The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-18
ONLY A BIT OF PAPER,
YET THERE ARE BEGGING, BLUFFsNG
AND ScHEMING TO GET 1T.
Invitations TO the White House Receptions.
The "PusAer" In Washington Society.
How He Succeeds by the Aid of Adauan-
tine Cheek-A Nice Souvenir.
Especial Correspondence.1 |

Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON. Jan. = The White HOUSE
is now the center of attraction in the social
world. 1t is the sun of the social system oi
the capital. All eyes are turned toward
the executive mansion, and unhappy the
persons OF social pretensions who have nc
invitations to the presidents receptions II
Is at these receptions that one meets every.
body worth meeting. II is in the cas-.
room and the corridor of the old house tha,
one may touch elbows with the hundreds ol
men of fame and women of distinction who
compose the official circle of the American
capital As may be easily supposed, there
is great anxiety TO secure these invitations
One of the most difficult tasks which the
presidents grand chamberlain has to per
form is the making out of this list of guests
at the annual receptions
suppose you knew the president had q
grand chamberlain? At any rate that is
the most important part of his official du.
ties In any country but this he would be
called a cham berlain, too, but in our sim
pie republic, where we must make a pre-
tense of simplicity and avoidance of all ap-
pearance OF imitation of foreign customs,
we call him commissioner of public build.
ings and grounds. Nominally be has charge
of the big structures in which Uncle Sam
houses his great executive machine at the
capitol. the grounds round about them and
the Washington monument. These things
take little of his time. 1t is as functionary
in chief to the president of the United
States that he finds his most exacting and
important employment.
The Willy Pusher.
The present grand chamberlain is Colo
mel Wilson of the army. He knows his
business. Washington society is an open
book to him. He is familiar with every
face Of Importance, masculine or feminine.
He knows the ''pushers" as we'll as any
man in town. and by long experience has
learned how to deal with them gently, but
effectually. The 'pusher," you should
know, is distinctively Washington insti-
tuition. 1t is term conveniently used for
designation of the man or woman-gener-
ally woman-who has no official or other
claim to social recognition and yet insists
upon getting it. He or she is a person who
deliberately and persistently pushes" in
where Desire leads, but Right does not open
the door.
The 'pusher" has an easy time of it at
the public receptions given by the ladies of
the cabinet and the wives of senators. There
the 'pusher" needs no card of invitation
and may walk in with head high and par
take of the best that is offered. By little
manipulation of diplomatic sort he or she
If did not desire to avoid ungallantry
would drop the "he'' altogether-may even
have the pleasure of seeing his or her name
in the newspapers in the list of guests.
Where the Most Fun Lies.
The wife of the chief of division, or of a
mere clerk. or Of a tradesman, for that mat
ter, finds the afternoons of the cabinet
and social circles easy to conquer But the
card receptions at the White House are not
so speedily mastered. There is a way of
doing it which has been employed, but it is
not satisfactory method. 1t is more or
less hazardous and likely to lead to annoy
ance. This is by going without an invita-
tion. OF course it IS not necessary to show
cards of invitation at the White House
door. A rule requiring an exhibition of
tickets, just like a theater, would be aw-
fully awful bad form. And yet there have
at various times been serious discussions as
to the advisability Of adopting such rule
At every card reception in the executive
mansion there are hundreds of people who
come without cards They simply walk in
at the front door and make themselves at
home. They do not know many people
there, but this makes little difference.
Without acquaintance they can have al
most as good time as withit. After all, the
most fun at a White House reception con-
sists of watching the diplomats in their
uniforms and court outfits, of having near
views of great men and women, of close in
spection Of the gowns and persons of distin-