The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-04
Copyright. lv71

Washington, Dec. 3.-The social sea-
Ron i'm Washington depends for its gay
ETY. on so many things that at this time
of the year all the men and women
who make a business of pleasure be-
gin TO inquire anxiously about the out
look for entertainments. Cabinet peo-
pie and others i'm official life help To
make or mar the season, and entertain-
ing is SO intimate part of an adminis-
trations duties that men have been ap-
pointed TO the cabinet for no better rea-
son than that they were rich and able
to give fine balls and dinners. Society
has even unmade administrations. 1t
was "A social question, you will remem-
ber. which broke up Andrew Jackson's
cabinet and caused the resignation OF
all the members of il excepting one.
The presence or absence of wealthy
people who make a winter resort OF
Washington determines in some degree
the character of the social season
Deaths may change the outlook, too, by
throwing wealthy. hospitable families
into mourning. 1t is not surprising,
then, that the list of possible entertain-
ers should be scanned every season by
men and women who are looking for
ward TO afternoon teas and evening
dinners. To balls and receptions, as the
chief source of the winters pleasures.
Tho Last four VARS We're not very sat-
isfying 10 society. In the first Cleve-
land administration was William G.
Whitney. and the history of social
Washington shows no entertainer SO
lavish as he. No week passed without
some social celebration at the Whitney
house. In the next administration was
John Wanamaker who rented the
Rouse which *ile Whitneys had occu.
pied. and did great deal OF lavish en-
.e-tainng.
Mr.. Clcvelands second cabinet was a
poor mans cabinet" Mr.. Olney was a
man cf large professional income when
lie left Boston. but not a man OF prop
orty. Mr. Carlisle had never had more
than his salary as a congressman. ex-
cept an occasional legal fee. and he had
10 liye strictly within his cabinet sal
ary Secretary Herbert was the tradi-
tl0nal poor southerncr. He eked out his
salary with an income from magazine
articles, for which he received from
$3.50 10 $500 each. In fact, all OF the
cabinet We're men OF modest means.
In the present administration the
president. the vice president and the
members of the cabinet are wen able
to fulfill their social obligations. and
the administration must contribute the
greatest amount TO the fund of social
enjoyment.
A great deal OF gorgeous entertaining
is done at private houses i'm Washing
ton, but by far the greatest occurs in
the homes of men in high official life
The cabinet officers necessarily lead i'm
this, and as their entertainments are
semipublic. no one who is respectable
need lack an opportunity TO take part
in them OF course. the president comes
first. with a series of four great recep-
tions at the White House and with
state dinners at intervals, at which he
is expected before the season ends. To
entertain individually every member OF
the diplomatic corps the $50 members
or the house and senate and great
many department officials and distin
guished visitors. The vice president en-
tertains or not as he sees fit. Mr. Ho-
bart is wealthy and fond of society. ana
lie Is planning 20 entertain Handsomely
~ the Don Cameron house on LAFAYETTE
square. which lie is occupying during
Ut.
retary of state Is expected to entertain
the diplomatic corps at breakfast on
New Years morning and TO give other
entertainments IN its honor ana 10 dlc-
iinguished visitors. Secretary sherman
has a home on Franklin square which
IS better planned for fine entertaininr
than any other in Washington ana h.
has the wealth which makes lavish on
pertaining possible. The other lnemhors
o. the cabinet have fine houses ana
many Vf them are wealthy. Secrota,,,
-Aiger Is "A very rich man. and bo 4,
very fond of entertaining. lie has tols-
en fine house - X street. Secrato.
~ Gage and Postmaster General Cs,.,,
are both wealthy So Is Secretary Russ
Among those not i'm the official c,rci,.
who viii entertain well the frs, is Nrra
George WESTINGHOUSE. Mrs. Westine
house is the wife OF the fortunate man
who invented the airbrake and 20 no
came q millionaire. They have a baa,,-
tiful home In the suburbs of pitfsbnr,,
and fine country house at Lenox but
Mrs Westinghouse has spent her win
ters TOR several years past i'm Wash-
irgton. At the Arlington hotel three
years ago she gave some cnfortnin.
ncnts which are still quoted as cx,n,
pies OF extraordinary iavishness. The
roses and orchids for ono OF her din
ncrs cost $4,000. Last winter Mrs. West
inshouse took the old Blaine house ON
Dupont circle, which was for many
Years the home of the Letters. Ii II ono
Of the most spacious houses I'm NVash-
iry'cu. Airs. WestiHs44-rt--r-vva i'm
mourning last year. but in the roming
, ason she Us expected 10 give some
vsis 1De entertainments
inc Letter house. on Dupont circle.
~ better eqgipped FOR large entertain
nents than any other house in wash.
'ngion. On the first floor are library.
recefuon room. music room. dining
foorr 9nd morning room. Ni.o A broaa