Society in Washington. Its noted men, accomplished women, established customs, and notable events

Contents

CllAl'TER I.

ruKfis.

Tlic National Capital and its Social Life, 1-2

Chapter II. The President, 3-9

An Elective Sovereign by Divine Right of the People — His Pre-eminence among Hnlers — Powers, Prerogatives and Titles — Grover Clevelanii the Man of Destiny— The Official Household of the President — Private Secretary Lamont— Mr. Priidcn— Col. Wilson— Lieut. Duval.

Chapter III. The Wife of the President, 10-18

The First I..ady of the Land — Her Social Prerogatives and Pre-eminence — The Wedding at tiie White House — Mrs. Cleveland — Her 'i'riumphs as Presiding Ladj' — Ceremonial and Social Atlairs — Domestic Life at the Executive Mansion — White House Guests — Miss Cleveland — Mrs. Hoyt — .Mrs. Folsom— Oak View — Mrs. Lamont.

Chapter IV. Founding a Social Republic '9-25

.\n.\ii'ty of presi<lent Washington to Properly Inaugurate the Official anil Social .Autononiyof thctiovcrnment — The People I'nai-customed to the Conventionalities of Ceremonial Intercourse — The First President Propounds Certain Queries on Propriety and Etiquette — John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison Invited to Respond — Their Views — The Adoption of a System of Official and Social f;tii|uelte— Presiilent Jefferson Formulates a Communistic Code of Manners— Return to the Old System— Wa.shington Ollicial and Social Usages the Growth of a Century.

Chapter V. American Precedency and 'i'itles, 26-35

AScah- of Prei-edcnce Necessary to the Harmony of Oftirjid .tlKl Social Intercourse— The Theory of Precedency— Rank I'V .\ulhority of the Constitution — Slalutory Rank Siihordinate — Common Law o( I'nicdenc(! among .Men ami Women— Some of the Recent Controver>ics at WashiuL'loti <in (^ue-stions of Precedence- CoTi-^tilutional Titles— 'I'he Contest in the Fir-t Congress over llii- Title of till' President Settles all tlie Rest— Titles of ( »tficial Rank— Titles l.y U.sage for Women in Official Society— Their I'sc Optional.

IV SOCIKTV IN \VASII1N(;TC)N.

CHAITKR VI.

The Cabinet, 35-47

Tlie Ailministi-Htion— Till- Oi-flor nf Prccodciii'V of the f'ulpitK't in the Ortieial Scsilc— Tlif I'iciiiiii— SccR-tiiiv llMVaid — 'I'he Bayard Kaiiiily — His Koreijin IVilii-y — Tlic New Sci-rctaVy "f the 'I'lcasury— Mr. Kairr'hild — Mrs. Kairi'liild — E.x -Secretary and Mrs. Manning;— .Secretary and Mrs. Kndicdtt— Attorney (i nil (iarland— I'ostniaster (ieii-

eral and Mrs. Vilas— Sei'retary and Mrs. Whitney —Secretary ami Mrs. Lamar.

Chai'ter VII.

The Diplomatic Corp.s, 4S-56

The |)iplotnatie ('ir(de— Its Personnel— Rules of Precedence, Cere- . inony and Etiquette- The Dean of the Corps— The Ceremonial Fnnetions E.xercised by Courtesy liy the Dean — Mnie. and M'll«> Preston — Viscount and Viscountess d'e Nogueiras — Baron de Fava— Mr. Melsbroei'k — Count and ('ountess d'Arschot— Sir Lionel West — The Misses West — Mr. and Mrs. Edwardes— Senorand Senora Romero — .Mr. and Madame de Striive— Baron and Baroness Rosen— Mr. Greger — Mr. Roustan— Count .Sala.

Chapter VIII.

The Diplomatic Corps — Continued, 57-67

Colonel Frey- Mr., Mrs. and Miss Carter — Mr. De Weckherlin- Senor Flores— Mr. \'on Alvenslehen, Baron Zedtwitz and Mr. .lenisch— Senor Beeerra — Mr. ami Mrs. Kuki and Secretary Akabane — Senor Penilta — Mr. and Mrs. de Reuterskiold — Senor (^uesada^Baron and Baroness D'ltajuba — Senor Muruaga — Chang Yen Hoon and liis Oriental .suite — Doctor Corral — Don Domingo and .Senora de (iana — Mavroyeni liey — Chevalier Von Tavera— Senor OUivarria- Mr. de Lovenorn— The Representatives of Sal vador, Uruguay and G iiatemala.

