Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-11-07
DULL SOCIAL SEASON.

DULL SOCIAL SEASON.
HOW OFFICIAL SOCIETY At THE
CAPITAL IS TO ENTERTAIN.
Secretary Lamont the Orly wealthy Men
bss esths Csblsst-Ns chsnpagas Punch
srTsrrapln-Ms. Cariisis 70 he . Leader
In Cabinet Circles.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 2.-lspecial.l-
Women who have had much experience In
Washington society are looking forward to
rather dull social season. At this tim,
very little 10 doing In the world Of society,
but New Years day will usher In short
but sharp campaign Of receptions and calls.
The cabinet In always the social center In
Washington. II the members Of the cabi.
net are rich or we'll to do, have large houses
and big bank accounts with which to en-
tertain, society 10 said to be success. But
Il happens at this time that we have poor
mans cabinet. We have no William G.
whitney. with his millions. his generosity
and his good taste. to make rallying point
for the society Of the capital. We have no
John wanamsker. no Levi p. Morton.
1t Is rather odd that the richest member
Of the present cabinet is young man who,
some five or ak years ago, was mere clerk
IN Mr.. Clsveland's presidential Office. Dan.
itl Lamont now has more money than any
other four members of the cabinet put to-
gether. Gresham In pOor-wOrth not more
than sl0, 900; Carlisle has very little outside
Of his salary; Herbert could scrape up prob
ably s2O,0oO or $4,000; Olney is fairly well
TO do, but far from rich; Smith is worth .
modest 100000 Morton owns few farms
and railroad stocks, but has no large In.
come, and Bissell il said by his friends to
be rated at something like t0,OOO. Dan
Lamont, on the other hand, Is classed
among the millionaires, though 1t Is doubt.
ed II he has actually reached that dignity.
lie is making money rapidly, however,
through his investments with the Whit
ney. .Crimmins street car syndicate In New
York, and will soon be much more than .
millionaire.
The Vice Prssidsnt's simplicity.
Vice President Stevenson il also poor
man. His income aside from his salary
does not exceed 5000 or si,0O0a year. lie
has large family. and II is about rs much
A. lie can do to make both ends meet with.
out spending large sums In social enter
tsinment. lie and Mr.. Stevenson still live
at hotel and are likely to remain there
because II Il cheaper than keeping house.
Mrs. Stevenson takes the sensible view
that inasmuch as they are poor II would
be foolish for them totry t0 make a splnrge.
She believes In moilest, simple entertain.
ments, known here n small and earlies." "
The ladies of the cabinet ngrer with her,
and the entertainments al the coming sea-
son will be the most mW!cst and inex.rn.
sive known In Washini,ton for many wears.
There In q tacit agreement that decorniions
shall he simple and unassnming-a few
flowers and plants here aud theirs IN the
parlor-, with no attempt at gorg-o'isncss
In floral display. IL II alSo agreed that the
luncheons shall he NJ simple N they can
be made, and that caterers shall not be EN-
pl0ysd In giving them. Instead of cham.
payne punch, terrapin and other high priced
iuxuries. there will be- seen simple chicken
and potted meat sandwiches and occasion
ally a bowl Of exceedingly mild aud harm.
less claret punch.
The ladies Of the cabinet agree that II
they throw their houses open and make
their callers feel at home, on good terms
with their hostess and one another, with
bright conversation and exchange of compli-
nlents, that is m far ~ they can go. There
will be no elaborate receptions with hands Of
music, hundreds OF dollars worth of f0w-
ers, liv.ried servants, champagne galore
and hired professional entertainers.
The Wine wiii Not Flaw This Winter.
Washington society has already begun to
lo,k about Ia discover II possible the house
at which lavishness Ii tn Le the rule. There
In an element IN Washington society that
l. attracted uherringly and persistently To
the parlors In which champagne punch and
terrapin are served. These people had
hopsl that the magnificent home Of Sen.
stor and Mrs. Bricr, which Is the famous
Webster. Corcoran mansion, remodeled at
AN expense Of SlO,O0O. would again I've the |
scene Of this sort Of reyelry. but II Is
quietly hinted that Mrs. Brice and her |
daughters will spend the winter In Europe, |
and that the famous old house will not be
opened to society. Il
last winter Senator Brice spent small |
fortune IN receptions and dinners lie
bought roses by the hundred at '5 cents per |
rose. champagne by the carload and terra.
pin by the barrel. lie employed " or Is
servants and gave lavish ORDERS to caterers.
During the last summer. however, Senator |
Brlee, In common with many other CAPITA.
lists and fnanciers. met with severe loses
Un account Of the panic, and while he II
It'll ION his feet" financially and well able
To take care Of himself he has concluded |
that his circumstances do not justify him
In repeating his former social exploits
The Cabinet Houses.
Mrs. Carlisle IL likely to De the leader OF
the cabinet circle. both on account of her
experience aud her native force Of charac-
ter. She has exercised much influence In
setting the pace for the cabinet ladies, and
Il was largely her courage that induced the
other ladies of that circle to reach the sens
iblc decision to pursue u malest and mex.
pensiye policy. Mrs. Carlisle Is known as
one Of the best cooks la Washington, and q
specially Mt her entertainments will be the
serving Of inexpensive and delightful dishes
OF her own preparation, many Of them pos
sessing strong southern characteristics.
Mrs. Lamont has hail much experience
In Washington society and IL one of the
most popular women ever seen here. She
was the intimate friend Of the late Mrs.
Whitney, who left behind her record Of
social triumphs unexampl-l In this capi-
tai. She II also an intimate friend of Mrs.
Cleveland and will be prominent IN the
White House social events
Mrs. Bissell Is likely to bs Que Of the most
popular Of all the cabinet ladies. Large OF
person, hearty of manner, with keen
sense of hunior aud unfailing good nature,
she Is well equipped for n social campaign.
In addition To these qualities she Il fine
musician and n passionate lover Of music.
She has a delightful voice, which i well
trained. aud her home j. likely To lie one Of
the musical centers during the coming four
years. The handsome home Of Secretary
aud Mrs. Smith will be the rallyinR point
for the southern contingent, Mrs. Smith
being southern woman OF great accom-
and good family. She will
gather about her = number Of beautiful
girls from her own section.
Secretary Herbert, who 10 . widower.
surprised his friends u few weeks ago by
renting one Of the fine old mansions with
which Washington abounds. aud he Is hav-
ing Il fitted up In comfortable but elegant