The Red Cloud chief., 1912-03-28

guests 1t is not only Easter Sunday s
that is an event in the calendar OF MI II e
officialdOm but likewise Easter Mon NM Z i
day (Which Is great day in Wash M ~.
ington) and the whole Easter week. NM
However, this whole interval may, In Ws.MaS:@
effect be considered as Easter. WV#xl
From the standpoint of oflcaldom WN
the first significance of Easter is the nv
religious one. For, be il known, mos: "
Of our ofiicias-that is our national
omcials-are very conscientious
church goers. Whether they are Off.
cials 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 incumbency OF Office in
the city on the Potomac is faithful In attend
ance at divine worship. And even the excep-
tions who are 'backsliders" 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 n 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 a large pro-
portion Of the children of our public men ut.
tend public or private schools elsewhere than
In Washington. even though their parents may
maintain home at the capital. Sometimes 1t
10 a matter of sentiment that makes an official
desirous Of having his children educated in
his old horne 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
habitations OF ofIiciadom 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
prOverbially one Of the most fascinating places 1
America and offers no end of opportunities 70
good times for young people. During the Tai
administration the White House has taken esps
cial cognizance Of this Easter home coming Gu.
tom, for the junior Tafts have been among thos
exiles who have made the Easter pigrimag,
bringing with them school friends. Accordingl
Mrs Taft has always made 1t point to arrang
round OF social festivities. including an Easte
week dance for not only the "house party" at tn
Presidential Mansion. but the whole body of Ea
ter reunioners In officiadom.
third significance that attaches to Easter
oflcialdom Ia 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 convenng of Congress in Decen
ber until the New Year Latter!y there has bee
yet another development and we have the sprn
season Gin many respects the most enjoyable
alD which opens on Easter and extends unit
warm weather sets In. During Lent, social acti
ity ia virtually suspended, for even the hostess'
who are not so devout as to have heed Tor II
religious significance of the forty days wecon
the interval as rest period" Easter. therefor
finds the leaders OF oficialdom restored In spir
and ready for a new round of activity.
But, as has been said, on Easter mprning q
oficialdom gees to church and for the going fine
plenty OF spectators inasmuch Washington
always thronged with tourists at Easter and SUI
Of them as are disappointed In the effort to ga
admission to the crowded churches throng Il
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
dent Taft is a 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 1t is the Preside
that the Easter throng wants to see and th'
block the sidewalks about the church until aft
his big motor car has whired up to the GU
and the President has disappeared into Il
church After the service there is somewhat
repetition OF the scene, but the crowd Is not
large, because It Is etiquette for the President
be allowed to make his exit ere the rest OF &
congregation leave their seats and he Is we'll
his way to the White House ere most Of the pc
pie emerge from tho church
Many spectators who are more interested
observing how officials as a class observe East
than they are In the personality of the Preside