The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-01-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Notwithstanding what appeared TO be
strained relations between the Executive
and legislative branches of the Govern
ment, the social situation is apparently
unruff1ed aud the receptions at the White
House we're never better attended or more
brilliant than they are in these closing
days OF President Roosevelt's admins
tratiou. There may be few here and
there conspicuous to themselves by their
absence, but in the great mass of black
coated men and directoire demi gowned
women it would be difficult to distinguish
any decrease in the popularity of these
White House brushes The Judicial re.
.ception was held Thursday evening. The
members of the Supreme Court of the
United States and their-families led the
imposing possession of justices, lawyers,
ambassadors, foreign ministers and favor
ed residents of the District which passed
through the Blue Room and paid their re-
spects to President Roosevelt and his wife,
and the ladies of the cabinet circle i
say paid their respects, which means that
they went usually two and two until they
Room, then they were required by the
attendant to separate into single file, then
passing hurriedly, each one grasped the
President by the hand as his name was
announced by Col. Bromwell. On these
occasions company of distinguished men
and women are especially invited to the
Blue Room during the reception. TIL re
they stand, and watch the others file by
very much as one looks on at civic or
military procession. To experts in dress
and connoisseurs in sartorial values and
critics of manner the station in the Blue
Room, although it is without seats, must
be as entertaining as the best productions
on the stage. The foreign ambassadors
and ministers wore their court costumes
with all the decorations to which they are
entitled. Our army and navy officers in
their new dress uniforms display con
siderable gold lace, but they are quite out
done by some South American and
Oriental countries which rank far below
the United States in wealth and power.
The British ambassador wore gold EN-.
broidered coat with splendid decorations
upon the front, while his wife wore
costume of pearl colored brocade. The
new Turkish ambassador was there with
his red fez, the only street head covering
which was observed. The Mohammedans
never on any occasion uncover their
heads.
Washington would be much less at
tractive 10 SO called statesmen if it were
not for this social side of life. Senators
and Members of the House perhaps care
but little for it, but their wives and
daughters, their sisters, cousins and
mother in law look upon it as the real
thing, and consider the country's affairs
and legislative work as OF secondary im.
portance. 1t is impossible that this view
shall not have its influence with the
senator or representative. 1t may not
consciously swerve him from his duties,
but it is impossible that man whose
nights are spent vita his family encourage
at brushes and dinners shall during the
day be able to give his best attention 10
national business or to the discharge Of
that work for which he was sent to Con
gress. Of course, there are many honor.
able exceptions.
Among the $500 invited guests present
who were received by the President, your
correspondent noticed Mr.. and Mrs.
Wayne Reynolds, of Rising SIM.
~
The President has sent another and
perhaps FINAL message to Congress &C
companying the report of the Conserva-
ton Commission. This message may not
have any great effect on Congress, for
this body is in no frame of mind to be
impressed with the recommendation of
President Roosevelt, but that it will have
its influence on the country and through
the country an influence on this or on
future Congresses, can be little doubted
It is very serious paper-the final SER
ious expression of very serious man on
the eve of his farewell to the country and
in fact TO the world in which he has been
for number of years the most con-
spicuous personality. Although the read
er will have an opportunity to peruse the
message in full, there are certain passages
which might well be committed by heart.