Chapter IX.

Diplomacy and Etiquette, 68-75

The Rule of Intercourse established — Early Ministers — Jeffer.son's Lack of Manners — Proposed Legislation to Punish the Abuse of Diplomatic Privileges — A Social Incident — President Monroe Fixes the Social Relations of Foreign Ministers at the Executive Mansion— A Revolt in the Cabinet — The President's Daughter Retaliates for an Assumed Slight — Relations Better I'nderstood— The Place of the Department^of .State — Present Rules of Ceremonial and Social Intercourse—Necessity of an Officer of Ceremonies — Secretary Evarts' Plan for Diplomatic and Official Entertainments.

Chapter X.

The Vice-President, 76-78

The Heir Presumptive to the Presidency— The Senate Asserts the IMgnityofthoO nice —Second in the Scale of Precedence— The Title— The Late \'ice-I'resident — Claims to Social Pre-eminence of the Wife of the Vice-President Ignored — A Social Anomaly.

Chapter XI.

The President of the Senate Pro Tempore, 79-8i

His Place in tli<> Scale of Dignities— Taken out of the Line of Presidential Su<ccssion — .lohn .lames Ingall.s — His Participation in the Anti-Slavery struggles in Kansas— His career Leading to the U. S. Senate — As a Senator — Unique in Appearance and Genius — In Society—Mrs. Ingallb.

CONTENTS. V

ClIAI'TKR \1I.

Senatorial Precedence, 82-86

ClIAI'TKR XIII.

the Senior Senators and Tlieir Ladies, -^7-94

A Senatorial Leader of the I,eft— Mrs. Slieniian -The " I'atriareli of (•on'.;ress- — Mrs. >Iorrill — Miss Swan— " Tlie Kalher of th.' Senate" — Mrs. .md Miss Kihniinds— 'I'lie Senior Senator of thi' Kit;ht— Senator and .Mrs. Kansoiii —Senator .Mlisoii — Mrs. F,.\-S<iiator (iritnes — TIk' "SilverSenalor"— Mrs. .(oni"s— Senator and Mrs. Uawes— Miss Dawes — Senatorand .Mrs. ( oekreil — Senatorand Mrs. Mitchell — ASeiiatorial Kelle — Senator and Mrs. Teller.

ClIAPTKK XIV.

The Senators and Their Ladies — Continued, 95-101

Senator Cameron — Senators Voorhees and Heck — Senator I'liinib — .Senator l^ntler — Senator Hoar — Senators Moriran, MePherson, Harris, Coke, and Hamilton — Senators llawley and Piatt — Senators Hale, Krve, .\ldri(di, Sawver, anil HIair — Senators (iornian. Vest, Vance, PnV'h, tieorite, and ("all— The Ladies of Their Families.

ClIArTKK XV.

Tlic Junior Senators and Their Ladies, 102-111

Senators Evarts, Stanford, Wilson, Cullom, Karwell, Sahin, ]\Iandersoii, Palmer, iJolph, Cliaee, Spooner, Boweu, ami the Ladies of Tlieir Families — Senator Kiddletjer)jer — Senators Keiina, (iihson, F.nstis, Bowen, Colquit, Payne, (j ray, Blackburn, Wilson, Walthall, Jones, Berry — Their J.adies.

Chapter XVL The Senators Retired and Elect, 11 2-1 1 7

The Deparlint; Senators — Tlieir Ladies who have Graced the Social World of the Capital — The Incoming Senators — Their Social Surroiiudings.

ClIAt»TER XVIL

The Chief Justice of the United Stales and Justices, 118-124

The. Third Co-ordinate Branch of the (ioverninent— The Place of the Chief .liistict — His Tith — I'he Justices— I'luir L'ank - The Hi^h Social Place of the Court Cir<d( — Us Members Open the Ceremonial and Social Season at the Cai>ital — Chief Justice and .Mrs. Waite— The Justiee^iand the Ladies of 'i'heir I'amilies — .\dhcrence loUld Forms.

