Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-19
WASHINGTON TOPICS.
Gossip and Glsanings from tie Ma
tional Capital.
NJ First Tea Ever eIvsa q while hesss-
csurt Etiquette.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 1s.-[Spccial. J.
The situation in Washington at this time
is one of the most peculiar in its eventfnl
history. The national lawmakers in the
big capitol on the hill are discussing the
tariff and the Hawaiian question and slow
~ but surely coming to some arrange
ment. But while this goes on and the
country awaits with more or less anxiety
the verdict social Washington goes merrily
on To those who control the movements
of the Four Hundred in the national cap
ital the outcome of any contest at the ma
tons capital is of little consequence.
A High Tea.
Mrs. Cleveland as the wife of the pres
ident naturally takes the lead in all
matters of a social nature. While she is
strongly domestic in her tastes, she is not
averse to but in fact rather likes the social
functions that are part of the duties OF the
first lady in the land Mrs. Cleveland DEM
onstrated this few days ago by giving a
tea to her cousin. who has come to Wash
ington to spend the remainder OF the win
ter.
Mrs. Cleveland gave her tea, and 1t was
the first ever given within the time hon
ored walls of the executive mansion. All
other teas in comparison to it are mere III
cidents. There were 40 young friends OF
the mistress of the White House invited to
assist her in receiving. Over 500 of the COO
invited came. and most of them were glad
of the opportunity. The sterner sex was
barred. The result was that the United
States Marine band, which furnished the
music, could not be heard.
It was a merry time indeed. SO those
who attended it say. Mrs. Cleveland, ac-
companied by her 40 assistants, appeared
promptly at the hour designated. They
crossed the red parlor to'the beautiful but
somewhat oppressive east room and there
formed q semicircle. Then the impatient
throng of waiting callers was let in, and in
less time than it takes to write it there was
q buzz of conversation that would defy any
sawmill in the world.
Why There Arc No Refreshments.
There were many unique features of the
White House tea. For the first time in
many years there were no refreshments.
This has been something Of hobby OF
Mrs. Cleveland ever since her husbands
first term in office. During the former pc
Rod she had ample opportunity to judge OF
the effects of setting an elaborate lunch
con for afternoon callers. To her quick
perception it was easily apparent that this
hospitable custom was being sorcly abused
by Il mad throng of the great unwashed.
An incident occurred toward the close of
Mr.. Cleveland's last term which opened
her eyes. She was out shopping one after
noon, and standing at one of the counters OF
large mercantile house here she overheard
a conversation. between two young men,
both of whom she recognized as having met
at the houses of many prominent men III
public life. They met right behind her ant
failed to recognize her.
The were evidently well acquainted from
the abrupt way in which they went at eaci
other. - @7a
Where shall we diner" said the first
whats the use in buying q dinner!
said the other MRS. Secretary This and
Mrs Secretary That both have teas, and We
are SO much in. A dollar saved is dollar
made.' ..,.. r..
The first young man who spoke readily
acquiesced, and the two went off arm in
arm to make their dinner. off the bounti-
fully spread tables of two of the cabinet Ia
dies 1t was. this experience no doubt
which led Mrs. Cleveland to oppose re.
freshments of any kind at the regular re
ceptions of the cabinet. The question
came up a few days ago, and Mrs. Cleve-
land expressed herself in strong terms. But
she gave additional force to all she said
when she failed to provide refreshment Of
any kind at the first afternoon tea given in
the executive mansion. In fact, there are
those who strongly suspect that the tea
was given for this express purpose.
Etiquette at Court.
One of the most peculiar features OF
Washington, from a social standpoint, is
what is called court etiquette" for lack
of u better term. From the primitive days
of Martha Washington down to the present
administration the law social has remained
about the same. The other ladies of the
White House were quite naturally averse
to making changes, but Mrs. Cleveland
likes novelty, and quite a few innovations
in the social life of the nations capital may
be looked for before the end Of the prescn
administration.
Foreigners whovisit Washington and arc
fortunate enough to get within the lines OF
the administration circle are so surprise
at its utter simplicity that they never fail
to comment upon it. Reared in the old
world, they cannot understand how Il peo-
pie such as ours can be on such terms Of
equality with the ruler of the land or with
his wife. There is no ruler III the world so
easy of access as our president. 1t is true
that within the last few months the presi
dent has been constantly guarded, but this
has been due to the generally unsettled
condition of the country and the alarming
number of cranks who seemed to regard
Washington rs their Mecca. During war
times there was mounted battalion known
as the Presidents Guards" who accom-
panied the chief executive wherever he
went. But this was abandoned as unneces
sarv and useless Perhaps if it had not
been Garfield would still live and Guiteau
would never have been heard of.
The Cleveland Guards.
Those who watch Mr.. Cleveland now do
not gallop up to the White House in uni
form that glistens in the sun. On the con-
trary, any one of them coul easily be mis-
taken for one of the many visitors from the
country who throng to the White House
every day. But they know their business,
and cunning indeed is the man or woman
who escapes their watchful eyes.
President Cleveland does not like this
It is evidently extremely distasteful to him.
He protested vigorously against it at first,
but finally agreed out of pure Difference to
4 Lo Vricboc of frians1S Mrs. Cfova1.rI tr<,