The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-09
INJURIOUS WASHINGTON
SOME OF THE CHARMING SPREADS
TIE MEMBERS ENJOY.

Rival-A tumble Of Invltetions-A
Little Story about Blaine and Conk-
Ing - Joe Washington's "stsg"
Parties, and Some of the Rare and
Racy Stories Told There.
From the Nelu York sun.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 4.-The congressional
dinner season begins in the first week Of the
session. The dinners are usually charming.
At times a score of them are served in
single night. a few are eaten in secluded
sDsrtments in John Chamberlain's club
house. He Las the reputation Of serving
the best dinners IN the capital Wealthy
Members of congress entertain their friends
at their own homes. At times a rich repre-
sentative invites his state colleagues, and
the feast is enlivened with political discus
sions. Many of the banquets are magnif-
can't in service and design. Others. while
more modest, are extremely enjoyable.
The secret of a delightful dinner is in the
selection of the guests. Ali do not know
Ills, At one given in Chamberlain's some
years ago, Roscoe Conkling came near
baing vis-a-vis with James g. Blaine. At
the last minute Mr.. Conkling learned that
Mr. Blaine was to appear at the table. The
great senator from New York drew off his
9an-taied coat and promptly sent his
ieqrets At another dinner it is said that
Sc ator Edmunds and MIR. Blaine we e
invited guests. The ice was too cold.
Everybody felt chilled, and the affair
lacked vivacity.
The season this winter opened little too
early for some of the New York city mem
bers. They left their dress suits at home
for use during the holiday recess. One New
York congressman this season appeared at
three Dime, without being in full dress.
He was ths only man at each who did not
wear the regulation uniform. So mortified
YVES no that before fourth dinner he went
to a tailor shop on Eighth street and hired
s dress suit. 1t cost him 50. The legs of
the trousers were an inca too long, and the
sleeves of the coat three inches too short.
The latter misfortune would have given
him magnificent opportunity to display
his diamond cuff buttons. UnfOl tunately,
however, they had been stolen out of the
Pullman palace car coming from Jersey
CIV that very morning. His luck did rot
desert him. He was the only man at the
table arrayed in a dress suit.
A rOval entertainer was Secretary of the
Navy Whitney. The Hon. Perry Belmont
also served magnificent dinners. This
season the Hon. Roswell P. Flower appears
to take the lead. His entertainments are
given in his residence on l street. Mr.
Flower is the padishah Of hosts. His din
rers are golden spots on the pages of con-
gresslonal life. just now he is unwittinglv
maxi 9 the life of the Hon ASH Ell
P. Fltch unhappy. Mir. Fitch, like
Mr.. Flower, is a delicious enter
tainer Three times since the election
Of speaker has he invited friends TO dine
at his parlors, with every prospect
Of G rare old time. When his arrange
neuts were oil perfected Mr.. Flower, un-
aware of his colleagues plans, issued
invitations to dinners on the same evenings
The guests were in a quandary. Most Of
item were New Workers. There was a
worlds fair flavor to Mr. Flowers dinners,
and devotion to the interest of their city
drew them in that direction. A few spent
part of the evening with Mr.. Fitch and
atterward paid their respects to Mr.. Flower
Others enjoyed the first courses at Mr.
Flowers table and tasted the final sweets
with Mr.. Fitcn. Thus, between both
Flower and Fitch, some Of the congressman
occurred a good square meal. Both dinners
were emlnently pleasing, but only those who
attended both were able to appreciate each
IN ell its fullnesS.
The most exquisite dinner of the season
thus far was spread by the Hon. Joe Wash
ington Of Tennessee. His wife is one of the
charming women of tire capital. This
entertainment as what Is termed "a stag
dinner" Mr.. Washington has a regal
suite of rooms at the Buckingham. They
2 are furnished with unexceptionable taste.
Rare paintings and engravings adorn the
walls. The ceilings are frescoed AID
fringed with rich holdings. The softest
carpets cover the floors. The rugs are
oriental dreams. Silken portieres drape
the entrances to the rooms. Articles of
vertu grace the mantels, and silver
toncued clocks, in marble castings, chime
the hours. Screens of rare design and
workmanship att act the attention OF the
visit RS. All those, however, pale befo e
the excellence of the dinners. More appe-
tizing dishes are rarely served. The ices
are refreshing and the wines soul-inspirIng.
Like his Virginia ancestors, Joe Wash
ington is keen stude t of human nature.
Himself an admirable stOry-teller, he exer-
cises unusual sagacity in the selection OF
guests. His combinations are admirable.
They harmonic as perfectly as his pictures
and furniture. Each guest unconsciousy
becomes an entertainer. Old Time himself
fairly drops his scythe and joins in the feS
hvities.
There were dozen congressman at Joe's
dinner on the week before Christmas.
Among them were Gen. David B. Hender-
son OF Dubuque, the Hon. John NJ. A len of
pupelo. the Hon. Charles Simeon Baker Of
Rochester. the Hon. Samuel Dibble OIL
Orangeburg, aud the Hon. Walter |. Hayes
OF Clinton There were other intellectual
reus, such as the Hon Adlai Stevenson OF
Illinois, the Hon. James Mcheazie of Ken
lucky, better known as the Race Horse
Orator, and the Hon. Robert j. Vance OF
Connecticut. With such men at the table
there was no need of speeches None was
made. Ambrosia was served, and with il
nectar fit for the gods. Salmon from the
Pacific coast sauced to perfection, canvas
backs done to a turn, and a terrapin ste \
that would have turned an eastern shore
eongressl.a an green with envy, were among
the dishes served. Rare Madeira and Other
old wines filed the delicate goblets grouped
al each plate The host knew all theii
Wins and peculiaritles. The repartee was
at first incessant. Joe sat at the head of hi:
table, and kept the air filed with intel
lectual pellets When chafting ceased, be
deity drew from each guest a food o.
quaint "reminiscences and delightful stories
70 detail them would fill a volume.
John Allen of Tupelo recalled the event
tut incidents of his political campaign
along the Erie canal. The Hon. Roger @
Mills was the Boanerges # that campaign
lie fell sick, and the state committee tele
graphed Allen to fill Mills appointment a
C1ca. Allen says that when he arrived
there he got off the train and felt like ca
Ia strange garnet. While gazing around
somewhat dazed, a man approached hin