The times., 1897-12-12
WHITE HOUSE Receptions
Change in the Day Causing Ex-
citing Discussion.
is WEDNESDAY TO BE CHOSEN?
Cabinet Officers Wives Crowded for
Time-social Functions at the Ex-
ecutive Mansion and How They
Have Been Changed by Former
Presidents-History of the Past

has been undergoing perfect tempest Of
exciting discussion over the mere change of
Wednesday for Thursday on the program
OF entertainment at the Executive Man
sioa.
People wonder what it all means, and all
sorts OF rumors are afloat as to the cause,
while others declare such things were
never known to occur before, as though the
conventional life of tie Presidents house
hold had always been as now, than which
no opinion could Be wider Of the mark. Of
ficial etiquette of this Republic, like its
political structure, is matter Of evolu-
ton, anG grew out OF some need for proper
official expression or our social life, 10
give tne final touch OF civilization. That
Il has faEen short-weI, had as it l., it may
have nesn rude and uncouth at times, but it
has never been marked by the Iooseness OF
the foreign courts or kings or the First En-
plre of France: and little by littie il has
been refined and changed until we almost
have soulesaing that people can look upon
without bIushsng for its Appropriateness
Pcopls Aave wondered what the ladies' Of
The Cabinet are going TO do about it, since
tbs six Presidential receptions are set Gown
Tor six consecutive Wednesdays, the .iay''
% the Ladies Of the Cabinet for years and
years If rumor be true these ladies' have
held a notable caucus to consider what
cnu-so 20 pursue, under the Craftsmanship OF
the accomplished and experienced wife of
the Secretary Of State.
They are agreed that If Cabinet OIL
2 f..Ftss
in the Executive Mansion, as in days Of
yore -glr:s fact being questioned by some
there must be some compromise on their
part. First cut, aholishiRg the old
time custom Of serving refreshments on
their reception days; second cut, TO
shorten the time. making it from TO 4,
instead OF to 9, thus EaininS time for i
Htule rest between the at home and the
greater public function 70 which, in case
they are hidden 70 assist, nothing short
OF death serves as an excuse tor declining.
1t was found impossible 10 choose an
other day, az all the days OF the week,
between rHe opening OF the Official sea
son, in January, and closing at Lent,
were pre-empted 10y some one on the
official list, such as Supreme Court circle,
Senatorial, Congressional. and diploma tic
da rs scattered all through the week, with
only Saturday. the matinee holiday left.
But this experiment is not likely to out
last TINS one season, a. huulan flesh can
not stand two large receptions in one day
for six consecutive weeks without incur
ring nervous prostratioE. As said before,
st has been broadly hinted that 1t would
be agreeable 70 Mrs. Mckinley TO omit
assistance on reception nights except
behind the line ~ since as she mas TO sit, 70
would bc easier for her 10 do the honnrs
alone, il it il not too crowded, than ia
company. And II such is really her de-
sire, there is no DOUBT the President VIII
zee that lter wishes are regarded, al this
whole Innovation has be@n made with
reference 10 her welfare alone, and the
excuse is most timely, as the great crowd
that visited the Executive Mansion on
reception nights has long needed relief
Of soHe sort. The precedent once estab-
lished, by a four years experiment, il
VIII bc likely TO be unGisturbed until
some rther pressing occasion comes along
To cause a new ruling.
Every change that has been made in the
customs OF the White House on official
occasions has had good excuse for being.
The change has always been in the inter
est Of greater convenience, law, order,
refinement. or q proper regard for national
dignity. Laugh and deride Official eti-
qaette, SIS We all do CT occasion, but a mo
ment's thought VIII convince one that
some expression OF conventional life
is necessary since people have a right
to expect something Of those occupying
high official station. We must, some
how, have an appropriate and dignified
nresenfation on state occasions.
But now for a little history. The two
greatest Democratic Presidents, Thomas
jefferson and Andrew Jackson, socially,
In the Executive Mansion, literally kept
the democratic doctrine that all mel
were born free and equal, and no one
however humble was excluded any more
than in Abraham Lincoln's time. Only
at the time the two great Democrats ruled
In the Executive chair, it was customary
to entertain, refresh with both food and
drinks, not SOFT at all receptions, and
also on Inauguration da AL corners. Thes
men were literally eaten out Of house anC
home, and found their salaries OF S25,
900 Ill too small to meet expenses. JEFF
ferson left the White House oyerwhelmeC
with debt, from which he never, although
he sacrificed every available thing, full!
recovered; and Jackson had To draw ON tn
income from his Tennessee farm to meet
expenses incurred while he was PresI
dent.
ON Jack sons first Inauguration Judg
Story has left this note: "a perfect mo
followed Gen. jackson from the CapitC
60 the White House after his Inauguration
A profusion Of refreshments was served
such as orange punch, which was sen
around in pals, for which the mob made
rush. pals upset, and broken glass wa
AL over the house. To such a painfJ
degree was this rndeness carried, that ice
intended for ladies present never reache
their destination, and finally to draw OF
the crowd. punch was carried out into tn
yard 10y tie tub fun The rudeness of
modern jam at the White House beai
no comparison to this scramble for some
thing to eat OF drink, with an abando
which was almost swinish. In their ca ga
ness to catch a glimpse OF the Presiden
men III heavy boots stood on the SAITH
covered furniture, and in many simila
ways destroyed not only the furniture, bu
the dignity of the occasion.
Jackson himself was disguised, for, roug
as his exterior was, he had a refined an
gentle soal, as his devotion to his wife S
clearly proved. And il was at the close /,
his second term that the celebrated ''battl
OF the cheese took place in the Executiy
Mansion. and Jackson openly showed h
disgust, and said he hoped his successo
Van Buren,, would introduce a change f.
something more decorous.
Martin Van Buren not only took up II
Demoeiac acy where Jackson left off, b,
made up HIS mind To introduce mucI