The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-03
WASHINGTON SOCIAL GUIDES.


Washington Letter in New York Sun.
+ When man is elected to Congress he
has fought only half the battle On enter
ing Washington he is confronted by two
problems-how to make his influence felt
In the political arena and how to be sue
cessful socially.
For the first he must depend upon him.
self. On the other hand his social cereer
is largely at the mercy of his wife. Through
her plumbers or lack of tact he may lose
that personal, social influence which, in
Washington, in every capital, is invalu-
able. Here is where the social coach is Of
use.
The social history of Washington shows
that from Presidents down to members
of the lower house the majority of men
have been self-made, or, at least, have
risen from humble station in life. In nine
cases out of ten, with their foot on the
lowest rung of the political ladder, they
have met and married. Political success
for the husband means new social duties
for the wife.
Without much difficulty she assumes her
position in the small city where her hus-
band holds an office of some Importance.
Small wonder that her husbands progress
sion to the national capital fills her with
only pleasurable anticipations Envied by
her women friends and showered with
kindly, if useless, advice, she lends herself
to the most fashionable modiste in town
and to happy visions of new social worlds
to conquer
They invade Washington. They enter
tain, which is necessary. They are enter
tanned, which is customary.
To do honor to the first occasion she
dons her most elaborate frock and takes
one last complacent glance in her cheval
glass. Then comes the awakening.
Passing that line of receiving women,
irreproachably gowned and groomed, she
reads plying amusement behind the few
words of perfunctory greeting and the
fleeing smile 1t must be her gown, she
reasons, and, having paid her respects
she slips into corner and studies the
frocks and bearing of these women, who
know Washington ways. :.
She cannot define the difference, but II
exists. Moreover, she finds her usual vol
utility checked by an indescribable shy
ness. In word, she realizes that she
has stepped into new world filled with
social pitfalls and snares. She goes back
to her hotel dismayed, and she lies awake
If she is daring and self-reliant she recalls
something well-known foreigner has
written about the adaptability of the
American women, and vows that she will
stand or fall on this quality. If she is eau
tious she appeals to a coach.
The coach is woman rich in knowledge
well bred, well groomed and well gowned
| Perhaps there have been financial reverses
in her family. Perhaps she is ambitious
| and independent.
However this may be. she must be of the
socially elect, and consequently to be ap
preached with due diplomacy. There must
be nothing said about the fee, no agree
ment, no conversation about terms. But
| some day there arrives in the coach's mai
| check from her pupil
| The coach, having assumed the response
| bility of the woman's. social future. goe:
| about her work I'm the most systematic
| fashion. For awhile she is almost con
stantly at her patrons elbow.
The first lesson is, Who is who and how
shall you greet them The right of pre-
cedence, how TO avoid the incongruous Is
suing of invitations-that is. inviting oppos
| ing factions to the same function-and G
nice discrimination in greeting are taught
For instance. hostess may personally
| like individual temporarily under th'
ban of Washington society, but received b!
right of official precedence. For suci
meetings she must cultivate what is known
as a frigid graciousness.
The coach overhauls her patrons ward
robe Good frocks well made, is tn
motto-frocks that absolutely suit thu
personality Of their owner. If small tow
| fashions war with this personality, thel
| everything is cast aside.
The coachs pupil places herself unre
| servedly in the hands of an artist selected
4 by the coach, and, if quiet elegance suit
her style. she must attain 1t. even though
| her heart yearns for the flesh pots of Egyp
| in the form of red and burnt orange.
| If her patron is particularly obtuse tn
coach handles her correspondence. though
| 1t has become essential for a woman reall,
! in the Washington swim TO have her privat
secretary Under the coach's tutelage sh
| also cultivates her memory for faces an,
| names, she acquires a graciousness witt
modification of voice and manner, and
| in fact. goes through a course OF socia
| grooming which can be compared only L
| that OF the young girl sent 10 a fashionabl
| school for her finishing
When the new candidate for social favor
| masses successfully the criticism of thos
| who have gone before her on the thorn
| path and enjoy watching the trials O
| those who follow, the coach breathes
sigh OF relief and feels that she has gath
! cred laurels In her unique profession.
The most notable coach in Washington
is now private secretary OF the wife of
high officer of the government. She previ