The Portland daily press., 1897-01-23

president Arthur WAS perhaps the
only ssociety man" In the general sccep-
tation of the term We have ever had. He
had a natural aptitude for the social side
of life and it's reanements, combined
with infinite tact, dignifed, polished
manners, an effective appearance, ard
a striking personality. He brought into
the usually staid, If not depressing, at
mosphere of the Whits House, the
warmth Of genial and generous nature.
He was to be seen often at the receptions
of his cabinet officers, and endea snred to
make himself as agreeable as possible to
his hostess and her guests. his dinners
and informal entertainments were char
RcteriZed by great elegance. Iney were
more like those of private gentleman CT
wealth and position in their effect tean
the average state dinner. Whlle Mr.
Arthur. was at all times fully alive to the
dignity of his position he WAS conslaeI
ate: of others, always accessible, ann kept
up at the same time with society the
intercourse. and the due observance OF
the amenities and proprieties OF polite
life required. Society felt that there
was no danger of any social soiecisns for
foreigners to laugh in their sleeves over
while he was president, and that, while
| free from airs and graces, he was
match for the most accomplished courtier
and diplomat and equally at home with
every description of American.
| President Cleveland, if one may judge
| by his to Administrations, seema to have
been governed by tn Q idea that the presl-
dent is an official and not sociel person.
The receptions, state dinners, receptions
of diplomats accredited to this country,
| delegations and celebrities generally,
have been transacted in good humored
way, as If part of the routine of the office
and regarded as part of the stage bust
ness. These functions have lacked the
atmosphere and charm of social life in
their machine like automatic movement.
Without the presence of Mrs. Cleveland
and her gracious ways and i'm
mense popularity they would have
ling editor of a herd book and a lawyer.
just Ebeginning practice, atterwnrd ia
sheriff and governor of New York, he
had neither time nor the INCLINATION for
society. His first genuine contacts with
it may be said to date from his marriage
late in life, when all of his habits we're
formed and settled. 10 serious man
devoted to work for works sake, and
with disposition which would chafe
under the enforced idleness of q society
mans life, the president finds his racie-
alton in his family life and in fishing
and shooting with a few coERenial spirits
He may be said to have substituted for
society proper his friendly and intimate
intercourse with a few families and
companions during his summer outings.
His contact with passing thousands at
reception, his dinners to his oabinets the
diplomats, the judges EOf the supreme
court, with here and there senator ana
member of Congress, cannot be conslu-
cred, by reason of their sameness and
| cfficialness, refreshing or Tecreating. In
fnct, with plenty of work always on hand
| the president enjoys it more than any
thing functions or society can offer in
the way of relaxation. II he were ia dis
| tinguished state prisoner he could NOS be
| l. ore unfamiliar sight on foot in the
streets of Washington He is rarely
| seen except when passing in his carriage
out for drive. The wildesb imagination
| will fail tC grasp 1.-The entertainments OF
the idea for n moment of his walking
down the avenue daily like Mr.. Buchan-
an, while establishment would be equally
seen strolling up CONNECTICUT avenue or
through the publicsparks. 1t would sbe
unjust to Mr.. Cleveland, however, TO
SD poss him to be unsocial in bis nature.
| All Of his shooting and hunting friends,
| his fishermen comrades, like Joe Jetfer-
outing he il delightful companion, con-
genial, good -humored, with keen license
of fun; has fund OF good stories, is
fond of the good things Of life, dsvoted.to
INSTANTLY and friends. The ssocial side
OF the mall is kindly and humane The
business ana OulClal SLUG Is UGSluSpS
and duty all the way through.
Custom and etiquet, these twin jailorp
of the White House. decree that here In
Washington the president cannot visit or
be the guests Of any one.s Yet this rule
does not apply, strange to say, to MN
out of Washington; just why, it would
puzzle the lord cha N beFlain TO say. Is it
not possible to relax or modify this pc.
culiarly American IDEA Of what the chief
magistrate should 10 or should not do at
the capital? The idea seems to have be-
come rooted and fixed that it Is incom-
patible with the dignity of his position
for him to be the guest here OF private
citizen, although Ii is mot thought an
infringement OF decoIum for him to be
elsewhere. The custom in question may |
be founded in the rule in England, where |
the sovereign is never the guest In the |
capital, but may visit and be entertained
by the subjects as for instance, when the |
queen visits the seats of her nobility. 1t
would seem to. be a strange anomaly that |
willis sovereigns abroad mix freely at |
times with their subjects and are always
in close contact with the society they are
supposedEto be the fountain heads Of, our |
presidents should be cooped up and linz |
ited in way to their official families and |
a few people, while on tside there is q |
large brilliant and charming society, |
which he sees on masse in struggling |
mob surging past him on reception days,
without an, opportunity for word even
with familiar face.
The wives of the presidents or female
relatives who preside over the White
House. while governed by rigid etiquet
In the matter of visiting and other
things, with these exceptions. lead pretty
much the same lives as other ladies in
society, receiving their immediate circle
of friends, on certninsdays, driving and
shopping. entertaining with luncheons
and dinners, and visiting the ladies of
the cabinet and sometimes attending
their receptions. The social and official
duties, however, of "the first lady Of the
land" are so onerous and exaoting that
she has but little time to make the grand
round of visits, even if custom permit
ted. Mrs. jackson was quiet home
body, caring nothing for official func-
tions. Betty Talyor. old Zach's charm
ing daughter, was fond of society, and
in the short time she presided filed the
White House with sunshine and cheer