The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-24
CABINETS SOCIAL LEADER.
Mr. Gary With His Daughters and
Millions to Do the Entertaining.

Washington, March 24-President
Mckinley's administration is to be
marked by a democratic simplicity
along its social lines. The president
himself has so decided.
There is to be no lavish display of
wealth. IN the state and private func-
tions of his cabinet officers Outside
the state affairs the social burden is
TO rail- to the lot of Postmaster Cen
eral James "A. Gary, the Baltimore
multi-milionaire. President Mckinley
himself is a poor man. number of
poor men were invited by him to enter
his cabinet They told him very frankly
in their visits to Canton that they could
not afford it, for it has become neces-
sary for cabinet officer in Washing
ton to entertain magnif1centiy. He
as frankly told these gentlemen that
his administration should be marked
for its social simplicity, and that the
DUTY OF entertaining on any large scale
would devolve upon one member of the
cabinet, who was to be a wealthy man
and able to afford it.
1t was the selection of the member
of the cabinet who was to be the social
Whitney of the administration that
caused the greatest trouble. Judge Ma
than Golf of West Virginia, was the
first choice, but he had to decline the
honor for family reasons. His declin-
alton seriously embarrassed the presi-
dent-elect. 1t caused him great anx-
1ety until he had seen and talked with
Mr.. Gary. The Marylander was told
he must take up the social burden.
He was informed that Mr.. Sherman,
while healthy, was too old to entertain.
Mr. Long had left politics in Massachu-
settS because he was too poor to re-
main. General Alger would do his
share, but could not lead. Judge Nc
Kenna was out of the question for fin
ancial reasons, as was Mr. Wilson of
Iowa. Mr. Gary was reminded, in addi-
ton that he had a number of daughters
in society and could very easil assume
the Oscial leadership.
Mr.. Gary accepted the portfolio, after
a consultation with his family, under
the condition imposed. He has already
perfected his plans to secure possession
of one of the finest houses in the north
western section of the city. 1t is
beautiful stone structure, we'll adapted
to the social functions he will give. At
one time he was on the point of leas-
ing the residence of Colonel John Hay,
the new ambassador to England. but
found that this house was not large
enough for his purposes.
Postmaster General Gary will not as
sumo his social leadership until later
in the year. One of his daughters, Miss
Ida, is to be married on April to a
young lawyer of Baltimore named Pc
gram, and the family cannot come to
the city until after that event. Mr.
Gary is rated as one of the wealthiest
men in Baltimore. He is a large man
ufacturer, and is the sole executor of
the estate of Enoch Pratt, the noted
millionaire philanthropist. Mr.. Pratt's
heir, a nephew, married the eldest
daughter of Mr.. Gary.
Mr.. Gary has never entertained on
a large scale in Baltimore. His daugh-
tiers have all been society bellies and
their functions have been the extent of
the social life of the family during the
winter In the summer months, though,
Mr.. Gary has always kept open house
in his handsome country residence at
CatonsvilIe a suburb of Baltimore.
There he has an estate of 1000 acres,
most handsomely kept. He will bring
with him to this city only two unmar-
ried daughters. Mr.. Gary and his wife
are widely known in the charitable
world of the Monumental city.