Chaptkr XVIIL

The Speaker . . 125-129

KecoKnize.l by tin- Constitution— The Temire of His Ottici — The Symbol of His Authority— The Fasces— The Power of the Speaker— His Place ill till' Scale"r.f 1 )ii;tiities -Title— Cereiiioiital and Social Kelations — lohn (Jrilliu Carlisle — Mrs. Carlisle.

VI SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON.

Chapter XIX,

The Representatives, 129-134

The ()tH(M;il ami Social Cin-le of the Popular Branch of Congress — The Constitutional Powers anil I'reeedence of its Members — The New England Representatives — Their Ladies.

Chapter XX.

The Middle States Representatives, 135-145

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and I)e!aware, in f'ongress— Their Latlies in the Social Circle of tlie People's Hranch — A (iroup of the Heauty, Wit, and Fashion of the Most Populous and Wealthy Section of tlie Union.

Chapter XXI.

The Western and Pacific Representatives, .,.•■• 145-152

The Men and Woman who Built up a Western Empire — Typical of the Spirit of American Institutions — The Representatives from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, California, Nevada, and Oregon — Their Ladies.

Chapter XXII.

The Southern Representatives, 153-162

A New Generation in the Congressional and Social Life of the Capital — The Representatives, and Their Ladies, of Maryland, Virginia, North • Carolina, South Carolina, (Tcorgia, Florida, AlaViama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia — The Territorial Delegates — Their Ladies.

Chapter XXIII.

The Army in Society, 162-179

An Epitome of Martial Valor and Fashion— The Lieutenant General and his Military Family — Their Ladies— The Officers of the Statf Departments and Ladies — The Garrison of Washington and its Social Lite.

Chapter XXIV.

The Navy in Society 179-187

The Naval Circle — Admiral and Mrs. Porter — The Vice Admiral -The Active Rear Admirals— Officers of the Administrative Bureaus and Their Ladies-The .Judge Advocate General — Professor Newconib and Assistants and Their Ladies — The Officers of the Hydrographic Office, Steel Inspection, Naval Observatory, Navy Yard, and on Special Duty— Their Ladies.

Chapter XXV.

The Marines in Society, 188-191

"Mond.ivs" at the Barracks— Fashion, Music and Parade — The Inspection " Hop "— Soiiilv Siirht Sccin'j -The Imiwinii-Uoonis of the Wife of the Colonel Coliilnalidaiit— Colonel I\l<-C:iwlcy— The Stall- Major Houston — Cajitain Pope — Thi^ Junior Oflieers-The Ladies of the Garrison.

Chapter XXVI.

Retired Officers of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, 192- 19S

Heroes on T^and and Sea — The Veterans of Three Wars in the Peaceful Walks of Social Life — A Distinguished Gathering of Brave Men and Accomplished Women.

CONTKNTS. VI i

Chapter XXVII.

In the Statutory Rank of Official Precedence 199-207

Tlic .Iii(lj;fs of the ('(nut of flainis and Tlu'ir I^adios — The Sofidarv (if thf Sciiati — Tlif Clfik ol-tli.' House of HcprcMMitativcs— TIm' Assistant S.-cri'taiics of Kxt'i-iitivi' lieparttnoiits— 'I'lic ( I.mU of llie Siipri'iiif Court i>f the I'liiti'd Stati's-'I'licir Social SiirrouiidiiiKs.

CllAI'TKR XXVIII.

'llie Washinj^ton Correspondents, 208-216

Who the V arc — The Ladicsof Tlicir Families — Tlicir l'Ia<'(.* in .Society — 'I'lie City I'ress.

Chapter XXIX.

I'noflkial Society, 217

Its IinTcasiiiK Inflticiicc and Importance — Iir.awinK the linos — The Representative Cliaraiter of Washington Fashionable Life — Its' I'cr- .•^onnel to be Considered.

Chapter XXX.

Some Notable Social Events, 21S-230

State Levees, Official Diiiinir, Social r)ra\vini;-rvooms, and T.iinclicoiis lit the Executive .Mansion — The Banquet to the (^iiecn of Hawaii — Cabinet Entertainments — Tlie Christening of l)orotliy I'ayiK' Whitney — Diplomatic Halls — Congressional (iayeties — .\rmy and Navy Germans -Club Keeeptious— Fasliionable liiversions.

