Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-04

-~-~ - !" 49, sAAS SSeSoOAA'
These two words have but one mean
ing here at the seat Of our republics
power and magnificence. They bear
no reference to the renewed applica-
ton of craftsmanship to be occasioned
by the reassembling of Congress on
Monday. "The season" belongs solely
to those fair funtionaries Of official
life who, by happy example set in the
history of long ago, are allowed upon
The fresh dawn Of each year to offer
themselves formally to their country
rs the flowers, the music and the poe
try which refresh, soothe and inspire
those minds burdened with the cares
of state. Washington official society
combines the pictueresqueness of the
courts Of Europe, the extravaganza Of
New York's 400, the blue blood Of the
Quaker City, the culture of New Eng
land, the hospitality Of the South and
the sincerity and independence of the
West. 1t has it's "off" years, just as
politics has, save that the off, year
in politics is the con" year in society.
The reason for this is that at the be-
ginning of each Congress there are
many new lights which must bear
seasons testing before they can shine
with all their power. The same and
more is true of an administration. 1t
has become automatic that the second
season of an administration is notice
ably more gay than the first while the
last winter is always a season when
unusual extravaganza is employed to
leave deep impressions behind.
Just now is the hight of Debutante
season, always the vestibule to ''the"
season. 1t begun the day after
Thanksgiving and will last until
Christmas. Already Miss Rosemary
Sartoris, Presidents Grants grand
daughter, has made her debut, while
Miss Alice Hay, daughter of the pre-
mier, Mile. Marguerite Cassini, niece
and adopted daughter of the Russian
ambassador, and Miss Jane Foraker,
daughter of the Senator from Ohio, are
among the rarest Of the galaxy yet to
be introduced.
Christmas week will be more or
less quiet, a fitting season of rest more
In theory always than in fact, prior to
the exciting drama over which the
curtain will roll on New Years day.
Some official homes will yet adhere to
the fashion, set by the Cleveland ad-
ministration, of tying red bow to the
holly wreath placed in the window
All formal functions of official sig
nificance will of course await the an
nouncement of the White House pro-
gram. An invitation from Mrs. Nc
Kinley cancels all obligations made to
others for the same date. The first
lady of the land is privileged to inter
pref any other excuse for absence than
illness or death as official-social insub-
ordination and precedent will allow
her to erase such an offender from the
list.
More than usual crowded and con-
gested condition of the White House
will obtain this year. Some slight i'm
provements for the accommodation of
guests at receptions have been ar
ranged within the past year. New
oak and hat boxes have been devised
for temporary use in the front vesti-
bule. Accommodations are now af-
forded there to more than a thousand
people. Six new hat-racks for 122 peo-
pie were also added and an arrange
ment was made whereby the State din
ing-room might be cleared and used
partly as a cloak room. To hide the
baroness of the new hat boxes, Col.
Bingham, in charge of the White House
arrangements, had purchased at half
cost some secondhand valour, previ-
ously used for the decoration of the
apartments of the Universal Postal
Congress. Additional space for exec
utive receptions was also gained by re-
moving the Marine band from the
front vestibule to the great conserva-
tory.
Some dissatisfaction was last year
occasioned by the Presidents scheme
Of receiving Congress in three sections.
Another change liable to hold over this
season was that Wednesdays rather
than Thursdays were usually reserved
for White House functions. Still an
other departure wrought last year de-
prived the diplomatic corps of the US
ual honor of having the first official
reception given to it alone. Alternat-
ing receptions and dinners will be Civ
en- at the White House at equal inter-
walls throughout the entire season, end
ing, of course, with Lent. There will
be four receptions and three dinners.
Each circle of the official set will be
entertained probably in sections and
together with sections of other circles.
Only one sxrd was formerly issued at
the White House to cover all four re-
ceptions, thus giving the holder pref
hso1, 1n ;<r11%