Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-03-24

minister has not. Consequently, with
out making any explanation or apology
for his cowardly and treacherous con-
duct, he hastily packed his household
effects and miserably sneaked out OF
our national capital. While here he
had been honored with the respect of
the administration. With typical Span.
ish cunning and cowardice he bowed
low, smiled and demeaned himself as
one who sought the friendship of this
country and who appreciated the le-
niency of our nation. At the same time
he was writing insolent and coarse al
lusions to our president in his officia'
communications, as well as to his per
sonal friends in Spain.
But to return to the white house din
ners. They are paid for out of the con
tingent fund which congress supplies
When state dinners are given the presi'
dent and his guests sit at table about
2h hours. They have their trained
walters slowly changing their disnei
and rapidly filling their glasses. There
is a waiter for every one present, and
constant attention is paid by these
sable servitors. For2is hours they eat,
drink and talk. There are no toasts
for the state dinners are not banquets
But they talk on all sorts of topics, just
as your neighbors will talk informally
when you have them to dinner in youI
| home. When they are finally through
with this long feeding and drinking
they get into cabs and carriages, drive
10 th..ir- 20 IN,I II. a
the effects of their gormandizing. That
is the plain and wholesome truth of the
matter.
These state dinners are gorgeous af-
fairs. The table service of the white
house would do credit to any monarch.
Between the president and his wife, in
the center of the table, is a great big
golden vase, filled with the rarest of
flowers. Candelabra of gold ard sill
yer make radiant the brilliantly
gilded and decorated room. There are
scores of wax candles, and there are
hundreds of little bits of electric lights,
half hidden with foliage. The forks,
knives and spoons are pure gold and
pure silver. The china ware is of the
most costly character, and all of it is
hand painted. So you see, when our
president enteretains, these important
personages he does it in royal style.
Now, whether our presidents enjoy
this sort of thing or not, is question
which cannot be determined. If any
president does not enjoy such social
functions, it would be inexceeding bad
taste for him to say SO. Afterwards his
guests would feel different, and some
of them might even decline invitations.
EX-presidents are also reticent. 1t is
we'll.
Whether this sort of procedure is
right or not, is another question. The
custom of social and costly entertain
ment is very ancient. Away back in
Biblical times, we read of social inter-
changes of costly courtesies. 1t is re-
corded that the queen of Sheba travelled
many miles, bringing tokens of admira-
ton to the court of King Solomon. The
royal lady was superbly entertained.
In the early days of our republic the
white house entertainments were very
simple, but they have increased in bril-
| iiancy and costlineSs, as the nation has
increased in population and in wealth.
| Whether these state dinners are right
or wrong, since it seems to be necessary
to keep up the custom, we may at least
take pride in the fact that our presi-
dent does the grand act with as much
! magniticence as king or emperor.
SMITH d. FRY