The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-02

wAshiNU1ON. ID G., Jan. line
PRESIDENT Of the United States undertakes
q social obligation which Is small COM
pared with his official burden: It's term Is
loss than two months. Under ordinary
circumstances II begins with the lat OF
january. ana ends at the beginning OF
Lent. Within that period most OF the
Presidents evenings are devoted 10 giving
uinners and receptions. Fortunately ne
~ under no obligation to accept social
courtesies. In Washington's time the ett-
Quette OF the administration was graveiy
debated by members OF the Cabinet. ana
III was determined that the PRESIDENT
should make no calls Officially and ac-
ccpt no official invitations: IN his private
capacity he was 10 do as he close. rms
was John Adamss advice and Hamii-
tons. end although Jefferson thought
bith or them were tainted with notions
from foreign courts. this definition or the
Presidents position has stood the test
OF more than hundred years. President
Mckinley may accept any invitation that
pieases MN: but ne Is under no oDliga-
lion to be entertained. ana IN fact he Will
probably go 10 very few houses OUTSIDE
the Cabinet circle during his administra-
iion.
There are two social aspects IN winch
the President can be viewed-tne omcial
nnG the personal. Inc nrst varies nttie
from ono administration 10 another. Inc
receptions ana dinners winch President
Mckinley will give are those which Mr.
Cleveland gave and Mr.. Harrison gave
those which custom has made necessity
IN the round OF the President 4 dulles
The only radical variation OF the official
programmes Will be in the issuing OF invi-
tations. Heretofore an omnibus invita-
ton has been issued in December. cover
ing all of the receptions. These recep-
tons are:
me pupnc reception on new year
Day. which. however. was not given TINS
year on account Of the Presidents recent
bereavement
The diplomatic. judicial. and congress
eional reception. which occurs this winter
on the 10Th OF January.
Diplomatic Dinner. January 18th:
Judicial and congressional reception, |
February 2
Supreme Court dinner. February a.
Army and navy reception, February 10: |
Congressional diplomatic and judicial !
reception. February q.
The public reception. March ];
No invitations are required for the pub ]
lie receptions. but for the others individ- !
ual invitations are 10 be issued with as
elimination. Heretofore those who were |
invited TO the diplomatic reception were |
invited to all the others. and the invita- !
tiOns were addressed 10 Mr.. --- and la !
dies. Cards were not required at the door |
and not only most or the invited guests ,
but great many persons VINO were not |
invited Hooked to the White House ana |
came a horror instead OF Joy. Inc |
White House. which has at the outside |
accommodations for Leo at a reception. |
held sometimes as many as $500 or even
; 600 men and women, and the crush was |
SO great that clothing was torn in the |
The mob at a White House re-
ception WAS SO notorious that a great |
many diplomats and officers or the army |
ana navy used 10 leave the city IN pre-
ference 10 attending. Besides. there was
ha.nH
I'd Into the old building. II had been
found after some OF the receptions tnai
beams had cracked ana floors ware threat |
ming 10 give way. So Mr.. Porter ana |
'ol. Bingham after consulting with tho
PRESIDENT. established the new order OF
Kings. which IT Is haped VIII make the
Presidents receptions democratic but
iecent.
Tie receiving party NJ all the recep-
ions II the same. the conditions vary
lite. The President wears fun dress Of
curse. at the evening RECEPTIONS and the
aides who assist him are all IN ruiz re-
.puOn toilet. Ihey have always been
he wife Of the President. the wife of the
'ice-President and the wives or dausn-
FRS OF the members OF the Cabinet. TINS |
eas or there VIII be an innovation. Mrs. ,
'orter and Mrs. Bingham Will be added
D the list
80 Mrs MCkrnlov is well enough TO re-
Give with tho President. she Will sit al
rs right. Next her. will stand Mrs. l1o-
art. then Mrs sherman Mrs. Gage. Mrs
'lger. Mrs. Long Cor her daughter, n
FRS. Long shall he indisposed) Mrs Bliss
irs. Gary. Mrs. Criggs. Miss Wilson. Mrs
'orter. and Mrs. Bingham. This is ac-
ording 10 the official order OF Cabinei |
'rescedence which recognizes the Sec |
etary Of State as the ranking Cabinet
other Cabinet offices on |
he order Of their original Importance. OF
their creation Mrs. Porter. the VIE
Z the Presidents secretary. and Mrs |
ingham. the wife Of Colonel Bingham |
. 8. A.. WHO has charge OF the White |
ousc come last
The members or the Cabinet ana the
residents secretary occupy a place OF
importance at the reception |
hev always rgCort the ladies' Of the re-
swing party from the upper rOor of the
'hite House 10 the Blue Parlor when |
70 roc option hoor has arrived hut when
10 little parade is over ana the receiving |
arty has been marshalied across the
ont Of the Blue Paror. the Cabinet
ith the exception OF the Secretary OF
tate disappear in the crowd OF assist
nts." whom the Presidents wife mas
vitod 10 stand tthind the line. ana are
)t seal again until they come TO escort
leir wives nome.
There are always thirtv-five or more
-illiantly dressed woiDen IN the auxiliary
ceiVinc party They gather in the Blue
al lOr and the Green BarlOr adjoining. |