The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-13
NOTES FROM
THE CAPITAL.
The Opening Of the Season for the
Winter at Washington.
In the Best Of Social Trim Is the Admins
tration Set This Year-Mrs. Harrison's
AT Home"-sales by Auction.
Special fer THE SUNDAY GALL

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. 1s91.-All the
world went to the launching of the New
Y ork at the Cramp ship-yards on Wednes-
day, and it was proved very certainly that
you do these things far better in San Fran
cisco. Philadelphia contributed its thou
sands to crowd the yard, and a special train
brought thousand New Workers to the scene.
After that many New Workers arrive any,
where. No one without a fixed bayonet
need expect any rights or elbow room. So
it was, and the 800 official guests arriving a
few minutes later from Washington found
their reserved seats occupied by the New
Workers, and room was barely made for the
christening party. Mrs. Harrison and Mrs.
Morton and the Cabinet families were ruth
lessly showed aside and crowded off the
little platform by this invited mob, and
were crushed and elbowed and separated
from one another during all the time they
stayed. When they were seated at the
large round luncheon table the Manhattan
multitude pressed around 1t to stare and
watch them eat, and only the determined
efforts of the policemen called in allowed
the walters TO reach the table. 1t was a
badly managed affair and memorable jam.
and 1t is safe to say that no other cruisers
will be christened In the same way again.
Contrasted with that decorous and clock
work like ceremony when the Monterey
slid into the bay Of San Francisco, 1t is ap-
parent that many things have gore west
ward with thu star OF empire.
The social life of the winter began infor-
mally this week, with an at home hour on
Tuesday afternoon by Mrs. Harrison and a
tea by Mrs. Morton on Saturday. With the
White House and the Vice-Pres dental
mansion open so early, activity Is impaired
all around and invitation cards are now
FLYING IN CLOUDS.
The administration set is in the best Of
social trim this year, each family Is ready
for the fray, and there Will be more enter
tanning in official houses than for many
years back. For two seasons their plans
have been frustrated and the gay pro-
gramme cut short at its beginning. Already
the dates of the state receptions and dinners
at the White House are announced and in
tending entertainers appreciate this early
1ntimatlon OF such events. Five public re-
ceptions Will give the sovereign people op-
poTtunity to meet the Presidents family In
their own home, and the unusually long sea-
sou allows them TO have not more than two
affairs week. The social census shows an
alarming decrease Of dancing men, thirty
having fallen away from one hostess list
since last year. But twice thirty new girls
will be here as usual. Either Secretary
Proctor or Secretary Tracy has wrought
this woe. as both have been re-
IOImlDR bHeu ucpdIt mcHto duu ecnu-
Ing off TO service social ornaments,
who by favo. itism had had such prolonged
details at the capital that no one dreamed
that they could be uprooted and trans
planted. But Secretary Proctor's successor
will doubtless be induced to draft new ma
terial on for the season. or the displaced
ones will return and establish themselves
Until another Secretary Institutes vlgor-
Gus reform policy. With such dearth of
partners. tho assemblies and germans Of
the winter will be occasions OF more heart
burning and sorrow than of unmeasured
much. Tie girl who has passed through
few Washington seasons becomes a skilled
tactlcian. campaigner and skirmisher, and
plays her game unweariedly, watching for
and awaiting herself OF every chance of gain
and advance. Against her the debutante