The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-02-22


One senator propo7.d "iIis Ezccllency,"
another his High Mightinn4s,' hut
they at last agreed upon Ellis llign-
ness, the President of the United
States Of America and Protector Of
Their Liberties" But the house. being
more popular body would have moth
ing TO do with titles that savored of
royalty SO they Topped off the first
! and the last clauses of the senate's
proposition and agreed only TO the con-
stitutional 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
bucilles, ruffles, cooked hats and small
sword. Generally a solemn stiffness
reigned over the assembly and CONVEX
sation was carried on in low whispers
At three o'clock precisely a gorgeously
arrayed individual acting as cham ber-
lain announced in a loud tone: - The
president of the United States" There
upon from the door of an ante-room
Washington appeared, accompanied by
his secretaries and some of the high Of
ficials of the government. The presi-
i, So 4 L Il. 4
vet, a pearl-colored waistcoat, silver
buckles, dark silk stockings and vel
low gloves. A dress sword was at his
side, a 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 a 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-
matte corps, the judges and members of
congress with their wives and daugh-
ters were to be seen there; the bellies 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. Even
Washington could unbend at such times
and indulge in some slight banter with
the ladies.
The president and his wife would also
accept some hospitalities, such as din
ner with cabinet officer or senator,
or ball given by one of the diplomatic
corps. They also gave dinners to Sc
lected guests, at which during the year
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 had
yielded and joined the union, and the
third through the southern states as far
| as Charleston and Savannah. These
were attended with q great degree of
ceremony, and they were by no means
hand-shalling excursions. In Boston a
point of etiquette threatened to spoil the
whole tour. John Hancock was gov
| ernor, and he was as much a stickler
for precedence and ceremony as Wash
ington himself He invited Washing
ton and his suite to dine with him on
their first arrival, but inasmuch as he
had not gone out to meet the president
the latter refused to attend the dinner.
1t took very adroit negotiations to
bring about an adjustment, for Han
cock took the ground that as governor
of a sovereign state the first call should
be made upon him. But Washington S
| prestige and fame finally won, and Han
cock was persuaded to make the first
call, and harmony was restored.
The presidents salary was then, as
long afterwards, $4,000 a year, but
| Washington expended it all in his So
cial, official and household expenses
He could well afford to do this, for he
was the richest man in America, his
| lplbullC D1lilB Gblll4idbNh tib Houusbuu
There were no millionaires, and indeed
very few men who were worth ever
$4,000 in those days, though there were
some men like Robert Morris who were
reported extremely wealthy. But Nor
ris' fortune was bubble, as many
others were, after the revolution.
When the capital was removed tc
Philadelphia the social life of the
president was much the same as il
New York. His birthday was regu
larly observed as a holiday through
out the country, after the fashion o
royalty. Indeed, it was first celebrate,
in 1884, few months after he had re
signed as commander in chief. But tn
22d of February after the Inauguration
was celebrated with great pomp an
acclaim in every leading town. Birth
day odes were read, and Long Liv
George Washington" God Bless You
Reign, were the public salutations tina
greeted him
i