The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-01-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Warrington, January 8, 1soa

washington, January 6, 1909.
Introduced by the New Years recep-
lion, at which some eight thousand peo-
pie grasped the presidents hand and re-
ceived q cordial greeting from 1.-THE first
lady In the land" which was followed by
state dinner, at which president and
cabinet minister end foreign diplomat,
standing shoulder to shoulder, drank to
fair Columbia and her continued prosper
ity, and which in turn was followed by
the gayest and prettiest ball which the
stately old White House has known since
the days Of Dolly Madison, the social sea-
son In the national capital may be said
to be fairly inaugurated and under the
most auspicious circumstances.
The coming out ball of Miss Alice
Roosevelt, eldest daughter of the presi-
dent, took place on Friday evening, and
1t is doubtful II more brilliant scene has
ever been Witnessed In Washington. With
exceptional consideration for the pleasure
of the older as well as of the younger
people, the President and Mrs. Roose-
welt confined the invitations to the ball
to the younger set, and the result was an
absence Of that formality which Is un-
avoidable where those, long past their
dancing days, are In the majority. Seven
hundred Invitations were sent out, but
fortunately only about five hundred per-
sons were present, and as a result, by
midnight, dancing could be enjoyed with
comfort.
From this time on two aud three invi-
tations for every evening will be received
by those who are in society, and before
the White House cotillion on Shrove
Tuesday, gallant young lieutenants and
the heavy dancing men of the embassies
and legations will have danced themselves
into state of enervation which will fur
nish ample excuse for the protracted
summer leaves of absence. A novel fea-
ture Of last nights dancing program was
the. fact that four times the almost for
gotten lanciers were included, and three
times the quite forgotten polka appeared
among the waltzes and two-steps. 1t was,
perhaps, the charming picture which the
square sets present, as dainty gowns and
brilliant uniforms thread In and out :,
which led Mrs. Roosevelt to order the
lanciers, but why the polka should have
been resuscitated remains to be explained.
But all Is not dancing and music and
favors In Washington, and more serious
affairs are engaging the men who assem-
bled to-day to shape the affairs of the ma
tion In the halls of the capitol. There
was an evidence of renewed interest
among the members of congress who
gathered in Washington to-day, and 1t al
most seemed as II some of the abundance
Of energy which emenates from the White
House had permeated the chambers Of
the national legislatars. TaFlff and Co.
mails, reciprocity and party politics were
discussed with vigor that gives promise
of session which will be as interesting
to witness as it will be important to the
welfare of the country.
The report that the Panama Canal
company will accept the price for their
"ditch," as 1t Is rather contemptuousIy
styled, which the Isthmian canal placed
on it, $40, ZOO, 900, is regarded as an evil
dence that the senate and house have
shown excellent business sense In their
handling of the canal situation, regard.
less of whether the United States should
decide to purchase the property or not
L asked Senator Morgan whether the
new developments had altered his posi-
tion, yesterday, but he maintained that
1t would be improper for him to express
himself on the subject except officially
and to the senate. doubt, however,
even from his refusal to discuss the mat
ter, that he Is still the same ardent cham
pion of the Nicaraguan route as hereto
fore.
The present program seems TO be to
rush the Hepburn bill through the house
of representatives, and then canvass the
merits of the two routes at length in the
senate. THE will give to Senator Nor
gan, who is probably the best posted man
on the subject in congress, an opportunity
to answer all objections as raised. A
senator, of whom inquired yesterday as
to the speed with which the subject would
be disposed of, predicted that it would
require the better part of the session to
satisfy the senate of the merits of either
route and secure the necessary appropria-
tion. 1t has been noised abroad that the
sum required to build the Nicaraguan
canal will prove to be nearer $500, ,OOO,-
600 than the $3.50 100000 estimated by
the Walker commission, and that has
proven serious impeachment to the wheels
of canal legislation, but the rumor was
probably started by the invisible lobby,
which is said to be opposed to any canal.
Senator Mason told me yesterday that
he was amazed, In view of the definite
and unequivocal report of the Isthmian
canal commission, to see the large num-
Der of senators who were still holding out
for the Panama route. There Is said to
be an ulterior influence at work." he said,
''but have seen no evidence of 1t except
the apparent change of heart of number
of the senator's" When suggested that,
aside from the matter Of price, the report
of Admiral Walker and his commission
appeared more favorable to the Panama
route he said: 81 have not had time to
examine into the merits of the subject,
but intend to post myself. Personally,
believe the choice of routes should be de-
ferred to the president. Another senator,
to whom quoted Senator Mason's opin-
ion, said that he thought the president
"would strenuously oppose the placing of
such heavy responsibility on his shoul-
ders."