Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1921-10-27
N7z7ZE A22NE

AMI mean that in the ordinary inter-
kW w\ changes Of social amenities the
NyV W \ capital city is different from other
VM' 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
unQuestiona6ly 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 sfnguarity Of Washington in its
social life.
There are seven distinct social circles in the city
of Washington. Each circle has its distinct place
and each enjoys its own somewhat isolated ac-
tivities. And yet there are times when all the
circles become concentric and within the one cir
cumference the members Of all circles mingle.
Does this sound obscure? In truth 1t Is q very
simple matter. The seven social circles of Wash
ington 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-caled so
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 inducted into the particular circum-
ference. Then comes perhaps some greater event
and all are hidden and all CO.
Now why Is II that Washington Is as 1t Is social
ly? In the first place 1t is what 1t Is because In
this town. except for the residential set neither
birth nor money can count for anything. It Is the
office held or the attanments 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
ington man may be poorer than the turkey Of
Job and may have been born in a garret, but II
he has made good and the people have honored
him by election to high office he freely can enter
q certain White House which the country counts
as 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 so many foreigners Of high official and
personal position has made precedence a 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
ingtOn's way Of doing things socially. In Chicago
one man and one woman at reception can walk
ahead of another and another woman With
out mental discomfort to themselves and without
injury TO the feelings OF the trailing couple. In
Washington things are different because American
office holders or more strictly Speaking, their
wives, have imbibed the precedence draught from
the cups Of the foreigners. And so here the cab
met officer must walk ahead Of the senator. the
senator ahead Of the representative, and the rep
resentative ahead of Thomas Jones who holds no
office.
All this may seem snobbish to the last degree,
but In way the thing Is most eXceilently DEM
ocratic. The precedence given man in Washing
ton really is compliment to the people VINO
elected him to office or who elected the man who
appointed him to Office. Here is where the democ-
racy of Washington society comes In despite Its
precedence and some seeming fol-de-rols
Speaking of democracy in America, who is the
first lady of the land? She has been working
newspaper woman and an American housewife in
a small city
The administration circle proper comprises the
President and his wife and the cabinet officers and
their wives and families. Then ten cabinet ofcers
rank in the order in which the departments whlcn
they represent were formed The list runs thus:
state, treasury war; justice, pOstofice, navy, In
terror, agriculture, commerce and labor.
The social activities Of the cabinet part OF the
administration circle confined almost entirely
to small dinners given during the winter months
They begin with the secretary Of state and his
wife as hosts and continue at the rate Of one each
week until concluded at the home OF the secretary
of labor. Each affair Is given In honor Of the
President and his wife and few additional guests.
More often than not these guests are selected from
out of town.
These, with rare exceptions are the only func-
tiOps that the President attends outside of the