The Topeka state journal., 1903-02-28
WOMEN IN OFFICIAL LIFE.
Their Social Duties and Why They
Are Breaking Down.

Washington, Feb. 2s.-President Nc
IIinley told friend that the social du-
ties of an exalted official position were
the heaviest part of the burden
President Roosevelt recently expressed
the same opinion, but in somewhat diff.
ferent form, when he confded to his old
friend and guide, Bill Sewan that he
would rather go fishing than attend
White House receptions
Washington society is inclined to ridi-
cule the statements of physicians in va
rious parts of the country who say that
the social requirements here are not so
exaeting as in New York, Philadelphia
and other large cities.
AS a matter of fact, there is nc. drudge
in kitchen or WorkrOOm who is obliged
to undergo the grinding life of promi
nent Washingto
me machinery or social etiquette IS
very cumbersome and was certainly de-
signed for simpler conditions of the ma
tional life than now exist.
To record what is obligatory for the
Wife Of the president and the wives OF
the cabinet officers and other high Off
cials, IS sufficient explanation for the re
cent collapse Of Mrs. Roosevelt and Mrs.
Philander G. Knox, wife Of the attorney
general.
The mistress of the White House il.
as much at the command of the Amer
lean public as the president. She musS
receive delegations of women visiting
the capital, extend small receptions to
all who request it and at all times be
ready to appear at social functions given
for charity. These are informal occa-
sions which may occur several times 4
week, and with which no previous en-
lgagements can interfere.
4he state functions are sufficient to
exhaust the energy of the most ambi-
=, tlous woman These consist of four re
cepdlonS, 10 each OF which at least . Goa
I persons are invited. and the New Years
I reception, to which everybody can 90
fhe New Years reception sometimes
SWeiis TO S,O00 guests. and while this
/ long procession IS being reviewed the
presidents wife must stand beside her
/ husband and a least bow graciouslv ii
not able to endure the fatigue of grasp
! ing the hand
The New Years reception usually
/ lasts for three hours. The receptions
extended to t1e diplomatic CORPS. the
Judiciary, the congress and the army
and navy are usually over in an hour
ard half. but these are always fol-
4 lowed by supper to the receiving party
SO that Mrs Roosevelt can count At
least two hours and a half to be de-
4 voted to the public on these occasions
There are three state banuuets. long.
solemn functions, which begin at
usually, conclude little short Of mid
night. A series of cabinet dinners is
another set of entertainments which
i the president and his wife. through
/ long usage, are compelled to attend.
Each member of the cabinet gives a
dinner in honor of his chief
There were eight members of the ex-
ecutive council during the winter and,
with the exception of the secretary of
war, whose family is in mourning all
gave a banquet to the Roosevelts. The
new member, George 3. Cortelyou. will
soon give his first official dinner
The president and Mrs. Roosevelt
/ have, in addition to the state functions
/ been fndefatigable entertainers of small
parties of friends. 1t mas been esti-
mated that over 200 guests have been
entertained at house parties since the
1 opening of the renovated White House
in Novemb Der. There have been about 20
guests al each; 20 luncheons, with 16
guests, and five breakfasts with ten
guests each.
Mrs Roosevelt has given six musi-
Gales already and there are cards out
for two others. Usually 300 persons are
asked to each of these entertainments.
+ She has also held five afternoon card
receptions, to each of which nearly
200 guests were invited.
In order to endure such a strain Mrs.
/ Roosevelt is compelled to use every
means which art and science can COM
/ mand. She takes as much care OF
1 herself as an athlete. She sleeps al
4 least seven hours during the "a. and
each day during the official season she
f has the services of masseuse. Indeed.
she relies principally on massage and
i bouiIIon to keep uD under the burden
Before every public or semi -ofiicial
IulCFI0n OF any NlInGISlOAlSs 1NOoSC7
velt drinks bowl Of strong. steaning
hot bullion, and Just as soon as her
duties are over she has another bow
served in the room where the entertain
f ment takes place She drinks but little
1 tea or coffee, and has no regard at al
for the strengthening qualities If alco-
holic beverag ges.
In spite of her muItitudinous duties
the mistress of the White House leads .
very nethodical life She is always II
F,e 3-o0u7 and usually aSleen bV mid
night and she rises in time to takS