Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1912-04-05

guests. 1t is not only Easter Sunday lOS#$
that is an event in the calendar OF Wl
oficialdom, but likewise Easter Mon. NM n
day (Which Is a great day in Wash. NM III
ington) and the whole Easter week. W
However. this whole interval may, in W[SNs
effect, be considered as Easter. WNMM
From the standpoint of offcialdom NM
the first significance of Easter is the M
religious one. For be 1t known, mos y
OF our ofhcials-that is, our national
omcials-are very conscientious
church goers Whether they are Off
Gals because they are church goers or wheth-
er they are church goers because they are
Federal officials may be a mooted question
but the fact remains that the average public
servant during his ncumbency OF Office in
the city on the Potomac is faithful in attend
ance at divine worship And even the excep-
lions who are 'backsiders" at other seasons
OF the year strain 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
1t is anticipated. The opportunity for such
reunions arises from the fact that large pro-
portion of the children of public men at
tend public or private schools elsewhere than
| IN Washington. even though their parents may
maintain home at the capital. Sometimes it
is a matter of sentiment that makes an official
NSSASAS
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 small army
| of sons and daughters to come home to the
habitations of oficialdom for the easter vaca.
tion," and usually they bring with them as
many school chums as parents can arrange to
entertain, for Washington at Easter is
| proyerbally one of the most fascinating places
America and offers no end of opportunities fc
good times for young people During the Tai
administration the White House has taken esp
cial cognizance of this Easter homecoming cu
tcE:. for the junior Tafts have been among thos
exiles who have made the Easter pilgrimag
bringing with them school friends. Accordingl
Mrs Taft has always made 1t a point to arrang
a round Of social festivities including an East&
week dance for not only the "house party at th
Presidential Mansion. but the whole body of Ea
ter reunioners In oficiadom.
third significance that attaches to Easter
eficialdom is its function as the inaugural of tn
spring social season. In the old days "the sci
SON. in Washington meant from the first day
January to the beginning of Lent Then q
! Uncle Sam became more of a world power an
his capital reflected his new Importance there wa
added each year the little season which e.
tended from the converting of Congress In Decen
! yet another development and we have the sprin
season Tin many respects the most enjoyable
AID which opens on Easter and extends unit
warm weather sets In During Lent. social act
! ity is virtually suspended for even the hostesse
who are not so deyout to have heed for tn
| religious significance of the forty days WELDON
the interval rest period" Easter, therefor
finds the headers of officaldom restored in spr
and ready for new round of activity
But, has been said on Easter morning a
ofhcialdom goes to church and for the going fine
| plenty of spectators, inasmuch as Washington
/ always thronged with tourists at Easter. and sue
IF them disappointed In the effort to gal
! admission to the crowded churches throng tn
approaches to view the passing show The lar
est throngs are usually to be found in the neig
| borhood of the Unitarian church. of which Pres
4 dent Taft is member, although in simple truth
must be admitted that President Taft is the on
attraction here for not many other public men
prominence happen to worship at the san
| church as the President But it is the Presidel
that the Easter throng wants to see and the
block the sidewalks about the church until aftt
his big motor has whirled up to the cui
and the President has disappeared into Il
| church After the service there is somewhat
a repetition of the scene but the crowd is not {
large, because it is etiquette for the President
be allowed to maze his exit ere the rest of II
congregation leave their seats and he is we'll G
his way to the White House ere most of the pc
pie emerge from the church
Many spectators who are more interested
observing how officials a class observe East,
than they in the personality of the PresideI