The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-01
HER TACT AND GRACE
WHAT A CHARMING PERSONALITY
HAS DONE FOR MRS. MORTON.
The Ex-Nice Presidents Wife Helped
to Make Memorable the Harri-
son Administration.

patriotism, talents and hat. Yet patriotism
and p broad-brimmed beaver are not ev-
erything in an administration. We nave a
government of the people. by the people,
for the people tband plays here, but the
people are constantly travelling and ex-
tending their ideas. A national government
conducted on Jeffersonian ideas Of frugal
ity and economy is no longer popular. The
people justly claim that they pay their
high officials well and they expect TO see
them make some display.
AS for making social display, Mr.. and
Mrs. Harrison confined themselves to the
regulation state functions. Six o'clock tea
and Baby Mckee in the drawing room
was what they were used to. and what
they did at Washington. Theirs was, in
deed, a republican court very modestly and
economically planned.
The vice president, Mr.. Levi f. Morton.
had been brought up in the wider sphere
of New York. He had employed an Eng
lish butler and footmen years before he
went to Washington. His chef had a con-
tinental reputation. His eouipages were SUI
perb, and Mrs. Morton was a lady who.
above all Others, was especially adapted 20
be "grande dame" so the American peo-
pie nodded their heads sagaciously and said:
1--WE have the Harrisons for pure patriot,
ism and the MOrtOnS for true 1asnlcl,
and the American government Went on
beautifully for four years under those aus
pices.
The Mortons were quite ready % fulfil
their part of the obligation. Mr.. Morton
having turned his New York house, on the
northeast corner of Fifth avenue and Forty
second street, into shops and apartments,
Immediately bought a nc Use on Scott circle,
in Washington. The papers OF the day de-
scribed it as palatial. and the suite of rooms
available for entertaini1 g We're said to sur
pass those in the White House. Mr.. Nor
- Il 12nl - rhA hntrcn rhrah
he bought from Professor Bell. Two i'm
posing entrances admitted the visitor TO a
large reception hall furnished in oak. One
of the new rooms was a state dining room,
opening on the left into a smaller break
fast room beyond. Two Iarge drawing
rooms, a library and music room completed
the suite.
The Mortons moved into their new home
in November, 1889. Mrs. Morton brought
with her the reputation OF having mann
tanned the most agreeable establishment In
Paris.
Her hotel became so well known and en-
I joyable to Americans and foreigners that In
1881 the Project Of the Seine wrote to Mr..
Morton to the effect that the square upon
which they lived had been named La Place
des EtatS Unis.'
MRS. IN WASHINGTON.
Society in Washington during the Harri-
son regime needed just such a leader as
Mrs. Morton. The S. s. Howlands, the
David Kings, the Redmonds and many
Int new IOIh mn ido pCth a.
tracted to the capital by its equable climate
and natural beauties. The foreign and dip
lomatic element was exceptionally attrac-
tive. All that was needed was some one
woman with sufficient social authority and
tact to make Washington an ideal resi-
Dental city.
Mrs. Morton was the woman for the oc-
casion. So thoroughly did she uphold the
social end of the Harrison administration
| that future generations will look back upon
the days OF Baby Mckee with regret.
Mrs. Morton was Miss Annie Street. Her
and, like many other old New Workers,
was not rich. Miss Street was a. social
favorite in New York society, while Mr..
Morton was making fame and money as
a banker in Wall street. They were mar
ried in lSIs. and Mrs, Morton Of st f1Tnd n Ter,
with everything the female heart is sup
posed to desire.
The house on Fifth avenue soon became
one of the most desirable to visit in all
New York. Mrs. Morton's name was on
the list of every subscription ball, and the
beyond number.
Then followed the brilliant career in
| Paris, the return home and Mr.. Morton's
| election to be Vice President
1t was on January 9. 1890, that Mrs. Nor
tor formally opened her social campaign
IN w ia Presiaent tn ahd GcS Mrs. H oelhg Nh
] Morton took Mrs. Harrison in to dinner,
and the President gave his arm to Mrs.
L = " OLnth S0NSec
tary and Mrs. Blaine, Secretary Window,
Secretary and Mrs. Tracy, Postmaster
aard Mrs. Noble. Secretary Proctor, General
Schofeld, Mrs. HaZen, Attorney-general
and Mrs. Miller. Minister and Nine. Ro-
nero, Baron Fava, Baron De Strive, MRS.
Logan and Mrs. Hobson.
From this time on followed a succession
Of lat homes dinners ana = 9a an 10 on v Seobt
ington was not SO often What does Presi-
dent Harrison think?' as Where is Mrs.
| Morton?'
The elder daughter was now of an age to
be brought out. and inheriting the mothers
captivating manners, she collected all the
wheel within a wheel of her mothers prom
inence.
THE MOVE TO ELLERSLIE.
Mrs. Morton had spent much of her girl
hood at Poughkeepsie, and was deeply at
tached to the Hudson river. Newport, al
though a delightful sphere for the employ
ment of her sociabilities, was too damp
for Mrs. Morton's health. so in 1856, when
the Kelly place at Rhinebeck was in the
market. Mrs. Morton persuaded her hus-
band to buy it.
E,lerslie then became the real home of the
Mortons. Under Mrs. Morton's super
vision the old house was pulled down and a
that appealed to all the finer emotions of
Mrs. Morton's nature. The river takes a
bold sweep by the old village of Rhine
beck. and a view of surprising beauty was
to be obtained from the new house. Mrs;
Morton so planned the arrangement OF
rooms that from almost any window nature
in her loveliest modes was discernible. The
great view is looking from the piazza and
from Mrs. MortOn's boudoir, the landscape
and river reaching away south as far as
the eve can see.
The coming Of the Mortons into the
neighborhood gave additional zest TO the
autumnal festivities on the river. Their
nearest neighbors were the Livlnsstons. the
smo the Schuylers, the Lydig Hoyts
and the Ogden Mills families. connected
with Mrs. Morton either by ties of blood
or by social affiliations.
When completed Ellerslie was pro-
nounced 10 be the most beautiful place on
the upper Hudson.
1t was not so old-fashioned as the Lang
don house at Hyde Park. whose owner
Walter L. iangdon. died last week: not as
elaborate as the Rogers' domain and less
pretentious than the Dinsmores'. but IL was
in every sense a most livable house.
The rooms are all wide and broad. Omen
ing by big folding doors into the great hall
of the breezes. but Mrs. Morton found
annie room for the exercise of her ex.
quisite taste.
Ellerslie is the Mecca of the Morton fam
ily. II is there that they HE themselve.
when returning from Europe or Washing
ton. The arrival of the family Is ALWAYS
greeted at the Rhinebeck station witt
of their distinguished resident. and are es
pecially fond of Mrs. Morton. The fv,
young ladies. too. have been growing III
largely at Rhinebeck and ~exerting thei
influence with their mothers in making thl
dril winter life In a Hudson village morl
bright and entertaining The three eide
daughters are still abroad with Mrs. Nor
II k~. 80. 49, Anx~A 49,