The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-09
Washington Society In a Stir
With ]. Addison Porter

Mention was made yesterday of the
social agl ALTON raging at the national
capital, because of the new regulators
promulgated by the redoubtable phi
vate secretary of President Mckinley,
j. Addison Porter. Mr.. Porter has sue
ceeded in changing the dates of certain
social functions ait the White House,
and in consequence the cabinet ladies
have held council of war, and hurl de-
fiance ait the head of the pert secretary.
The cabinet ladies insist that they will
retain Wednesday as their recepI ion
day, Notwithstanding that the public re-
ceptions Of President and Mrs. McKin-
ley will occur ON the same day. They
resent the aggressiveness and bad man.
ners of Private Secre airy Porter, ard
announce that they will not permit this
self-constituted social censor to dictate
ito Them about anything.
A few days ago the wives of the cab
met officers met in solemn conclave at
the home of Mrs. John Sherman and ar
ranged their plans for the approach
dng social campaign. After these nota-
BILE women were thoroughly aroused,
they touched upon many needed reforms
in the social life of Washington, and one,
perhaps pluckier than her fellows, sug
gested that, In view of the execrable
manners of many who frequent public
receptions at the capital, than there
shall be served no more refreshments
at the homes of the cabinet officers dur
ing thse largely attended social ftnc-
tions excepJ on New Years Day This
suggestion was In accord with the senti-
memt of all the ladies present, one of
whom expressed herself to the effect
that persons who have never at. ended
our at homes would scarcely credit the
recital of some of gthe things we see
around our refreshment tables. Why,
do you know that some of our callers,
after having disposed of one heaping
plate of refreshments, will conceal the
empty plate behind a curtain or under
a table, and braZenly ask for another?
81 have no iced that some of my call
ers, who appear to be ladies and gentle
men, remain at my house just as long
as there are any refreshments left, al
though they may have long since filled
all he requirements prescribed by social
usage. A lady who was visiting me
some time ago said to me after assisting
me at one of my at homes: Really, by
the action of some Of your callers 1
feared had made a mistake and stray
ed into a free lunch parlor.'
Just think of r.! Is it not time we
had made some reform?"
The wife of another cabinet officer
made this criticism: "How absurd it is
to say we are in revolt, just because we
called this meeting 10 discuss the change
in THE date of THE White House recep-
tfons AS a matter of fact we are glad
that some changes are being made, as
the receptions held al. the homes of
some of the cabnet officers, and at the
White House during the last adminis,ra-
ton, ceased to be social functions, but
developed into mobs of well-dressed men
and women. 1t is time we reform the
condition of affairs
'I am dn favor of not only discontinue
ting the serving of refreshments at our
receptions, but of sending out cards of
admission with cards of invitation, so
that we may be sure to have only those
we purpose to invite, instead of having
inflicted upon us persons Of whose an
recedents and social standing we know
nothing"
There was no; a dissenting voice when
the suggestion was made that in 1.-THE
future no refreshments be served and
that cards of admission be required from
all persons who present themselves at
THE receptions of The cabinet ladies.