The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-11-19
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VI that In the ordinary inter-
~ ~ changes of social amenities the
Mv \ capital city is different from other
NA cities of the land but in the struc-
! tural aspect and in the method and
manner Of the doings Of its society
or rather societies. Washington is
unquestionably city apart
The fact that this city is the capital Of great
country and that here the chief officials Of that
country dwell. coupled with the farther fact Of
the presence Of large foreign official element
accounts for the singularity of Washington in its
social life
There are seven distinct social circles in the city
Of Washington kEach circle has its distinct place
and each enjoys its own somewhat Isolated ac-
tiyities- And yet there are times when all the
circles become concentric and within the one cir
conference the members of all circles mingle.
Does this sound obscure? In truth it is a very
simple matter. The seven social circles Of Wash
ingt0n those Of the administration of congress-
OF the diplomats, of the army and navy, OF the
judiciary, of the scientists and of the Old resi-
dents So 1t is that all through the so-called
cial season Washington witnesses all kinds. of
doings which are separate one from another and
which are attended only by those whe were born
or have been indicted into the particular circum-
ference Then comes perhaps some greater event
and all are hidden and all CO.
Now why is 1t that Washington is as it Is social
lyl In the first place ii Is what 1t is because in
this town, except for the residential set neither
birth nor money can count for anything. 1t is the
Office held or the attachments reached, as in the
case of the scientists, which determines the po-
sition of the man and his family in Washington
society This is America and the office and not
the man must be accepted and honored. In Wash
tngton a man may be poorer than the turkey OF
Job and may have been born in garnet, but II
he has made good and the people have honored
him by election to high Office he freely can enter
oxxyfie tho frv-a
rs better than any Newport or Southampton man
sion.
1t has been intimated that Washington society
Is systematized- So it is. 1t has to be. The
presence Of many foreigners Of high official and
personal position has made precedence prime
matter in the capital city. Foreigners are great
sticklers for what may be called the right OF way.
The ambassador of longest service must precede
the ambassador Of shorter service and his wife
must precede the other ambassadors wife. or
there will be dire trouble.
This precedence has forced system into Wash.
ingtons way Of doing things socially. In Chicago
one man and one woman at a reception can Walk
ahead Of smother man and another woman WITH
out mental discomfort to themselves and without
iniurv TO the feelings Of the trailing couple. In
washington things are different because American
ONCE holders, or more strictly speaking, their
wives have imbibed the precedence draugnt from
the cups Of the foreigners. And SO here the cab
met officer must walk ahead OF the SENATOR tne
senator ahead Of the representative and the rep
resentatise ahead Of Thomas Jones who holds no
ONCE.
All this may sem snobbish to the last degree,
INT In = wy the thing is most excellentiy dem
ocratic. The precedence given a man In Washing
fon really Is compliment to the people who
elerted him to Office or who elected the man who
enrointed him to Office. Here Is where the dem0c-
rscv IL washington society comes In despite It's
nrecedence and some seeming fol-de-rolss
speaking Of democracy in America who u the
ART lady OF the landf She has been working
newspaper woman and an American housewife IN
! small city.
The administration circle proper comprises the
pv.eidenf and his wife and the cabinet officers and
feir wives and families. Then ten cabinet ofncers
r.nk II the order In which the Departments winch
sn.v reureaeDt were formed. The list runs thus !:
~,.tp freAsufy war. justice postomce' navy. m
tpvsor agriculture commerce ana iaDof
Tbe social activities of the cabinet part o. tne
!. .sn,etrat,on circle are confined almost entirely
- small dinners given during the winter mon'ns
80 herin with the secretary a sta.e ana ms
f1s a hosts and continue at the rate OF one eacn
Il nntr, concluded at the home OF the secretary
| @s-. Each AFFAIR is given In honor OF the
- AM, his wife and few additional guests.
Z than not these guests are selected from
- rare exceptions, are the only func-
Il M President attends outside q 'he