Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-22


Washington. u. c.. Jan. 18th, 1888
People who come to Washington an
ticipating 81 good time this winter are
greatly disappointed in the seasons
outlook. Ladies' who spent the
autumn In planning the winters cam
paign have so far found no use for the
costly tollettes intended for the dazzle
ment of manklnd-the money for which
Ia many cases was not easily coaxed
from the pockets of pater famlllas in
these hard times. Perhaps the most
dissatisfied clique In Washington's
400 Is the diplomatic corps, whose
members are accustomed to brilliant
seasons In their own and other foreign
capitals The omission Of the time
honored New Years reception, and the
merging OF the first evening reception
by the President and his wife (Which
has already been given exclusively in
honor of the corps dlplomatlque). into
Joint reception for that body, the ju-
dietary and both houses Of Congress
are innovations not rellshed by the
representatives OF kings and emperors.
1t smacks altogether too much OF RE
publican simplicity" and brings them
down too nearly to the level of plebian
clay to suit their titled highnesses. Be
sides, II will allow no opportunity for
displaying the splendid tOilettes above
mentioned. An invitation from the
President being equivalent to COM
mand. the diplomats must. perforce.
attend the jumbled function. but the
accustomed brilliant show of court
dress, jeweled orders and decorations.
which have hitherto been the conspic-
uous features of the diplomatic recep-
lions and made them the most gorgeous
functions of II Washington season. Will
be missing.
Another much-oriticized departure in
this first evening reception OF the Nc
Kinleys, is the omission of the officers
OF the army and navy from the list.
which VIII rob 1t still further of the
glory of gold lace and brass bottons.
Separate cards of invitations are to be
issued for each evening in the series
of White House functions. so that the
guests hidden to attend on Jan. 18th.
will not be expected on any other fol-
lowing reception. unless especially no.
tilted by second card OF invitation;
but as the President has set his foot
down against having cards of admis-
sion presented at the door OF the ma
TONS house. It is to be feared that the
invited guests-whether ambassadors
be crushed quite out of recognition, but
the unlimited, well-dressed contingent
1t is safe TO predict that all these inno-
vations Will be rescinded before the
present administration is q year older
Secretary Porter Is responsible for most
of them--and he Is new to so-called
society" in Washington. Experience
is the best teacher, and the old order OF
official functions was established by
those who thoroughly understood the
exigencies of the case.
According TO the blue-boois OF official
etiquette, the President and his wife
are not compelled to accept any invita-
tions whatever--and to do so, In ordl-
nary instances, would be the worst pos
sible FORM" President Cleveland
never entered any private house, in
washington or during either OF his ad-
ministrations, though his young wife
broke the rule on two or three occa-
sions for ladies' luncheons. The Me-
hinieys,however, are scheduled for sew
eral semi private functions In the near
future. They will dine with secretary
OF state and Mrs. Sherman on Janu-
airy 20th; with secretary OF war and
MIS-. Alger on Jan. 22nd, with attorney
general and Mrs. McSenna, Jan. cath;
with postmaster general and Mrs. Gary,
Jan. 2,th; with secretary and Mrs.
Gage, Jan. 31st; with secretary and
Mrs. Bliss. Feb. 4th. Vice President and
Mrs. Hobart have invitations out for a
reception. In honor of President and
Mrs. Mckinley. on the evening of jan
nary 2sth. They give a dinner to the
President today. on Jan. 26th occurs
the usual diplomatic dinner in the
White House On Jan. 27th. the Presi-
dent goes to New York to attend the
National Manufacturers banquet at
the Waldorf; ond on February 22nd,
he attends the reception of the Uni
versity OF Pennsylvania, In Philadel-
phia. II seems to be understood that
when the President accepts a dinner
invitation this winter, the other guests
need not be limited to the official cir
Gle. Hitherto. on the rare occasions
when President has consented to
dine out" he has been expected to
meet only the members of his cabinet
Mr.. Arthur was the greatest dining out
President we have ever had. He was
seldom known to refuse an invitation,
whether to meet his own special favor
ties. or other prominent people of the
day. including visiting lions"
The period of mourning prescibed by
official etiquette for the Presidents
mother having now expired, the sena-
torial homes are generally open to cal
lers on their day" which Is Thursday,
and most of the hostesses have crowded
drawing-rooms. The ladies' of the cabi-
net viii resume their receptions on
Wednesday, Jan. 10th. The celebration
of New Year at the Russian embassy,
Whith WAS utItfItu On OF the
mourning aforesaid. occurred on the
18th instant. and was an occasion of
note, being "A bit out OF the common
The new minister from Russia, Count
Cassini. has not yet arrived but Is ably
represented by Mr., De Wollant, charge
d'affaires of the legation. New Year
festivities always include ball which
is looked forward TO with engerness
by the younger members OF the smart
set. The tables We're spread with all
manner of strange delicacies, prepared in
Russian style, and every one who came,
can enormous mob, of course), partook
without being asked, MS is the custom
in the cars country on the great ma
tional holiday. Count Cassni who Is
now on his way from Paris, Is middle
aged. rich and unmarrled-and there
fore II goes without saying that he will
Immediately become n social star OF the
first magnitude. He is said to he very
found of society. and TO be imbued with
the true Russian spirit of friendship
for Americans. During his residence
in Hamburg, some years ago, he gave
entertainments so brilliant that thuy
have become historic, and II IL pre-
sumed that his stay here viii he
marked by the same lavish hospitality
Equal in interest to the Russian cele-
bration is the annual New Years feast
in the Chinese legation, which was also
postponed this year TO the evening Of
Jan. 25th. Nine. WI Is q most gracious