The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-20
WASHINGTON DEBUTANTE.
Walden Fawcett Describes the New
Order of Things in Society.

Not many years ago it was a gen
orally accepted theory that the young
lady whose lot was cast in Washing
ton-although she was envied by her
sisters in all the other cities of the
cOuntrV-had in reality q far less en-
foyable existence than girls in less pre-
tentious social centers. This contention,
though not without foundation, was
based largely upon the prevalence OF
certain exceptional conditions at the
feminine members in the junior popu-
latiOn, the paucity of eligible young
men, a disposition to omit the names OF
younger daughters from invitation lists
even in social circles, and the inevita-
bic overshadOwing of the modest func-
lions of the younger set" by the spec
tacular events of Washington social
and diplomatic life. Now. however. the
young ladies' of the worlds most beau
tiful city are rapidly coming into their
own in the matter of social privileges
The new order has been brought
about to a considerable extent by the
prominent part which Miss Alice
Roosevelt the daughter of the White
House, is taking in the social life of the
capital but it cannot be attributed
wholly to that source President and
Mrs. Mckinley although they mad no
children of their own, displayed while
in the White House, an exceptional
fondness for young people, and it was
during the administration of President
RooseveIt's predecessor that it first be
came customary to enliven the most
formal of state functions by the merry
talk and bright, smiling faces Of pretty
young girls.
The conditions which in the old days
nlarred the happiness of many a young
society queen. who in any other city
than Washington would have exercised
extensive sovereignty, exist yet to q
considerable extent. The American
young man who is keen and crisp and
Z -r< 1car1a a n
his dignity to tread the measures OF
the dance or indulge in ping pong, is a
comparative rarity at the seat OF gov
eminent
However. the society girls of Wash
ington are finding consolation under
such conditions in the gaIlantries Of the
young army and navy officers stationed
at the capital and more especially in the
mastery compliments OF the younger
members of the diplomatic corps. This
class Of Washington's population has in
creased immensely Of late years, owing
to the estab lishmeut of new diplomatic
households and the enlargement OF old
ones American officers and foreign
partners. they are almost without ex-
ceptiOn travelled and cultured in the
cosmopolitan sense, and what Is graft
fving in the eyes of many q girl. they
wear gorgeous uniforms and decOra-
tons.
The debutantes. who make their for
nal entrance each winter into the so
cial domain at the capital. constitute a
coterie as distinctively interesting to So
ciety at large as the group of newly
appointed diplomats who enter upon
their duties at Uncle Sans seat Of gov
eminent at the opening of each season
Not in many years has there been so
universal a manifestation Of interest as
that aroused by the bevy of buds" who
engage in social functions for the first
time during the winter of 1902-1903- The
number of .debutantes is unprecedented
" large. Miss Roosevelt's debut last