The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-16
WASHINGTON
SOCIETY NOTES.
A Letter From Ruhamah Relative
to Events in the Capital.
Preparing the White House for the New Year
Rscsption-Ihe Blue Parlor Improved
On Hygienio Lines.
Special Correspondents of THE SUNDAY CAL,

I6E2ASHINGTON, Nov. Z, 1S9O.-While
NHA162 there was no election and no voting
MAEN going on in this disfranchised,
anomalous bit of territory known as the
District of Columbia, the interest in the re-
turns was as intense as in any other city.
Thousands watched the bulletins before the
new spaper offices on Tuesday night, but not
until Wednesday evening did this Office
holding, and for the time being Republican
community, realize the awful truth. The
community and the country can very well
part with some Of the statesmen who are
thus called back TO private life, but it can
not see the hand Of providence in the return
of some others. The President. who went
home to vote like any other good citizen. re-
turned on Wednesday as calm and more
philosophic than any one else, and the
routine Of life at the White House goes on
undisturbed.
All chances of an extra session of Con-
gress are averted, and statesmen will have
time to mediate upon the voters, frame OF
mind before they precpitate any more leg
islation upon the country. Meanwhile the
most perfect Indian summer reigns in this
section and all the country around glows
with the rich autumn foliage. Owners Of
country places near the city linger in them
still, and the country roads are enlivened
with many equestrians and handsome car
riages every afternoon. The Presidents
speeds his trotter from light buggy, and
Secretary and Mrs. Blaine take their au-
tumnal airing in victoria. Mrs. Harrison
is enjoying to the full the quiet season that
tho fall months give the occupants of the
White HouSe-busy with her painting, her
reading and the visits of her intimate circle
Of friends. With a small appropriation a
wonderful amount of work has been
done in the White House, but it has
taken all of Mrs. Harrison's practical
house keepers ingenuity, and all of
COLONEL ERNsT's ENGINEERING TALENTS
To stretch the few thousands over the
ground upon which that many thousands
could be easily and satisfactorily expended.
The oval library upstairs which has always
been the family sitting-loom of the house
until President AIthur's day, has been
given up as the Presidents private office
and restored to its old use. The President
now uses the room when the Cabinet meet
ings are held for his office, the room where
SO many of his predecessors have held
audience before him, and where President
Lincoln signed the Emancipation PrOclama-
ton. The walls of the upper corridor and
staircase Of the mansion have been re-
finished In relief work and tinted dull
yellow, and the blue parior is still in the
decorators hands. 1iffany's Associated
Artists took the blue parlor in hand nine
years ago and put into it the most unworthy
and unsatisfactory work. After covering
the walls and ceiling with silver decOra-
lions they regilded the chandeliers, mirrors
and furniture frames. CARPET. draperieS
and walls we're in three conflicting shades
of siekly, greenish blue that in time
faded until there was a perfect war of
colors. The tone of the walls killed
the freshest complexion that came near it
and gave an unpleasant cOrpse-like pallor to
the average countenance. a Hartford firm
is now trying its hand at the decorating
and refurnishing of that most important of
state apartments, and no one will be per-
mitted to view their work until it is en-
tirely finished. One long-needed improve
ment has at last been made in introducing
electric lights to the blue parlor, which, at
state functions. has had the temperature OF
en- orchid house, from the crowds and the
many gas jets. In addition to the cool cleo
trio rays, broad traDsom spaces have been
put at the top of the window frames, SO that
the room can now be ventilated. The Presi-
dent found handshaking in an unventilated
room, with temperature of 81 and more,
something more than enjoyable. ana deter