New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-04
entertainment is the one that has as its guests the

entertainment is the that has its guests the
most notable Of the officials
The diplomatic people are considered by the
newcomers the most desirable guests. In the
official houses they are classed according TO their
rank in their service. The majority of tnCm rank
with the members of Congress. The English Min.
lister is always socially the superior of the rest o.
the diplomatic representatives whoever they may
be. The real truth is that the European nations
do not send to the United States anything very
remarkable in the way of diplomatic talent II
is said that America :or European trained dlpio-
mat is exile. He can gain no orders in Washing
ton and in general. life here to him. IN comparison
with tie diplomatic life of European capitals
must be dull. With perhaps half a dozen cAcep-
tions, the diplomatic representatives in Washing
! ton are poor and hay, no money for entertaining
The British German, Russian and Mexican Min
listers have houses that can properly he called es-
adjustments, and funds from their home Govern
nerts for entertaining. The diplomatic colony IS
an easy-gOing. careless society, but In no sense
vulgar one The person who opens his mouse 10
entertain would have 10 follow the traditions
He could not expect, by ostentation and mere
mere money to attract t. himself visitors The
open house to be thoroughly popular, would have
to he conducted upon quiet and modest lines
and the pleasure Of the guest made the first con
sderation. With this rule followed, nearly any
one who cares to could make place for himself
in the shifting movement of Washington society.
The most interesting thing about the society
of the capital is the great individuality and
character of the persons making it up. 1t is
common thing in the newspapers 10 poke fun at
members of Congress and to dwell upon their
shortcomings when they arrive at the capital.
IL should be remembered, however, that every
member of Congress without exception is force
full individual who has, by some means or other.
been able to push 10 the front of large com
munity, and that 10 arrive at even position III
Congress requires some talent and character.
Some of them represent communities extremely
provincial, and in many cases backward. BIT
in nearly every instance, Member of Congress
is man who belongs to the foremost rank of
his community The Senators. who are often
represented in the newspapers as the agents Of
corporations big men who have bought their
places. are nearly always leading and powerful
figures in their States. The majority of the men
i'm the Senate are not rich men. Onethlrd Of
them. should say, have no resources outside OF
their salaries The general tone of Congress he
comes higher and higher every year. You rarely
hear now any scandals about Congress The
men who could he actually bought with money
could he counted upon the fingers OF your hands
/
of politics and business, and they may be indi-
rcctly Influenced in their public life through
their private interests. But in the main, believe
that the standard Of legislative honor was never
better than II is to-day The fault with Congress
is in It's cumbersome methods. This is largely cN-
planned by the fact tha' Congress is made mp in
great measure of lawyers These gentlemen are
supposed To he better for talking and making
delays than for the rapid transaction of business
At any rate there few so-cailcd business men in
Congress And there is not a business m2n in
! the United Stp'cs Of ANY standing who could not
devise oT-nand a better means OF doing business
than The present system, which cholies and thTot-
ties affairs in the halls OF Congress.
Perhaps il is the shifting character If Wash
ington society that Gives it us principal interest
The most successful men in all branches II life
come here Al every entertainment. instead Of
there being some one great somebody. there may
! be twenty or thirty II l. moi a good field for q
social lion Tie presence of men of brain, and
women of briancy gives sparkle and a rest 10
| Washington society More Than this. il has the
! frankncss and simplicity of the best society Of
Europe. Wherever you go, you generally intro
duccd after the Continental fashion There is little
snobbshnesS. People arc closscd their proper
level in this society Money can never he the
test Of superiority in n soc'cj, largely made up Of
I
moderate means People depend much on their
own resources in their entertaining This is nccc-
s1ry consequence Of their moderate fortunes There
are no great caterers in Washington, uotwith-
standing the large number OF brilliant entertain
mcnts which are given during the season. Any
one with money AT his side can hire such ser
vices TO produce feast, but it requires talent 10
give a successful dinner upon Tie basis Of limited
means Neither has Washington society any great
social purvcvor who decides who shall or shall not
have tickets of invitation 10 this or that form of
subscription entertainment Such cl rartcr
could never find place here. il would be- hand
for any one in Washington a. imagine any Of the
leading families Tuning over tlcir in'itliIot card,
to some agent 10 arrange the detail, of their
entertaining. The upper spIit which controls
Washington society is cynical and od-natufcd.
While it contains many provincial elements, taken
as Il whole, il Is the opposite Of provincial, and
may be considered positively the onll real cos
m0pOlitan society in America.
T. c. CRAWFORD.