Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-01-25
Washington
Society As It
Is Now Ruled

w ASttlNh ON, ~ - Jun, IL
Capital society is now in full swing
with dinners. dances, receptions,
uncheons, teas, and theater parties
galore every day and every night.
There are two kinds OF society here
real society and official society. II
you are a member of the first II
means you are in society whether
you have an official position or not,
unless you happen to be a member of
the Presidents family, or are on the
Supreme Bench of the United States,
or are a member of the Cabinet, or
are a member of the Diplomatic
Corps. II you are any Of these you
are a member of real society here
and, for that matter, a member of
real society anywhere.
II you are a member OF official So
ciety only, 1t means that your posi-
ton and not yourself Is a member of
society in Washington. This does
not entitle you to expect any social
consideration in any other city. "
you are not In real society, but are a
Senator, you will nevertheless be
given great social recognition here
on account of the position you fill.
You will hardly know the difference
in Washington. But II you go to
other large cities you will have 1t
made plain to you and your eyes will
be widely opened.
Members of the Supreme Court are
always looked upon here and every
where else as members OF society. So
are members of the Cabinet, and, OF
course, members of the diplomatic
circles. 1t is generally assumed that
II you are good enough to have been
given diplomatic appointment you
possess good claims to social recognl-
ton. Society doesn't go behind the
diplomatic returns.
A Pitfall for the Unwary
These are the features that make
society in Washington such pitfall
| for the unwary. Its complex forma-
tion renders necessary complex ETH
quette. Many OF the social entertain
ments are cosmopolitan In the eX-
IRENE, and II is no unusual sight to
see men and women guests whom
you would never have thought to
find in drawing-rooms rubbing ell
lows with the great and the near
great.
Some members of Congress and
their families from rural districts
whose chief social diversions in the
past were social bees" and husking
parties, are apt to be at loss for
small talk" at large social affairs
and formal state dinners, where they
meet distinguished Americans and
foreigners. They are there only be-
cause of their official position.
How She Cut the Knot
At one large State dinner given n
year ago the hostess was In doubt as
to the order in which her guests
should go out to dinner and, as mem
hers of the Diplomatic Corps, JUS
tlces of the Supreme Court and Sen.
ators were present, very pretty
wrangle followed. Suddenly the
pretty wife OF naval officer turned
to the Chief Justice and said:
Let us go out together and leave
them to settle the fine points Of this
question"
And smilingly she took his arm
and walked on, leaving her hostess
} and the other guests stupefled with
amazement at her lawless cutting o
the gordian knot
Some years before this country be
came a world-power the diplomat
residing In Washington at that tim,
complained bitterly OF the rudenes
they said they met with at recep
tions and other entertainments.
What kind Of country is Amer
icaT' asked young diplomat, VIII
had just arrived in Washington o
one of the foreign ministers who ha'
often criticised the lack of manner
in Washington society.
ut Is a country where everyon
, who chooses can tread upon you
, toes; but, then, they give you tn
same privilege, only you are too wei
bred to avail yourself Of it," was tn
n answer.
r Precedence All Important
The question OF precedence is a
all-important one. An error may OF
fend not only the representative @
d Il foreign government, but that Who'll
q Government and nation, and embro
c us in a diplomatic war, II nothin
worse.
At first sight it seems absurd t
g think of great literary genius liIi
l. Ambassador Bryce, of Great Britain
It struggling for precedence over sue
Il typical American product as tn
Speaker of the House, and yet sue
B. things have been for generations
II they are now and they will be fc
years to come.
The etiquette of official rank 1
= Washington is a thing which cannC
y. | L.. o..