The Savannah morning news., 1900-12-23
CHRISTMAS AT THE CAPITAL.
WASHINGTON VERY QUIET DURING
THE HOLIDAYS.

Hand" Tor GtHfA.
washington. Dec. 2-Congress has
mover been able TO successfully compete
with Christmas. When Santa Claus ar
riyes IN Washington. che Senate and
House OF Representatives close up shop
and retire 20 their respective homes. ieav-
ing the merry old gentleman. who ought
90 be everybody's friend practically IN
possession OF the national capital. From
the foundation OF the government down
to the present time, Il has been the prac-
lice for Congress 20 take a recess during
,hs holidays. The adjournment Is usually
token several days before 81. Nick ar
rlves. so that no has never had che priv
iere Of seeing the national legislature at
work. The usual custom has been fol-
lowed this year and already many Of the
senator's and representatives have left for
their homes TO spend the holiday season.
In congressional circles. Christmas OBJ
eervances and the exchanging OF gifts Is
generally confined 70 members OF the
came family The late Senator Leland
stanford OF California was the first and
only national legislator who assumed the
role Of Santa Claus at Christmas time for
the benefit OF the immediate employees OF
the Senate Chamber. Although Senator
stanford had no children Of his own. he
was devoted TO young people and took de-
light in contributing 10 their happiness
NJ his abundant means suggested The
frs, year he was in che Senate he OH
tanned from the subtrcasury az California
new mintage Of iive-dolar gold pieces
which he distributed among the . little
boys who serve a. pages IN the Senate
chamber. Zach succeeding year while
Sd uator Stanford remained in the Senate
the pages received from him a i've dollar
gold piece at Christmas time. senator
stanford on those occasions deputized the
venerable Capt. Bassett. now passed
away. 20 play the part OF Santa Claus
ana right we'll he looked the character.
Ills suoW-White hair and beard. riddy
complexion. merry eve and cheerful
voice assisted ia making the character
complete and about Christmas time. tho
dear old Captain was dubbed Santa Claus
hv the little boys OF the Senate. Al
though there are many wealthy men In
inc Senate to-day none OF them have
attempted 20 follow the precedent set by
Senator Stanford which caused universal
rejoicing among the Senate pages At
Christmas time.
AZ che White House. President McKin-
ley and hts wife DO not try 70 make
much OF the Christmas festival Having
30 children OF their own and their guests
at this time being grown people. there
's.ll be little or no Christmas celebration
"a the Executive Mansion beyond "A gen
eful exchange OF gifts and "A quiet family
dinner President Mckinley and his wife
make It a rule 10 remember al Of the
official and domestic members OF the
household. according TO circumstance.
Mrs Mckinley has spent many pleasant
hours recently making with her own
hands. Christmas souvenirs for relatives
and dear friends.
Former occupants Of the White House
no had children or grandc hildren. cele-
hrated Christmas by having a gift tree
eot up IN the library on the second floor
Mrs Cleveland during her husbands last
eanniuistrato made a great event OF
Christmas from a child's standpoint \
teauununy decorated tree was reared In
tho childrens play room up stairs, ana
Invitations were scnt out tu tho
names o. the Mi sos Cleveland-Ruth AMI
Esther-to all Of tho little people In the
cabinet circle. Al a given hour In tho
afternoon, the little people. accompanied
hy their mothers or their nurses. assem-
h|ed az the white House. witnessed ths
lighting Of the tree and enjoyed a good
romp with President aud Mrs Cleveland
leading IN the merry making. Right here
8, rs but fair TO state that no occupant
OF the White House during the past half
century enjoyed a romp with little chill
aren more than Grover Cleveland. He
stll retains fondness for little folks, oc-
cordiug 10 the latest private advices from
Princeton.
President Lincoln Gen. Grant President
Hayes and Gen. Benjamin Harrison also
made much Of the Christmas festival dur
ing their occupancy OF the executive
mansion. Veteran employees who servive
the lamented Lincoln. relate 20 this day
how "Oid Abe" would get down on the
floor romp and play with his children
and their little companions under the In
splration Of the Christmas season SO Il
was with Gen. Grant. II Is said that he
could extract more fun from assisting
IN decorating a Christmas tree and the
distribution OF presents Il contained man
many OF the little folks. Mrs. Grant was
also an enthusiastic and generous promo
tor OF Christmas entertainments Her
iihcrality In the bestowal Of Christmas
presents WAS effectively expressed BY an
old Southern nanny" at ono time
servant IN the employ Of the Grant fam
ily. when she said. dc ole misses never
forRits any one. Tor she has hand heavy
for Gift" The Hayes's and tho Harrisons
celebrated Christmas az the White House
with Christmas trees and attending cere-
monies. but Nellie Arthur probably had
the most brilliant chNdreus CHRISTMAS
party ever given Ia the executive mansion
She was just old enough when her father
was President 90 appreciate and elaborate
n children's party. With her aunt 70 con-
duct the entertainment. invitations were
sent 20 more than a hundred children In
the official circles. II was IN che nature
OF n fancy dress party. judging from the
beautiful aud costly costumes some OF the
little people wore There was a brill
lantly lighted Christmas tree, delicate re-
freshments and penl live Santa Claus TO
distribute the Gifts. There was music.
dancing. and just such merry-making as
little people between the ages OF ana 10
years old most enjoy. There are young
ladies OF society to-day who never weary
or recalling Nellie Arthur's Christmas
parties al the white House. one Of the
principal features 81 one Of her Christmas
PARTIES was a completely constructed doll
house sufficiently large 20 permit child
Of from 20 % years old 20 enter II
was beautifully furnished and Nellie Ar
thur was che envy OF oil her little asso-
ciatcs IN consequence. The little doll
house. somewhat impaired by wear and
tear, r. now stored away In the basement
OF the white House.
Throughout official circles the usual
preparations are being made for proper
celebration Of she Christmas festival All
Az nil