Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-01-16
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 1902.


tion, at which some eight thousand
people grasped the presidents hand and
received cordial dinner, at which
president and cabinet minister and
foreign diplomat, standing shoulder to
shoulder drank to fair Columbia and
her continued pros perity, 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 season in
the national capital may b. said to be
tairly 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
il is doubtful if 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. Roosevelt confined the invitations
to the ball to the younger set and the
result was an absence of that fermality
which is unavoidable where those, long
passed their dancing days, are in the
majority. Seven hundred invitations
were sent out but fortunately only five
hundred persons were present and as
result, by midnight dancing could be
enjoved with comfort.
From this time on two and three in
vitations for every evening will be
received by those who are in society and
before the White House cotillion on
Shrove Tuesday gallant young lieuten.
ants and the heavy dancing men OF the
embassies aud legations will have
danced themselves into a state OF
excavation which will furnish ample
excuse for the pIotracled summer leaves
OF absence. A novel feature OF last
nights dancing program was the fact
that four times the almost forgotten
lancers 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 lead Mrs. Roosevelt to
order the lancers 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 as.
sembed today TO shape the affairs OF the
nation in the halls OF the capitol. There
was an evidence OF renewed interest
among the members OF congress who
gathered in Washington today and it
almost seemed as il some of the
abundance Of energy which emanates
from the White House had permeated
the chambers of the national legislature.
Tariff and canals, reciprocity and party
politics were discussed with a vigor that
gives promise OF a 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 it is rather contemptuously
styled, which the lsthmian canal placed
on it, s40,000,000, is regarded as an
evidence 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 lthe property or not.
! asked Senator Morgan whether the
new developments had altered his
position, yesterday, but he maintained
that it would be improper for him to
express himself on the subject except
officially and to the senate. | doubt,
however, even from his refusal to dis.
cuss the matter, that he is still the
same ardent champion OF the Nicaragua n
route as heretofore.
The present program seems to be TO
rush the Hepburn bill through the
house OF representatives and then can.
vas The merits Of the two routes at
length in the senate. This will give 10
Senator Morgan, who is probably the
best posted man on the subject in con-
gress, 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 wou ID
require the better part Of the session to
satisfy the senate OF the merits of either
route and secure the necessary appro.