The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-31

the press associations. This report
stated that many of the leading ma
irons of the city had decided to dis
pense with the serving of refreshments
at their receptions for the reason that
the courtesy was abused by many who
seemingly attended these functions for
the purpose of winning and dining elab-
orately at the too lavishy- supplied
buffets, of their hostesses. Beyond a
general admission of these statements
1t was impossible to obtain names or
details until saw a woman who oc-
cupies high position in Washington.
and who was shocked and indignant
at the true condition of affairs.
1.-THE reason for this sudden burst of
indignation against the society glut-
tons" she said. lis this. A week ago
a woman--the wife of a foreign diplo-
mat-gaVe an afternoon reception
which was attended by the usual mixed
gathering. The woman herself would
not be tolerated in New York's socie-
ty. After the reception this hostess
found a young woman who had been
her guest In the billiard-room on the
top story of the residence where the
reception had taken place. The girl
was hopelessly intoxicated with cham
pagne. She was unconscious and her
y
was Of undoubtedly good family, the
daughter of a public official, and nj
most a school-girl so far as expert
cnce goes. A man whose name would
be recognized mmediately-a dapper
foreigner who was received socially in
New York and Newport-had induced
the girl as a lark to go to the bill
liard-room with him, where walters
were bribed to bring luncheon and
wines. When this girl awoke to con-
sciousness of what had occurred she
was almost demented. Her hostess
had cared for her and had notified her
family. She felt that she was dis
graced. She wept and refused to see
even her people. 1t is through the
man, undoubtedly. that gossip Of the
matter finally went about Washing
ton. The girl had gone to her home
in the West. but It was this matter
which precipitated the crusade against
gIuttony at Washington receptions.
This is not the only case" said my
Informant, 'in which this particular
man has participated. In no other
city in the world would 1t be possible
for him to continue on his course OF
reckless disregard for feminine virtue
or reputation. The peculiar network
of diplomatic relationship In this city
has so far protected him. The nature
of the occurrences in themselves Is
such that exposure would. mean ruin
to the young women concerned.
This man is a favorite with
the women of the foreign diplomatic
circles. He Is invited to their houses
and there he meets innocent and beau
tiful girls who come under the spell OF
his personal attractiveness and who i'm
agine that they are simply entering
into some escapade of little more i'm
portance than midnight spread In one
Of their college dormitories. When they
awake to a consciousness of what II
has meant, they are naturally on the
verge of suicide
This woman told me of many similar
instances. This man is a typical man
and this case is a typical case Illus
trating the peculiarly lax condition of
affairs in Washington's social life.
There is too much champagne drunk
at the receptions in Washington to
make them sale places for inexperi-
enced young girls. There is too little
chaperonage of girls This Is the real
secret of the trouble. Many OF the hos
tesses themselves are notoriously free
IN their behavior with their men guests
at such RECEPTIONS Society at the
capital Is too conglomerate and free.
Members of the foreign legation In
their gorgeous robes, officers OF the
army and navy In gold lace and but
tons, dazzle the young woman who
comes to the city fresh from her school
life, perhaps, to be plunged into the
dissipations and free-and- easy condi-
tions that exist in Washington. A
waltz or two and what seems like
Harmless filtration on such a girls part
leads her into some madcap freak
from which she finds there is no es-
cape but death Her very innocence
and lnexperience are the weapons
which cause her self-destruction.
The whole fabric OF Washington life
in a certain circle is corrupt. There are
certain men who will never be exclud-
ed from the drawing g-rooms OF the
wives of the foreign diplomats. The
license Of the hostess leads to the dis
grace, or what amounts 10 the dis
grace, of innocent girls. Some of these
girls are sent home; some go abroad
with relatives; others continue on
their reckless course that they have
accidentally fallen into; other die by
their own hands. The receptions given
at a certain one of the foreign Legal
tions are marked by such an utter lack
Of ordinary decorum or decency that
the men of Washington attend them
as they would go to a French ball in
New York.
On the altar of politics, there must
be many sacrifices. but the sacrifice OF
innocent girl-life In Washington Is
shame upon the records of the entire
country as well as Of its capital The
morals and principles of foreign courts
combined with the freedom and PRO
gressiveness" of American girls has re-
suited in social condition which must
disgust and discourage every think
ing American man and woman.