The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-03-30

GHVfNH dlgnitarles who reside at M :
wv our seat of government Ill &
as Uncle Sans official Ill
guests. 1t is not only Easter Sunday
that Is an event in the calendar of MI
ofiicialdom. but likewise Easter Mon WI
day (Which Is a great day In Wash MY. {.
ington) and the whole Easter week N.Y.
However, this whole interval may In WN
effect. be considered as Easter W
From the standpoint of ofcialdon NJ
the first significance OF Easter is the III
religious one. For be 1t known mos, y
OF our oficials-that is. our national
ofcials-are very conscientious
church goers Whether they are off,
cias because they are church goers or vheth.
er they are church goers because they are
Federal officials may be mooted question
put the TACT remains that the average public
servant during his incumbency of office in
the city on the Potomac is faithful In attend
ance at divine worship. And even the excep-
lions who are "backsders" at other seasons
OF the year strain a point to be among those
present on the Joyous Easter morn.
The second significance of Easter in Official
dom Is as day OF family reunions. second
only to Christmas in the eagerness with which
It IS anticipated. The opportunity for such
reunions arises from the fact that large pro-
portion OF the children of our public men at
tend public or private schools elsewhere than
in Washington, even though their parents may
maintain a home at the capital Sometimes It
Is matter of sentiment that makes an official
desirous OF having his children educated in
his old home town, and in the case OF the
young men and young women there are the
college magnets-Vassar and Wellesley and
the rest for the girls, and Yale Harvard Cor
nell and others for the boys.
1t thus happens that there is a small army
of sons and daughters to come home to the
habtations OF offcialdom for the Easter vaca-
ton. and usually they bring with them as
many school chums al parents can arrange to
ri ITn.
proverbially one of the most fascinating places i
America and offers no end of opportunities 10
good times for young people During the Tai
administration the White House has taken espe
ctal cognizance OF this Easter home coming Gus
TOM for the junior Tafts have been among thos
exiles who have made the Easter pilgrimage
bringing with them school friends Accordingl
Mrs Taft has always made It point to arrang
a round of social festivities including an Easte
week dance for not only the house party" at tn
Presidential Mansion but the whole body of Eas
ter reunoners IN ofliciadom
third significance that attaches to Easter Il
Cficiadom Is its function the inaugural OF tn
spring social season. In the old days the sea
son In Washington meant from the first day o
January to the beginning of Lent. Then a
Uncle Sam became more of a world power an
his capital reflected his new Importance there wa
added each year the little season" which ex
tended from the convening OF Congress In Decem
Der until the New Year. Latterly there has beel
yet dnotheF NeVeOpment and we have the Sprn
season Tin many respects the most enjoyable o
ALL which opens Easter and extends unit!
warm weather sets In. During Lent. social activ
1ty Is virtually suspended. for even the hostesse
who are not so devout to have heed for tn
religious significance of the forty days wecom
the interval as rest period" Easter, therefore
finds the leaders of offclaldom restored in spri
and ready for new round of activity
But. has been said on Easter morning al
officiadom goes to church and for the going find
plenty of spectators inasmuch as Washington 4
always thronged with tourists at Easter, and sucl
Of them disappointed in the effort to gall
approaches to view the passing show. The larg
est throngs usually to be found in the neigh
oorhood OF the Unitarian church, OF which Presi
dent Taft is member, although in simple truth 1
must be admitted that President Taft is the onl.
attraction here. for not many other public men o
prominence happen to worship at the sam,
church the President. But It Is the Presden
that the Easter throng wants to see and the,
block the sidewalks about the church until afte
his big motor has whirled up to the curl
and the President has disappeared into th,
church. After the service there Is somewhat o
a repetition of the scene but the crowd Is not 81
large because 1t 10 etiquette for the President Il
be allowed to make his exit the rest Of tn.
congregation leave their seats and he Is we'll OF
his way to the White House ere most Of the peo
pie emerge from the church.
Many spectators who more interested II
observing how oficials as class observe Easte
than they are In the personality Of the Presiden