The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-11

life In his own way, not caring for So
ciety. Both the doctor and the grocer
had all family friends with whom they
kept connection, and most Of these
friends were members Of the Metro
politan club. Membership in the Met
ropolitan Is considered a social test
IN Washington. The doctor belonged
to the club. The grocer did not. One
day the doctor suggested that his
brother join the club. The requisite
number of sponsors was obtained and
the grocer's name was put up.
Then came an emissary from those
in authority-a confidential agent who
whispered in the DOCTORS ear. He sug-
gested that the doctor withdraw his
brothers name, because IL he did not
the brother would be blackmailed The
doctor asked Indignantly what objec-
ton there was to his brother. He was
Informed that 1T was the grocery, moth
ing else. Personally the doctors broth
er was very much liked, but really a
man couldn't be expected to associate
with his grocer. So said the club mem
bers to whom he appealed. The doc
tor thereupon took down his brothers
name and resigned from the club.
There is only one thing which may
redeem man who Is in trade. If he
gets into congress, his business sins
may be forgiven. A man who kept
retail clothing store in Boston became
a member of the Metropolitan club
some years ago. He was the man who
approached Justice Lamar on the floor
of the house one day and seized the
lapel of his coat. After the fashion
Of a Southern statesman Of the old
time, Mr.. Lamar fastened only the low
er button of his black frock coat and
let the upper part of it roll negligently
open.
you shouldn't wear your coat that
way, Mr.. Lamar" said the clothier-
congressman. you should wear it
this way" And he dexterously tucked
Mr.. Lamar's shirt down at the sides
and buttoned his coat as trinity as
though he were a young blood about
to parade the avenue. Mr.. Lamar
thanked him and went around looking
very unlike himself until he left the
hall of the house. Then he unbuttoned
his coat.
"OUR SET''
Of course we ought to have an arts
tocracy Of true worth in this country
where all men are equal, and I hear a
great many people who come to Wash
ington criticise those people who live
here and entertain handsomely and
who restrict their invitations to the
members Of "our set" I think the
critics don't stop to consider that So
ciety events are supposed to be a form
Of recreation; that people are invited
to take part in them because of the
qualifications they possess-agreeable
conversation the means and desire to
give fine entertainments, the official
position which makes it possible for
them to be Of service to their enter
tainers in some way, and finally family
connections, which are supposed to as
sure refinement. And If they will look
back 100 years they will see that the
fathers were far more arfstocrattc than
any one at Washington affects to be
today. When George Washington was
made president, he called his official
friends in consultation to determine
how he should carry himself, and this
conference agreed that the president
must not call ON any one; that he
must not shake hands with his guests;
that he must give formal levees at
stated intervals. At these leVees the
president always made the circuit Of
the room, bowling to his guests, and he
and Mrs. Washington retired as a sig
nal for the breaking up of the assem-
blage. Today the presidents right
hand is mark for any American citi-
zen who wants to enter the White
house. When the presidents house was
built, it was intended for a palace
and that is what Abigail Adams always
called 1t, though in her day it lacked
even bells to summon the servants.
Today many people think it affectation
to speak of the house as 1.-The execu-
tive mansion and 1t is known popu-
larly as the White house.
REAL DEMOCRACY.
Jefferson broke down the aristocratic
customs Of the president 8 house and
they have never been restored entire
ly. No one will say that it is not the
peoples house who has seen it as
have seen 1.-THE presidents wife re-
ceiVing her personal guests i'm the green
parlor with group Of sightseers and
guide standing at the doorway looking
on.
You hear of very few congressman
taking part in the affairs of the very
gay world. Speaker Reed, for example,
goes to official receptions or dinners in
his official capacity and attends private
entertainments now and then. But
he is not, strictly speaking, a society
man." Senator Brice is the most per-
sistent devotee Of society in official
Washington. He is very wealthy and
his entertainments are the finest given
during the social season. Senator Hale
is another devotee Of society. He mar
ried fortune, and he gives fine din
ners, though he seldom entertains in
any other way. Representative HIT,
Of Illinois, is one of the most agreeable
entertainers in Washington. Senator
Proctor is another. So are Representa-
tive Washington, Of Tennessee, Senator
Elkins, of West Virginia, Representa-
tive Reyburn, of Pennsylvania, Sena-
tor Wolcott, of Colorado, Representa-
tive Newlands, of Nevada, Senator
Gibson, of Maryland, and Senator Stew
art, of Nevada, but the list would fill
half a column. And no doubt a great
many people whose movements are
chronicled daily in the newspapers
would find that they had been omitted