The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-02-13
FORTUNES ON
THEIR BACKS
Washington Women Dress for the
Inaugural Ball.
QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE
NOTED WIDOWS AT THE MA
TIONAL CAPITAL.

Especial to The Herald)
Washington. Feb. I'm the midst
OF the rush of entertaining at the capt.
tai prominent women are finding time
10 discuss gowns for the inaugural ball.
once on a time within the memory of
the present generation official women
Thought anything good enough TO wear
10 these national brushes. The condi-
non OF the ball room, the absolute
lack of any semblance Of comfort in
lhe toilet rooms. or on the floor mad
II rank eXtravag ance to wear a fresh
or expensive dress. But all this has
changed The yelled sarcasm Of diplo-
mats and travellers about holding state
balls in the adapted building with
cheese cloth and greenery covering the
unsuitable environments unfortunate
J%, stil applies TO the preparation. But
the inaugural committee are braveIy
using the material in hand to make
MS brilliant an appearance as the possi-
PIlitteS of the pension building will
allow That the capital needs a great
state hall for such functions as the
inaugural ball is apparent TO the most
economic legislator such a hall as ex-
lists in connection with the home of
the president of France at the EIysee,
81 in every other large capital of the
" orld for that matter. 1t is designed
that such an apartment form a part
of the projected state building. and
tnat it be suita bly, furnished and kept
only for state occasions Portraits of
former presidents. their wives and the
statesmen, warriors, scholars and pa
criots of the nation viii cover the
walls.
Fine PIumage.
But even Ike pension bureau. the host
Il women in official life. and hundreds
of nOta bic people from all parts of the
country are determined that in the
matter of fine plumage and wealth
Of gems this inaugural ball will be
memorable in history Mrs. Roosevelt
VIII appear in the first seemingly ex-
travagant gown which she has worn
as mistress of the White House. 1t
viii be of American make. though the
lace and silk for the foundation are
10 come from Brussels and have been
carefully selected by Miss CarOw, her
sister. who has been spending the win
ter abroad, but who will be here for
the Inauguration. The color and gen
eral design of Mrs. ROosevelt's gown
are kept a profound secret. but small
hints are whispered that the cost of the
Eown viii approach $1,000. Mrs. Fair
banks is also to appear in a regal
gown. being designed in New York,
and all the cabinet women are order
ing as handsome toilets as their re-
sources will permit.
Question of Precedence.
The women of the diplomatic corps
are holding off until they know Just
where they are TO appear in the process
sion. The grand march will approach
in dignity and brillianCy all that should
b expected on such occasions. and will.
of course. be led by the president and
his Wife, with Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks
Second in line. Then comes the Rus
sian ambassador. dean of the corps,
and the piquant Countess Marguerite.
~r.HH-
the chief Justice. the president pro
1empOTe of the senate, and the speak
eT of the house
1t has again besn suggested that the
five heads of the three coordinate
branches of this government form a
distinct class This would make the
proc sSiOn consist. first, of the presi-
dent and vice president and their
wives. then the chief justice and his
daughter, Miss Fannie Fuller the head
OF the judiciary, the president pro
tempore of the senate Senator William
p Frye and his granddaughter. Miss
White, who is his chatelaine, and then
the speaker of the house and Miss
Cannon. typifying the legislative
branches of the great triumvirate. But
the ambassadors viii not listen to any
such argument. They mGsc come after
the vice president or they viii simply
witness the grand pageant as guests
from the gallery This latter course
probably Will, after all. be the most
satisfactory. The inaugural ball is
. 8tiOnaI and not an fnterna tional az
fair. and the diplomatic corps comes
fnerely as guests and not in an official
capacity
Washington Widows.
The fascination which official life
possesses for those who have once
Lasl1ed in the light, is presented i'm
strong colOrs by the increasing colony
of the widows of famous IN n. Just
low there are no less than nine wo-
men who have occupied the lOftiest
places in social and official life. They
are Mrs. Garrett A. Hobart. wife of
vice president. Mrs. Henry c. Payne
wife of 4 cabinet minister. Mrs Mark
Hanna. Mrs John ~ Logan Mrs.
"Phil' Sheridan. Mrs. James Mcmillan
widow of the highly respected senator
from Michigan. and Mrs. r De witt
Galmage. the surviving widow of the
eminent divine. Mrs Talmage is the
only member of this body of women
who is young enough TO be considered
= matrimonial possibility. In addition
tC being an exceedingly handsome and
well groomed woman. she has a fine for
tune and a magnificently equipped
home i'm the heart of the fashionable
section She purchased her house.
which is almost opposite the G rman
embassy. from the heirs of DR. Tai
images estate Immediately after the
probation of the viii. She paid a
good round sum for the house and fur
niture. But Mrs. Talmage was devoted
10 the famous preacher, albeit she was
the third wife. Everything connected
with him and his work and his Wash
ington mission is sacred to her and
she keeps up the hOma exactly as dur
ing his life time. This winter she has
thrown off the widows weeds entirely
and is wearing the finest toll 1t seen
here in years.
Made Strong Argument.
One OF the strongest arguments made
IN the senate In favor OF single state
hood for the four western territories
clamoring for admission into the sis