White House gossip

by Edna M. Colman

MRS. GROVER CLEVELAND

In her wedding gown

In the social life of Washington in Cleveland’s days, the activities of William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy, and his charming wife, eclipsed those of any other public man. A local paper gives some account of their home:

“In a temporary residence, they at once began to entertain, and by the fall, when they had the house now the William A. Slater home, on I Street, selected, their hospitalities were well under way. The house was done over, the ballroom addition put on, and a modernizing touch put everywhere. Each winter, the Secretary and his wife gave weekly receptions and balls, at which the smart folk in official and resident society were present, and a supper of all the substantials and delicacies, with champagne in plenty, was a regular feature. Dinners for home and visiting grandees were just as numerous as cotillions as large as the ballroom would permit, musicals, and every other fashionable diversion.

“Mrs. Whitney’s Wednesdays at home were attended by hundreds. There was always a well-spread refreshment table, a floral decoration, and the presence of the beaux and belles of every year, and the visiting public by the hundreds. The last hour of these afternoon gatherings was regarded as the smartest rendezvous of the capital. Other daylight parties at the Whitney home were just as frequent. Readings, musicals by professional and amateur talent continued throughout each season.

“The Whitneys, besides, carried on a fashionable country life at Grasslands, in the Tenleytown direction. The Country Club bought the property later. Their weekend parties there during the Christmas season and throughout the spring were most entertaining episodes. The Secretary gave the use of the place during the summer at stated times to the clerks of his department and their families for picnicking. He distributed presents of turkeys at Christmas time to all of the homekeeping employees of the Navy Department.

“A spring entertainment of note was the tea which followed the Easter Monday christening at St. John’s Church of the baby daughter born to the couple that year. Baby Dorothy Whitney of that day is now Mrs. Willard Straight of New York.

“There were souvenirs for all the guests at the house—egg-shaped, white moire boxes, prettily ornamented and bearing the date and the baby’s name. The boxes were filled with tiny egg-shaped candies.

“Mrs. Whitney gave some Christmas tree parties in that I Street ballroom which were a revelation to many of her visitors, who had never seen anything so bewilderingly gorgeous. A tree reaching to the ceiling would be shining with tinsel and glittering effects, and the centre for one of the merriest gatherings of the West End. Sometimes the party was for the children from St. John’s Orphanage, when substantial gifts followed the other pleasures. Both husband and wife took interest in local affairs and were generous in their charities. Mrs. Whitney’s death followed shortly after her return to New York to reside.”

With the Easter festivities came rumours of an approaching White House wedding. Gossips had reported the betrothal of the President and Miss Folsom, and whispers of a Paris trousseau and of the beauty of the bride, “the little schoolgirl friend” whom Miss Cleveland had introduced during a few days’ visit of the early winter. But no official confirmation was forthcoming. The bachelor President, past the age when men are apt to marry, like his predecessor had long been the target for maids and widows matrimonially inclined. He had disposed of his obligations to provide the White House mistress by installing his sister as its chatelaine, but this arrangement was not wholly ideal. Miss Cleveland was gracious and responded to every demand upon her, but she had her own career urging its claims. She was a cultured, educated teacher and author, who filled her difficult rôle with dignity and intelligence. While in the White House she completed a book, “George Eliot’s Poetry and Other Studies,” which, through the prestige of her position, had enormous circulation—twelve editions—bringing her more than $25,000. This offered a convincing argument for a return to her own work, and rumour claimed that she was wholly delighted over the prospect of a White House bridal, and especially pleased that it was to be Miss Folsom, her brother’s ward and the daughter of his former partner.