The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-22
Especial Correspondents ]

Especial Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Dec 2O.=Already the
capital is buzzing with the preliminary
gayeties of the holidays and the White
House IS being decorated, or, as the local
wits say, put in a state of siege for the
annual midwinter functions, of which
the greatest viii be the various recep-
tons on New Years day. Washington
does not prepare or celebrate like any
other great city IN the nation. 1t is too
far south for winter gayeties and yet
not far enough for truly southern do
ings, and, more than all, the ceaseless
changes in its population have prevent
ed the formation of any distinotively
individual character as city. So many
currents are pouring in from all direc-
tiOns that, like the waters Of the lower
Mississippi, the product of thousands Of
variously mineralized streams, the re-
suit is perfectly neutral solution. One
does not see the store windows marvel
Ously illustrated with winter landscapes
and adorned with rich displays, as in
New \ rk and Brooklyn. There is no
very great array OF Christmas ever
greens, much less the snow men and ice
palaces which delight the youths Of
the north. The chances are two to one
that there Will be sleet or rain, the Pc
tolnac water which we have to drink Is
sure to be muddy, and if some Of the
lower streets are not flooded we shall
be in luck.
Washington Castles.
The president and lady, however, are
on their best behavior Each foreign le-
cation observes Christmas after the Gus
tom of its own land society ladies re-
ceive on New Years day, and, as to tur-
key, that goes without saying It is
really after New 7 ears that society does
its prettiest, and the various grades cross
and recross IN way that only nation
al McAllister could describe. Washing
ton is by a sort of political fiction set
down as a very democratic city. OF a
truth there are here as many castles as
in Hindoostan, and the odd feature of it
is that the president is in theory of so
cial law at the head Of all Of them.
There Is more discussion about the char
acter and talent Of Mr.. Cleveland right
nOw-in fact, more heated differences
of opinion-than there ever has been
since his political career began, but on
one point all parties and castles in Wash
ington are unanimous-that this is the
most exclusive presidential family that
ever occupied the White House
In Mr.. Cleveland s first administra-
ton there was more social freedom, but
at the publication Of family details, and
the reaction has carried them to an ex-
treme. The natural result is ''talk, .
and among the many mean things said
the meanest is that one Of the children
is mentally and physically weak The
story Is false, both children being quite
bright and healthy; but, like that cruel
story which everybody has heard about
the poet Longfellow's daughter, once
fairly started. it seems impossible to get
the belief out of the local public mind.
Franklin Pierce was the last presi-
dent who habitually walked about the
busy sections Of the city and accosted
acquaintances like a private gentleman.
His successor, both from age and natu-
raj disposition, was of very retired hab-
its, and what might have followed we
can only conjecture, for the war and
Lincoln murder put an end to presi-
Dental freedom forever. General Grant
and General Harrison occasionally walk