The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
WASHINGTON'S SOCIAL SEASON.
Mrs. sherman on the Eject of the
Probable Death of Mrs. Mckinley.
Special In PHILADELPHIA Times

OpSSlLA III E-1llduelpHld Times.
Mrs. Sherman, to whom precedence is
given among the wives of the Cabinet off,
GERS in all social matters, as the wife OF
the secretary of state. from the fact that
who has heretofore filled the role of Cabinet
lady' doubtless possesses larger knowl-
edge OF the etiquette observable under all
conditions of official life.
When asked to-day what effect in her
opinion the probable fatal termination of
the illness of the Presidents mother would
have upon the social season lust opened
here, she said:
1.-THE President is a devoted son and
tire for time at least from social doings.
But I think he will probably feel that his
position as President imposes obligations
that he may not for personal reasons dis
regard.
about the White House reception on New
Years day, cannot say. AS it is an off,
cial function, it would probably be held as
usual. But l cannot express an opinion
about it. do not recall any similar case"
did not DIR. Scott, Mrs. Harrison's fa-
Their. die at the White House during the
Harrison administrations
Yes, but not in the season. Mr.. Dent,
Mrs. Grants father, also died there during
the Grant administration. But were not
in the Cabinet then, and do not remem-
Der how it affected the social affairs of the
Presidents official family. We would OBJ
serve the usual thirty days mourning and
discontinue our receptions during Decem-
ber."
Mrs. Sherman spoke with tender affection
of the venerable mother of the president
and referred teenngly 10 the ueNOtiOh CA
listing between mother and son.
Speaking of how few of our Presidents
mothers have lived to see them attain ttat
eTninence Mrs. Sherman said:
with General Grant, however, both pa
rents were living at the time of MS eleva-
ton to the presidency. Garfield's mother
outlved him and his affectionate considera-
ton Of her was proverbial. 1t was for her
that he had the elevator put in the White
House"
lected Wednesdays for the White House
functions in any way affect the Cabinet Ia
dies receptions or that day.?
I'VE had meeting q few days ago to DIS
cuss the matter. and decided to keep the
day as usual, and on the dates where White
House receptions fall on the same evening
to curtail our receptions-that is, the hours
and have them from till 5. We could not
of course, change the day. | have lived in
Washington forty-two years. and Wednes-
day has always been the day for the wives
of the Vice President and Cabinet officers
receptions Tho Clevelands had Thursday
for their receptions at first, but they
changed to Tuesday, because Thursday is
prayer meeting night, and there are serv-
ices in both the Methodist and Presbyterian
churches on that night and lectures in the
Episcopal Church"
There is no woman in Washington better
qualified to express opinion on social
matters than Mrs. Sherman Her long resi-
dence at the capital in both senatorial and
knowledge in all matters of official etiquette.
We are proud to have her regarded by the
strangers within our gates with whom her
position as wife of our minister of foreign
affairs brings her in contact, as repre-
sentative American woman.