The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-06
asHIaeT0a DURING HOLIDAYS.

Social Features of the Capital
and Other Matters Of Current
Comment.
Washington, yJan. 9. .-The size of the
crowd at the White House on New
Years day is not always, or often, an
indication of the popularity OF the
President. Certain officials, indeed
all, are required to attend and pay
sheir respects to the executive head of
the nation. Wind or rain cannot keep
them away. Given fair and spring
like day, such as this New Years
proved TO be, much to the dismay OF
the weather bureau which blundered
as usual and predicted the night be-
fore, rain or snow," and, all the
strangers in Washington who have
never attended an official reception
viii flow to thes Executive Mansion by
tha thousand. This is what actually
did happen, and the poor public stood
for hours waiting for chance to
shake hands. Many comments were
made about the excessive amount OF
money consumed in adding two bunga-
soW-like wings to the White House and
the noor result iss.seen by the casual
observer. Afser al, the ceremony at
she WhitsHouse ON New Years isgbus
parfrnctery athing to do and getcver
WITH. But it is tho only chance under
she rev arrangements the common
people have OF seeing the President or
the inside of his residence. Those
who have she wherewsthalb and are
ii society In Washington, manage to
have a gocd time. If eating dinners,
dsessing co kill, displaying uniforms.
dancing, and attending teas can be
called good. -.
Those Of the public who attend the
seception were rushed through the
rooms between a: file Of police, private
detectives, clerks, and other officers
Who kept saying; Walk faster; hurry
ms donst be so slow there 80 They
were even hustled oas OF the East Room
and down the stair case leading to
Sf,e hat and coat rooms as If they
enid not be trusted to remain five
minutes 90 look abo1t.
But In these days OF prosperity peo-
ple have no right TO sbe poor and be-
a0ng TO the rabble, even il they are
tax payers. Mrs. Roosevelt assisted
her husband in receiving and was very
richly dressed in white satin. She no
longer THINKS woman in society can
dress on $500 year. The dress she
wore must have cost as much as that.
The social season opens In Washing
ION after the President gives the
signal, and from now on there will be
round Of official dinners confined to
cabinet. court, army and navy circles
These are all private affairs, and do
not interest the public. The cabinet
snsertains che President and he re-
turns the compliment. Mr.. Root,
Secretary Of War, will give his last
SIianer TO Gov. Taft, when that gentle
man arrives from the Philippines to
ssume the war portfolio. The Secre-
ssry of State has given a dinner to
the Ambassadors but as his throat
refuses TO yield to treatment, he could
NOS swallow a morsel, and Mrs. Hay
presided.
There is "a darker side Of life in
Washington, as Mr. Jacob Riis,
friend of the President, has recently
pointed ont. IL no other city has
suns to equal those of the, nations,
capital, no ether can boast of a greater
number of sumptious entertainments.
Mrs. Mclean has given a. dinner
dance to 100 young FOLKS, with an
extra 100 for the cotillion, in honor Of
roupse Of young ladies, her guests.
THE Barberini Palace Of Rome was
despoiied of its tapestries with which
30 kneaths ball-room. Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas F. Walsh, who have recently
occupied their new marble palace on
Massachusetts, avenue, the most costly
house in the city, have had Miss
Alice Roosevelt as guest Of honor.
Dancing began at 10 p. m, in the
large ballroom on the top floor, sup
Per served on small tables followed at
midnight, with a cotillion until the
aaTay hours. The favors cost small
fortune.
But there are those, even In Wash
jDgton, who do not forget the demo
cratic poor. The president of the city
railway companies. at his own expense
bntestained 3ast before New Years. at
the Masonic Temple, thousand little
shitdren, whose fathers are employed
IN the railways. ae delighted them
with presents Of toys, fruits and can
dies. and gave besides program of
tricks, songs and marionettes. At the
AT. Vernon Place Church the ladies
cent ont thousand invitatins to their
southern friends, and held "a pure
democratic seunion Of representatives
OF all the southern states. Booths were
erected and ornamented for each state,
aud delightful evening was passed
by these present.
admiral Dewey vas at home to his
gentlemen friends on New Years day,
and besides Mrs. Dewey, had no less
than thirty young ladies, daughters of
naval officers to assist him in the un-
dertaking. Of course he won bril-
liant victory and sent the enemy's
ships to the punch bowl and wine
room. Mr.. Justice Oliver Wendell
Holmes, who believes in expansion,
bat not in equal rights for the Fill
penos, has had housewarming The
Rr;4;sh Ambassador has been doing