Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-02-22

ton v as JOuEuey1ug toWhruS NSW A0EkA { the senate was earnestly engaged in | discussing the question of his title. | One senator proposed His Excellency." another his "High Mightiness," but they at last agreed upon 'sHis High l ness, the President of the United States of America and Protector of Their Liberties" But the house, being a more popular body, would have noth- ing to do with titles that savored C royalty. So they Topped of the first and the last clauses of the senate's proposition and agreed only to the con stitntional designation: 'President of the United States of America" and the senate was obliged to yield.
 Washington himself would not have been displeased with a title, though he made no effort to influence congress in that respect. Nevertheless he sur rounded himself with much ceremonial. A levee after the fashion of the European courts was held every Tues day afternoon at the presidential man. sion. On these occasions gentlemen came in full dress, attired in small clothes, silk stockings, low shoes with silver buckles, ruf1es, cooked hats and small sword. Generally solemn stiffness reigned over the assembly and conver- sation was carried on in low whispers At three o'clock precisely gorgeously arrayed individual acting as chamber lain announced in loud tone: The president of the United States" There upon from the door of am ante-room Washington appeared, accompanied by his secretaries and some of the high of ficials of the government. The presi- dents dress was a suit of black vel vet, a pearl-colored waistcoat, silver buckles, dark silk stockings and yell low gloves. A dress sword was at his side, cooked hat under his left arm and his hair, tied in a queue, was pow dered. He would in a stately manner walk inside the circle of his guests, ad- dress few words to each, but shake hands with none. Then he would take his stand and some general conversa- tion might ensue. At four o'clock the president would solemnly bow and re- tire to his room. This was the signal for general dismissal. Lady Wash ington," by which singular title the presidents wife was universally called, gave Friday evening entertainments to mixed assemblages, at which all the beauty and social distinction of the city ! were to be found. All the high officers, the members of the cabinet, the diplo. matic corps, the judges and members ot | congress with their wives and daugh' ters were to be seen there; the belles ar rayed in silks and taffetas, with their hair dressed high, and the gentlemen in the very height of the latest London | fashions. Elegance and distinction marked these entertainments, while witty conversation abounded. Ever Washington could unbend at snch times and indulge in some slight banter with the ladies.
 The president and his wife would also accept some Inequalities, such as din ner with a cabinet officer or senator, or ball given by one of the diplomatic corps. They also gave dinners to se lected guests, at which during the veal they would entertain almost all persons of prominence.
 During his first term Washington made three tours, the first through New England, the second to Rhode Island
 after that obstinate little state hal yielded and joined the union, and tho third through the southern states as fal as Charleston and Savannah. ThesI
 were attended with great degree O
 ceremony, and they were by no means
 hand-shal1ing excursions. In Boston
 point of etiquette threatened to spoil thu
 whole tour. John Hancock was gov
 ernor, and he was as much a Sticllle
 for precedence and ceremony as Wash
 ipgton himself. He invited Washing ) ton and his suite to dine with him ol
 their first arrival, but inasrnuch as h.
 had not gone out to meet the presiden
 the latter refused to attend the dinner It took very ;Rldroit negotiations t. bring about an adjustment, for Han cock took the ground that as governo of a sovereign state the first call shoul be made upon him. But Washington prestige and fame finally won, and liar cock was persuaded to make the frs
 call, and harmony was restored.
 The presidents salary was then, a 7 long afterwards, $25, ,0O0 a year, bu ? Washington expended it all in his sc 7 cial, official and household expenses He could well afford to do this, for h
 was the richest man in America, hi
 fortune being estimated at $500, ,O0(
 There were no millionaires, and indee
 very few men who were worth eve
 $50, 900 in those days, though there wer
 some men like Robert Morris who wer
 reported extremely wealthy. But Mo
 ris' fortune was a bubble, as man
 others were, after the revolution.
 When the capital was removed t
 Philadelphia the social life of tn
 president was much the same as
 New York. His birthday was reg1
 larly observed as 8 holiday througl
 out the country, after the fashion
 royalty. Indeed, it was first celebrate
 in 17s4, a few mouths after he had r
 signed as commander in chief. But tt
 22d of February after the inauguratio
 was celebrated with great pomp an
 acclaim in every leading town. Birtl
 day odes were read; and Long Li1
 George Washington" "God Bless Yo1 g Reign" were the public salutations tEi ? greeted him.
 a People are not so obsequious to pre- idents as they were then, but it mu n be remembered that an atmosphere ,