Evening star., 1936-02-02
Bv Tva Eta Sullivan.
SsI ET'S have a party and give
it in the Capitol" A listener
,,o;el+ 11oyo hoard this hit

At III IAlC va R4tCAs - AAASSAA~A
might have heard this bit
~ OF conversation sometime
during the 70s or 80s when group
Vas discussing the raising Of money
for some Washington project.
II is difficult to believe that they
really did give parties in the austere
Capitol Building and that dancing and
levitv, extraneous to politics, were at
times found in the gayly decorated
rotunda and adjoining rooms. 1t IS
still more difficult to picture Washing
ton citizens going up the hill, climb
ing the long flight of steps and paying
an admittance fee to enter this sane
tuary Of law and order However,
many wires must have been pulled and
much influence used for the privilege,
since it is probably that only three
such functions we're ever given. But
such parties. as they we're! All fash
ionable society. the diplomatic corps,
the political contingents and even the
President of the Unled States and his
friends attended.
Besides the fashionably dressed,
there we're many who paid their en-
trance fee in order to get near view
of prominent people. Few must have
been turned away. because the object
/ of these parties was to raise money
4 for some cause in which Washington
had a particular interest.
The first of these parties was the
centennial tea party held on the
evenings Of December is and II. 1874
The idea of the centennial at Phila-
delphia IN 1876 had not been received
by the citizens of the country with
much enthusiasm. They felt that in
hundred years We had not pro-
gressed sufficiently to be "brazen' over
it. as one objector put it. Besides,
some felt that we still had English
traditions and Queen Victoria was
even brought into the discussion
Some thought she might think it in
sulting to England even after hun
dred years had passed. Many such
futile arguments were used against
having the exposition.
| Those in charge of the enterprise
had a difficult time in getting money
promised for the exhibits. Finally one
of the plans which went into effect
was the giving of centennial tea
parties all over the United States
They would not only bring in the
needed money. but would advertise the
exposition and whip up enthusiasm.
IN December. 1874, it was Washing
tons turn. After the hard-wor
permission to use the Capitol hac
been received, plans went on apace
The few congressman who had OBJ.
| jected so vociferously were no longer
interviewed by the papers and the
press gave unlimited space to further.
ing the plans.
At last it was the opening night
The rotunda was lavishly hung witt
flags and there was red, white anc
blue bunting in profusion. FamoW
historical pieces of various kinds
which had been lent for the occasion
we're on display. Over the entrance
to Statuary Hall was miniature ship
Dartmouth, which conmen1orated tint
event which gave the fete its name
Two young boys dressed as Mohawl
Indians stood ready to throw tea il
the harbor. A real band of Nava1o
were there with Gen. Ardy ane
there was much chatting between tl'
real Indians and the two young make
believes.
Ranged around the rotunda vert
13 tables. representing the origina
States. These we're presided over b.
distinguished women in the dress OF
hundred years before. They wore thei
hair powdered and many rougec
cheeks had black Irritation patches
to accent their rosiness. A Mrs. Huntel
presided at the Maryland table, where
she had on display many famous
Revolutionary relics which had come
down in her family. Other table!
Wed with hers with exhibits almos
as rare.
In the old Hall Of Representatives
the Marine Band was stationed. Theil
music sounded ghostly in such
setting. Each musician had on hi!
stand q wavering and Pickering candle
which cast strange shadows of tn,
statuary and of themselves upon TIT
walls. There was, as is usual. rostrun
for the most famous guests and tht
speakers. Secretary of the Nav,
George Maxwell Robson made pa
triotic address, which was followed BY
one equally resounding by Gen. Hawle!
of the Army.
THERE was one great d.ssapoint
ment. Kalakaua 1. David, KIM
of Hawaii, did not come. He was {
visitor in the city and had received
much attention both politically ant
socially and few knew that he has
declined an invitation. All during th'
early part Of the evening eyes wer'