Chapter XXXI.

The Kirmes, 231-240

The Elite of Fashionable Life at the Capital Witnes.i tlie Dance of Nations — Three Hundred Dancers in Costume — A Gorgeous Speetacle.

SOCIETY I.\ W'ASHLXGTOX.

CHAPTER I. The National Capitai, and Its Social Life

a reflex of national life — technical contentions over constitutional abstractions — a political agency— the new regime — washington the capital of a nation — an embodiment of its political and social life— prospective magnificence.

irT-X /"ASHIN'OTOX is becoming each year more and more an epitome of

I Y Y' the social life of the Republic.

c-'— -^ The fashionable life of the capital of a nation may be said to be a reflex of the polite society of the nation itself. The society of London, whether of the court or gentry, is an embodiment of the higher life of the kingdom. The gay life of the French capital, whether we go back to the luxurious court of the old regime or to the days of military ascendancy under the great Napoleon or follow it down through the mutations of imperial and republican forms, presents a mirror of the social life of tlie French people. The precedence of military over civil rank in Berlin pervades the entire social yfabricoflhe Empire. The Austrian capital reflects the social phases of the Teutonic and Sclavic races of Southeastern Europe. Russian imperialism, thawing its inspiration from the traditions of the Kremlin, and transplanted upon the banks of the Neva, exalted the court and nobility into an attitude of social pre-eminence felt throughout llie vast length and breadth of that Empire of European and Asiatic peoples and reared a superstructure of social life among the governing classes, based upon the foundatio'-s of autocratic power subservient to and part of the sovereign will.

In adjusting the authority of the government cf the United Slates under the Constitution of 17S7 to the cpiasi-sovereignty of the States, thequestion of establishing a Federal territory in which the government should have supreme control as an inceptive condition to the vigorous and unobstructed exercise of the powers of the new Constitution, gave rise to the most acrimonious discussion on the part of the opponents of a national system. The inconvenience of a peripatetic government meeting during the seven years struggle for Independence in seven cities and four States to suit the vicissitude^ of war jiractically exeiii])]iried llie advantage of a fixed place for the exerci ,e of executive and legislative functions. A chss of politicians who kept tlie coun- I try in constant turmoil over controversial technicalities upon constructions of the Constitution and State lights for a half century, persisted in advocating the absurd doctrine that the National Capital was nothing more than a central political agency, where Congress might meet upon stated occasions or upon the call of the President 10 pass laws, appropriate money, levy taxes, declare war, ratify treaties, confirm nominations, and adjourn ; where the President and Executive officers and employees, the Supreme Judiciary and Ministers of the Diplomatic Corps might live a lif"e of official and social isolation and neglect and where residents might pay taxes for the privilege of maintaining a municipality of which the National Government was the chief and most costly beneficiary.

The ultimate and incontrovertible vindication of the indubitable supremacy of the National over assumed St:te sovereignties, established beyond further cavils of so-called statesmen the ascendancy of principles of government which recognized in the Capital of the Nation the supreme embodiment of its political and social life. The effect of party doctrines and controversies upon the National Capital is forcibly illustrated in the slow march of the early decades and marvelous progress of recent years. When John Adams took possession of the unfinished executive mansion and Congress assembled amid the rubbish of the partly built capitol in the autumn of 1800, there lived within the limits of the Federal territory 14,000 inhabitants, 4,000 of whom were negroes. During a period of sixty years— 1800-60— there had been an average annual increase of but 850 white persons. The Nation meanwhile had grown from 5,000,000 to 32,000,000 inhabitants. In the next twenty-seven years the Nation's Capital, under the liberal and enlightened policy of the new regime supported by the cultured and lefined sentiment of the people of the country at large, expanded into a city of over a quarter of a million. Its assessed wealth, which had increased to bit $41,000,000 in sixty years, rose to $200,- 000,000 in twenty-five years, one hundred millions representing the value of its unrivaled public buildings. There is no hmit to its future growth in population, wealth and magnificence. To measure the future of the Nation's Capital would be to mark out the grand march of progress of the Nation itself. To describe its majestic public edifices, its princely private residences, its works of art, its institutions of learning, its departments of science, and the brilliancy of its oflicial and social life presents a picture of the ascending glory and grandeur of the government and people of the American Republic.

THE PRESIDENT.