The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-13
CAPITAL CHAT.
Those Who Cut a Dash in
Washington Society.
The Westinghouse and the Briccc- "A Lit.
tile Trick Upon socicty--Hc First shouted
"cuckoo"--A Warm Heart and Big Brain.
Mrs. Lamont's Popularity.

"cuckoo"--A Warm Heart and Big Brain
Mrs. Lamonrs Popularity.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 12.--[Special. lit
costs money to cut dash In Washington
society. I am told that the luncheon
which Mrs. George Westinghouse Ravo re-
Gently to 90 OF her lady friends at hotel
IN this city cost about So, 600. The lunch
con itself was as fine as tho skill OF the ca
tercr and confcctioncr could mako II, par
ticular dishes being imported from Eu-
ropo by cable order for the occasion.
Tho wines were OF the costliest. Tho
floral decorations were simply indie.
scribablo. Tho souvenirs, beautiful con-
trivanccs OF silk and satin, hand painted,
must have cost SS or $40 apiece. The
Bricc musicale which almost imme
diately followed the Westinghouse lunch
coon, was another expensive affair. The
principal artist was Ysnye, the Belgian
violinist, who received $500 as his fco for
few moments playing. Other performers
received smaller sums, and with the flow
ers, wines nnd confoctions the total cost OF
the evenings entertainment ran up to al
most fabulous figures.
Popular In Society.
IL Is commonly reported that the social
activity OF tho Westinghouse hero COM
bincs business with pleasure Congress.
which acts as the coin-ion council for the
Capital City, has always frowncd upon OF.
forts TO Introduce tho trolley street car sys-
tem in this town. Mr.. Westinghouse, who
20 tho great inventor and manufactures ot
Pittsburp, believes congress can bo In
duced to change its mind and permit the
introduction of tho trolley syscom in the
capital. At any rate, tho social activities
of himself and wife aro in part ascribed
TO that motive, though thcro is no doubt
ing tho popularity Of both Mr. and Mrs.
Westinghouse on their own account.
In conversation with high official Of
tho government the other day, one whose
duties keep him on tho jump from carly
morning till late ut night, / learned lit
Ito trick Of tho society game which had
hitherto escaped my observation. II am
too busy to 90 to oil tho5o receptions"
said tho official, "and have TO choose be-
tween society md my duties, and natural
ly prefer 20 attcnd TO tho latter But
have found way TO satisfy tho demands
of the society people without any trouble
TO myself. When there is reception at
which ought by good rights TO be pres
ent, give my card to somo fricDd who IL
going TO attend and ask him 10 slip the
pasteboard into the basket with his own.
When the papers como ont, my name is
printed in tho list of guests present, the
host and hostess get whateyor satisfaction
there Is In that, tho people who actually
attended tho affair never know whether
was there or not, but suppose, OF course,
was, even IL they did not sec me, evory
ono issatisflcd, and hnvo my time TO my
self. Don't you think 1t good scheme"
he Coined New Word.
Tho traditional dignity Of tho senate
has received something Of a blow In the
appearance on tho floor Of that great body
of the new senator from Washington, Mr..
Wilson. No one denies that Mr. Wilson
is a clever man, as bright as they mako
them and fully competent TO make good
senator, but he does love joke and docs
not care much how no makes 1t. It was
ho who year or two ago shouted
"CucSool" when the presidents great ad.
mircr, Mr. Tracey of New York, made n
speech in tho house in praise Of the occu-
pant of the White House. Wilson did that
out Of puro devlltry and through rollick.
ing lovo of fun, and the house was con-
vulsed with laughter. That littlo incident
caused the word to be taken up, and now
cuckoo may be said to have become
part OF the language.
Mr.. Clarkson OF Iowa, who used to be
first assistant postmaster general In tho
Harrison administration, and who is ono
OF the koenest politicians in tho country,
has been spending few days here. Mr..
Clarkson has temporarily abandoned poli-
tics and taken up railroad building. Eo
is now engaged upon the hcrculoan task
of building a line of road from Salt Lake
City to Los Angeles, 1900 miles Mr..
Clarkson is one of the most popular men
n a. HI
him constantly surrounded by senators,
representatives and other prominent peo-
plo here. Tho attentions paid him arc
tributes to his warm henrt and big brain,
and men of both political parties delight
TO honor him. Ie Is supposed that he Is
in charge Of tho Allison presidential move
ment, which is pretty sure to be heard
from during tho next 10 months.
lied Snow Skates.
Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt
has been having a great deal Of fun of
late. Washington, like the remainder OF
tho country. has had considerable cOld
weather In fact. tho past winter has
boon tho coldcst known hero for many
years. MIR. Roosevelt recently received
from Norway q pair of Norwegian skis, or
snow skates, aud he has boon patiently
waiting for combination OF snow with
freezing weather to try them, the snow
skate requiring not only snow, but tenn
peraturo low enough TO make the surface
hard and glary. During last weeks cold
wavo Mr.. Roosevelt went tn the hill hnrd
by the beautiful castle of ex-senator Hen
dorson of Missouri and amused himself
and largo crowd OF spectators coasting.
Occasionally no had bad fall, but tho
plucky civil service roformor picked him
self up after ovcry tumble and tried it
again. His chum, Senator Lodge, was
thcro with him, but Mr.. Lodgo could not
be induced Co try the snow skates. He did
not think IL would bo digriilod fora Unit
ed States senator to 60 tumbing nbout
the streets with sticks of wood tied TO his
feet.
No family In Washington is more ropu-
lar In social life than that Of the secretary
Of war. Mrs. Lamont Is tho youngest
of the wives Of tho members of tho
cabinet and ono OF the most charming