The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-02

Washington. Dec. S0.-The president
of the United States undertakes So
cial obligation which is small compared
with his official burden: its term is less
than two months. Under ordinary cir
cumstances ii begins with the first %
January, and ends al the beginning Of
Lent Within that period most of the
presidents evenings are devoted TO Civ
ing dinners and receptions. Fortunate
ly, he is under no obligation TO accept
social courteSies. In WaShington's
time the etiquette Of the administration
was gravely debated by members of the
cabinet. and it was determined that the
president should make no calls officially
and accept no official invitations; IN his
private capacity he was TO do as ne
chose. This was John Adams auNlce
and Hamilton's: and although Jefferson
thought both of them We're tainted with
notions from foreign courts, this defini-
tion of the presidents position mas
stood the test of more than 100 years.
President Mckinley may accept any in
yitation that pleases him. but he is I'M
der no obligation TO be entertained, and
sn fact he will probably so to very
few houses outside the cabinet circle
during his administration.
There are two social aspects in which
and the personal. The first varies little
from one administration 10 another.
The receptions and dinners which Pres
ident Mckinley will give are those
which Mr.. Cleveland gave and Mr.
Harrison gaye-those which custom has
made a necessity in the round of the
presidents duties. The only radical
variation of the official programme will
be in the issuing of invitations. Here
aofore an omnibus invitation has been
al.af. iasr a "a a
regular receptions. These receptions
are.
The public reception on New Years
day-whch, however. will not be given
this year in consequence Of the presi-
dents recent bereavement.
The diplomatic, judicial and congress
sional reception which occurs this Win
ter on the 10th of January.
Diplomatic dinner. Jan. &c.
Judicial and congressional reception,
Feb. q
Supreme court dinner. Feb. 9.
Army and navy reception, Feb. l6.
Congressional. diplomatic and judi
cial reception, Feb. %.
The public reception, March !.
No invitations are required for the
public receptions. but for the others in
dividual invitations are to he issued
with discrimination. Heretofore those
who We're invited to the diplomatic re-
ceptions We're invited TO all the others
MFR and ladies" Cards We're
not required al the door. and not only
most of the invited guests but great
many persons who We're not invited
ffocked to the white house and filled ii
SO full that reception nights became
a horror instead of a joy. The white
house which has at the outside accom-
rnodations for 1000 at a reception, held
sometimes as many as $500 or even
5000 men and women, and the crush
hat oil mr.
in the struggle. The mob at a white
house reception was SO notorious that
a great many diplomats and officers oil
the army and navy used TO leave the
city in preference to attending, Be-
Sides there was danger in having SC
many persons crowded into the old
building 1t had been found after some
of the receptions that beams nae
cracked and floors were threatening Il
give way So Mr.. Porter and Colone
Bingham, after consulting with tbs
president, established the new order OF
things, which 1T is hoped will make the
presidents receptions democratic but
decent.
The press-which has never before
been recognized as a body though in
diyiduals have received invitations III
the past--will now be invited formally
the corps of correspondents being d.
vided among the last three receptions
There are Isl correspondents in the
thus formally recognizes the press rs
the fourth estate.
Any one who has experienced the
crush at a presidents reception vii
find only one flaw in those arrange
ments-the failure to require cards al
the door In Washington there has
been a disposition always to regard the
president and his cabinet public
property: and no large private recen-
rion at the white house Is wholly free
from intrusion of persons who have
not received invitations. The president
is not willing that cards should be de-
manded al the white house door; hut
no doubt the same purpose viii be an
swered in a measure by the printing
of alphabetical lists of those invited to
each of the receptions. These lists will
be accessible 10 the attendants, and II
any person who has not been invited
presents himself, he viii lay himself
open 70 humiliation
The receptions announced may pos
sfbIy be supplemented by one or two
Others not vet arranged,
The receiving party at all the reeep-
lions is the same. the conditions vary
little The president wears full dress,