The sun., 1906-05-06
ETIQUETTE m WASHINGTON.
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An lHsita,ion ~ dine ~ ~. White Housr,
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ear. must ~ scc~p'sd Auv previsus
ensaEemenf NUS, ie sanrclied Al invi-
tatioua ~ tho White Hoise even th0as fos
evening wceptions ahuuld be anawernd.
one has 'tbe honor ~ ac,vpt them
Washington IL the Residence ~ tho Diplo-
mssio CORE and ~ ils members take part
in official functions these are IT Necessity
conducted In the diplomatic way, which
IL that NJ E,irop- w adapIing u N their
own uss Americans have shown their Good
senas We have saved ourselves ths
trouble ~ inventinR ~ nev method which
would hardly bave heen ~ good.
The calling question i- y oontpIicaled ID one.
Minor ofioials call ht-t on higher ones,
those longer In service ranking ahoys
those newly elected or appointed ~ tbs
wives must call ais, and ~ all the visits
must be returned, calling becomes one Of
the chief duties in life of the women whose
husbands take public oftioe here.
n one should send cards instead of going
in person one would he ap, to give offence.
A lady who attempted to clear oG soms
Of her social obligations in this way was
surprised by havina the bits Of pasteboard
all returned to her, II Ia not permitted ss
yet to leave cards without asking whether
the ladies are at home but this custom
will come as the town grows. II Is already
understood by diplomats and by many
persons who are familiar with social usages
in cities where a loss spartan code Of
etiquette prevails.
Congre ssmen leave cards on one another
at the Capitol, but thess mus. be left at the
private houses in order TO command social
intercourse
II is expected, and very properly. that
every one will call at the White House at the
beginning of the season, and before recev-
ing any invitation to attend any Of its funo-
tions Receptions are by no means nonop-
olized by official society. Az clever
lady, the wife of well known Senator,
said lately:
In Washington everybody who possesses
a front door and a pair OF white gloves
has day at home
The Congressional ladies' who live in the
same hotel often join forces and receive
together. A basket bearing the name OF
each lady is suspended by ribbon io the
ball and guests leave their cards therein.
There are many people at Washington,
strangers for the most part II is to be hoped,
who either do not understand the theory
underlying this system Of calling or take
advantage Of the general movement to 60
to houses where they have no right OF
entrance.
A few years ago this evil rea ached its
height. II has been somewhat ahated by
the wisdom Of the hostess in giving fewer
refreshments. The ladies Of the Cahinet
found IL necessary 20 abandon their hand,
some spreads AZ the chicken salad proved
a, formidable bait to the idle and unem'
ployed,'
Outside of official circles the older resi-
dents call first on newcomers and also on
such officials as they desire to know.
At the national capital the question OF
willing to grant the first place to the Preai-
dent, but who shall have the secondH
The question Is further complicated by
the claims Of the Ambassadors. As eaoh
Of these is supposed to represent the person person
directly after the Chief Exeeutive' This
is the opinion of the Diplomatic Corps.
The Supreme Court remembers that 1t
stands for the highest law in the land.
the court is one and indiyisible.. They give
the frat place TO the Cliief Justice, but
think the others should follow directly after
him.
Meantime to Americans it would seem
as II the Vice. President, should follow, the
President, especially as he is also the head
Of the Senate. The Speaker Of the House
as the presiding officer Of the popular
branch Of government is very properly
tenacious Of his rights which he feels 70 tSs be
Senats hold opposite views as to which is
the higher branch, and the question OF
precedence between them has never been
definitely settled.
it would not disturb the peaceful currents
Of social life; but 1t affects all private
entertainments at which any man connected
with social life, or his wife or daughters
are present, Who, shall go in firstt Who
These questions forever stare the Wash
ington hostess in the face.
In making out her list she must be very
careful not TO invite TO the same dinner
officials whose relative rank has never been
determined. It is IA d that an Ambassador
on being asked to an occasion where the Vice
President was also invited, wrote TO inquire
whether he should preoede the latter; other
wise no would be unable to come. 1t is not
etiquette 10 ask an Ambassador TO meet any
one, since he represents his sovereign.
People dodge these dreadful unsolved
problems Of etiquette by inviting their lions
separately. Certain individuals are espe-
cially tenacious of their rights, while others
are known to be more easy going. 'Oh,
So and So doesn't care where he Is placed"
Such a man is indeed a blessing to his hosts,
especially IL he Is single
Desirable men are engaged to dine out
the whole winter. They have been known
to receive twenty invitations for one evening.
Having sent her invitations ont by hand
three or four weeks in advance, the hostess
must plan the arrangement Of her guests
at the dinner table, sorting out carefully
those OF the largest size"
In Washington the guests remain standing
In the drawing room until dinner is an
nounoed-perhaps to avoid deciding who
may sit down first The procession TO the
dining room. is like a nursery NoaA's ark
arrangement, the elephants leading aud
the ladybuRs bringing up the rear.