The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-13
BL00D 0N Tie MOON
There Was a Paucity Of Punch
at Cabinet Houses,
And the Sorrow is Keen Even
Unto Anger.
MOMENTOUS MATTERS.
Invitation TO White House Din
ner Command or Entreaty2

sensations here ia ~ ashlngton- as one
might think from a perusal Of the dis
patches ID the daily papers. Society Is now
almost as important, from a " ashIngton
point of view I'D the interminabie tariff
discussion and the unfortunate complica-
1ions over the dusky queen Of the racine
islands. just now society IS much con
cernad because the ladies of the cabinet
provide such x slender array of refresh
menfs at their receptions On the occasion
oil the first cabinet day. the first M edneSuay
after New Year 8. tw0 or three OF the cst3i-
net houses were without any refreshments
at an while a6 tie others nothing was
served except lit6le tea OF lemonade. AoF
q pint of punch was observable in the whole
cabinet rounds The old timers the vet
Grams of many g social campaign who have
fairly lived on reception refreshments
throughout nnurnerable seasons. searched
the cabinet houses ia vain for punch. Ell
fher clare6 on champagne, or for anything
that would satisfy a healthy appetite be-
yond q few bits Of cake ana macaroon or
two
Looking for Punch
Tt is unnecessary to say that the disap-
pointmene is keen and general The mat
ter has even been given political bearing
On account Of the pauciry of punch and
other attract ons vt the cabinet houses we
have been toid chat this administration IS
a wretched failure. Comparisons between
st and its wax Of doing things with the gen
eroms spread made by former cabinets have
been Institutes and 1t would not Tie SUR
prising # the discomfort were to find its
way into tho coming campaigns. At the
second cabinet day this week the refresh
more simple and inexpensive than at the
first. Ut really begins to look as if the mo
collation. faction lin the cabinet was going
to carry the day Tt IS all very sad. PEG
pie whQ.live outside Washington have no
idea oil THE commotion THAT has been caused
here. Of the a.mount Of gossip and number
of unpleasant remarks, by this new de
partpre on the part OF the unistresses of the
cabinet homes.
But this S not all. by a long ways a
new question has been raised and it is
Nltas s. senator or represent atiye in con
gress Il right to decline an invitation to
dinner ATT the Wh ite HOuse9r This exceed
lngly delicate and interesting question was
brought 10 he front by the point blank re-
fusal of the two senators from New York
to attend state dinner at the executive
mansion. Ihey took the ground that if
they did not wish TO attend Mr.. Cleveland's
dinner they had perfect right to say so
and tO stay away. But not am people gree
with Them There Is q tradition to the eff
1ecr that am invitation W the We hlte House.
whether SO ( dinner or to any other func-
tom Ass in the nature of a command which
musc NOT be diso5eyed. This is one Of the
strongest tradicions Of the Washin gton so
sial system.
Eurn calls, and may not as the president
accept invitations to private houses. So
bid To the SCI hiGe House has always been
regarded rs imperative Cf course lit has not
always been cbeyed. But IN eases where it
was not desired oh was not convenient to-
ac-ept some excuse has been found, such
as Illness, Imperative previous engage ent
or absence from the city "a point blank
refusal without excuse is something new,
ana Ely Is sitid by those who follow these
things thar an Instance oft was not known
tLl Senators Hill and Murphy Introduced
tie innovation Now that they have raised
the question: other senators are taking ID
mp. and every day talks on this subj rct
with argunaelts pro and con, may be heard
Am senatorial ara wing rooms and also in the
cloaBroonls attached e the senate chamber.
A Question Of Authority.
There FL e growing spirit of Independence
in the senate Ihc members OF that body
chafe under the efforts which they claim
have been made on the part of the execu-
tive pa late years To reduce their body to a.
lower level tiian IT was intended to occupy
by the founders Of the government. Some
Of the sou hern senator's even 40 SO far as
to quote the constitution of tile mixed
States in support of their argument that
an invitation from the president IS not =
command. Lt is worth going miles % hear
Senator Morgan ANA others from Dixie de-
clare. with fine scOrn and effective rhetoric.
tha1 the senate has the right TO command
the president, but the president to com
mand the senate, neveri WeshaI be lucky
if this matter also is not taken into poll
ties il IS curious illustration of the fact
chat we ars living in quarrelsome, discon-
tented and grumpy times when we can
NOT enjoy our afternoon receptions at the
cabinet houses or our state dinners in the
grand dining room Of the executive man
sion without getting into row about them.
Here's state Of Things
Even the new spaper men of the capital
have q social grievance. From time inn
memorial 1t has been the custom to invite
the correspondents for the daily newspapers
to the evening receptions az the White
House "a his year the custom has been OBJ
served as Usual, but, it is claimed. in a way
that conveys q slight tip the invited guests.
heretofore the invitations TO these recep-
tons have been delivered 10y messenger at
the residences Of cDrresDondenfs as the 7n-
Fleations 20 senators. diplomats. mem 0ers
nt the house, army and navy officers and
others are delivered But this year tile
cares 20 newspaper men were sent to their
offices.
The average man would say that 1t makes
very little difference I'D him whether. si4l ill.,
vitat-on 3e sent to his house or to lis 81
dce but not 80 with some of the newspaper
men, Their claim IS that bv sending i41, -i-
fations TO their places Of business the pres
sdent or nose who acted for him have I'LL
suited She whole profession, such act indi-
eating thiit news paper men were wanted att
the White House receptions not IL mem
beers Of society. but IN their professional ca
pacity. A few of the correspondents have
taken so much um bragg az the ALLEGED
slight that they declined 70 attend the dip
Iomatic reception just for the sake of the
principle involved So far as has been
miss them. Tn the present temper Of Wash
8ngron. Both in and out Of congress, I'D does