce his
rulings.