The Washington herald., 1909-01-21


administrations. whose presence here has
been the occasion for more entertaining
and has helped 10 make the last season
Of the Roosevelt administration a most
brilliant one Every year brings to the
seat of government, which is essentially
a city for elegant living. more and more
representatives OF that fast growing class
Of wealthy people Of leisure whose main
object IN life IS 10 be amused and enter
tanned. Thus Washington is becoming
the greatest social center on the cont
nent
A recent visitor to Washington was
Dorothy Whitney, daughter Of The late
William c. Whitney, who, TO be sure.
never played a social role here. since
she was born in the latter days Of her
fathers service in Clevelands Cabinet,
and carried OF 20 his New York home
before she could talk. but who. never
theless. is an object OF interest II is
not exactly correct 70 say that she never
played a social role. because she was
the heroine Of one fashionable function
that viii long be remembered 'by. every one
who assisted in #. This was her christ
ening at ST Johns Church, which took
( place at Easter in 1850 there you have
Z Dorothy's age definitely. This was one
( OF the most notable affairs Of the spring
season that year The quaint church
was literally lined with flowers Every
smart person in Washington was in
vited. Every one wore their ga-a COS
tune, their Easter bonnets- The baby
robe was q mass OF exquisite lace. and
( she behaved herself admirably as she
went up the aisle with her little coterie Of
/ Sponsors. nurse. and parents After the
/ christening there was a reception at her
I fathers house. which was in I street.
/ IL the spacious home that MI Freling-
/ huysen occupied when he was Secretary
7 OF state, and which vas later the home
I of Mr.. Wanamaker, the Postmaster Gen
eraI IN Harris0n's Cabinet The interior
Of this interesting old mansion has never
/ been so beautiful as IN Mrs. Whitney 5
/ time, and On this day il was draped with
flowers. Everybody who was anybody
was present, and the collation. was as
( generous as those that always marked
the Whitney entertainments AS the
/ guests left the house each one Of them
T vas presented with an Easter egg made
I OF moire silk. hand painted, with the
3 name and date Of the child and filed
/ with dragees. The little boxes were IN
/ perfect taste and exquisitely made. and
are still treasured by those who were
/ fortunate enough 10 receive them
( DOTOthy's christening made such an
I impression on those who attended Il
Z that they have followed her career with
. interest. and It has been pleasant TO he1
{ mothers friends 70 watch her develop
ment into the beautiful and gracious
woman that she has become. There
( never was a more acceptable hostess II
. Washington than the wife Of Cleveland
Secretary q the Navy not only because
she was well grounded in social matters
but because Of her great hospitality. heI
kindly, generous spirit. Her public acts
every one knows. but few know the story
OF her private life. her many charities
and her great goodness.
TWO other women who were prominent
figures IN HarTison's administration have
( passed the winter here with their debu-
tants daughters. Mrs Mckee and Mrs
( Harrison. the wife OF Col Russell Har-
ris0n, President Harrison's only son
Mrs. z-ic-zse was for a time during hel
I mothers Illness and after her death tht
+ chief woman at the White House, a posi-
ton she occupied acceptably. for he,
+ Icng residence al Washington while hel
u father vas IN the Senate had educated
her for the post Then. too. she was n.
mother OF Baby Mckee" that famous
baby who furnished so much copy 20
I the newspapers while his gTandfathe
was Chief Executive. Mrs Russell Har
ris0n was Miss Saunders. whose fathe
was Senator from Nebraska, and who q
the time Of her marriage was q beautifu
and winning blond. Her daughter is 10
i unlike her. and al the balls given 70
/ Miss Roosevelt has been naturally = con
spicuous figure.
Two other yong women who have bee
psominent socially this winter. who's
3! parents are pleasantly remembered here
are the daughters of the late DaEie
4 Lamont first Clevela1d's secretary an,
then a member Of his Cabinet. Mr.. La
mont was one cf the most forceful mel
who have ever been in the immediau
] entourage Of a President Charles H
I Dueli, former Commissioner OF Patents
and now al the head OF a large patent fin
IN New York and a factor in New Yori
politics, recalls him 70 a certain degree
Il IN appearance and figure he suggest
Il ClevelanG's Fidus Achates. and he Ia
the same Intellectual grasp OF things. IN
81 same reserved force. As secretary 10 Ii
4 President, Mr.. Lamont did not make
single mistake, which is remarkable il
the most diplomatic Office in the govern
ment When the rejection OF the famou
Mrs. Norris occurred at the White Hous
d couple Of years ago. there was an ech,
went UP from every side, If Lamont ha
only been there" Every day he ha
cranks 70 deal with, and there was neve
a scandal marred the success Of his ser
vice at the Executive Mansion. although
b he would occasionally tell his friend
amusing experiences Of some OF these en-
counters
On one occasion a woman very mucl
; after the Morris type entered his offic
! and asked for the President,
He is engaged at the present. I regre
10 say. Win you come some other time .
replied the secretary.
NO. sir" replied the woman who i'm
mediately showed signs Of hysteria, ''
an going 70 see him to-day. and ar
goin to stay here until do see him.
In that case, madame" replied IN
secretary, pray be seated. he viii doubt
less be at leisure shortly
Somewhat pacifed the woman seate
= herself. and Secretary Lamont continue
working at his desk His visitO
remained quiet for an hour or so. whel
she again demanded to see the President
Very politely Mr.. Lamont stood up an
said, I viii see If he is disengage5
madame" Presently returning. he an
/ nounced, 'I an sorry, but the Presiden
, has gone out driving
When VIII ne be back?" demanded ii
woman