Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-12-17
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Ex-Presidsnt Harrison Undoubtedly
Not a Candidate for denomination.
The colored Club-The Social Season-Gam.
bling Among Fashionable Ladies.

Washington, Dec. 16.-(Special) -
What IS believed to be an authoritative
statement as to the position Of ex-Presi-
dent Harrison concerning the next presi-
Dental nomination Of his party has been
made bare by his intimate friend, cx-Mar-
shal RansdelI Of Indianapolis. I'm my
opinion" said Mr.. Ransdell, ''the name
OF General Harrison will not besubmitted
10 the next Republican convention. He
Is rot % candidate--at least he is not
candidate In the sense that he will permit
his friends to make a campaign in his be-
half. If It should happen that the conven-
ton 81 ould turn to him and ask him to
lead tie party for the third time, there is
Of course no doubt that he would accept
and be delighted to do So" In the opinion
of Mr. Ransdell and other admirers Of the
ex pr sident, this Is the best possible plan
for him to pursue, and they think it will
result in his nomination by the conven-
ton. With General Harrison out, it is
said here that Indiana is likely to be
friendly to Mckinley.
10 It's other attractions for the deyetees
Of society Washington has added coach
ing cub. Every day now run is made
IN FIRE style with four horse coach from
prominent hotel to a country inn known
us Chevy Chase. There dinner Is taken
By thj passengers, and the scenery Of ROCK
creek, whore the government is going to
create beautiful national park, adds to
tie c',ar,n OF the spin Chevy Chase is
enbi1.b On which u million OF dollars has
hccEi spent by syndicate III which Sena-
81 Cameron 0f
Pennsylvania are interested. One Of :he
attractions Of the coaching trip is a fina
view Of Woodley, the presidents country
house.
Ccntlc,non Of Color.
Washington now has club Of colored
mon, probably the only one in the colin-
tiy, There are more than 100 members
and among them several very wealthy
men A number of the wealthy real es-
tate owners of the capital are cclored men
who acquired their holdings 20 or 20 years
ago and have been smart enough not to
dispose of them. Others have made money
in trade or in tho professions. An ex-sen-
ator and ex-governor and several ex-ofii-
Gals of note are among the members OF
the new club which has beautiful rooms,
with billiard tables, IA cafe and ell the
modern attachments.
Mrs Dolpb the wife of tho senator from
Oregon, is trying to interest the leading
society ladies Of the capital in plan to
give here a duplication of the society cir
Gus for charity sake which was last win
ter such great success in New York. 1t
is said today that Mrs. Cleveland has
promised to give her patronage to the
event, though this is doubted because of
tho i'll natured criticisms that would be
~. a<Dfer txy Sv,i
"a circus, even for sweet charity.
A Distinguished Widow.
Mrs. Grant, widow of the late General
Grant, has for some time been trying to
buy a house in the fashionable quarter,
and though the negotiations had apparent
ly failed / hear today the sale is likely to
be announced next week. Mrs. Sartoris,
who was Nellie Grant, has a house here
and is prominent in society. She will re
turn to England in the spring to look
after tho education of her children. There
il general hope that Mrs. Grant may re-
turn to Washington to live. 1t is said
Washington contains as residents greater
number of widows Of distinguished men
than any other city in the country.
Great preparations are being made for
the social season, which will be ushered
in by New Years day. Already society
Ia unusually active, and 1t Is predicted the
coming season will BIO the most active
and interesting known here for years.
Tho receptions of the president are the
center of interest, for these levees give the
cue for all the smaller entertainments.
The presidents foot continues to get bet
ter, end it is now hoped he will be able to
take his place In the blue room and receive
the thousands of guests who throng the
White House On these occasions. Among
the society leaders here are great many
ladies whose husbands have been defeated
for reelection rs senators or representa-
tiyes, and this being their last season Mt
the capital they are naturally anxious to
make the most Of it
Got His Money lack.
The capital has for some days been en-
joying whispered scandal concerning the
gambling propensities of three or four
women prominent in society. As the story
goes, these women became infatuated
with card playing while visiting Europe
last summer and have introduced the
latest English and French games ut their
homes, with pretty high stakes and con
siderable excitement at times over the
play. AS the story goes, an army officer
temporarily in the capital lost SO much
money in this fashionable gambling house
that he was seriously embarrassed and
made a demand for return of his money
as we'll as of the notes which he had given
in payment of losses, a demand which was
promptly complied with for fear of expo
sure No names have been made public,
and it is expected the whole matter will
be hushed up. For several months races
have been run every day just across the
poto,nao river from Washington, and
among the persons seen there almost every
day are number of society women who
have become infatuated with the sport and
with gambling upon the races.
ROBERT GRAVES.