The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-01-14
Washington Correspondence CT the New York Heral,
Femala Lobby Tembsrs

In classifying the lobby members of Con-
igress. the female representatives Of the "third
house, occupy no unimportant position. |
may say that one experienced female lobbyist
is equal in point of influence to any three
Bchcmers of the other sext with whom | am
acquainted. Eevery session draws to Wash
lngton number Of these feminine birds of
passage as well as prey, and you will find
their names at Willar0's, Browns the Na;i1u-
al, or wherever members most d. congregate
and not great measure comes before Con-
gresS that they do not have an important, if
not conspicuous, Finger in the pie" Fheir
interest is secured for all schemes, private and
public; for lobbying through private, bills and
public acts, for the extention of Il patent or
granting an indefinite number of acres Of pub
lie lands for private speculative purposes -
Wonan's influence has often secured the at
tendance ola member when his ote was sure
and needed, and her fascination has been exert
ed when it was necessary for an opposition
vote to be absent from the House. Many a
poor member has braved the censure of his
constituents and neglected his duty for the
poor recompense of an hours, tete-a-tete with,
and an empty smile from pretty, perseyer-
ing, fast and fascinating woman. Be sure the
female lobby member deserves consideration
while treating upon the system which affords
her stage to act upon.
The female lobby member is Of no particu-
lar age. Age is not consideration; but she
must have tact, talent, and thorough con-
tempt or the convcntionalitjes Of society. She
must be easy, ai1ble and accommodating in her
dispositiou and it matters not whether she
be sweet sixteen, or 'iat fair and forty" a
maid wife, or widow.
Sometimes the female lobby member is a
strong minded woman, an advocate Of womans S
rights; again, she is literary celebrity, poet
eSs, perhaps, or 4 tyrO III. literature, whose in
cipient effort is slowed away upon the shelves
of some prudent friend from sheer regard for
the public whose taste is too crude for the de-
lectable food furnished through the travail OF
the spirits medium | know of such. But
whether strong minded or gifted, the female
lobby member has good share of strong
practical common sense and keen perception
of human nature. Without these qualities
she would be naught.
Widows form the majority Of the class o
which am treating. Why this is So am
not able to say; but that it is so is the fact
Perhaps they understand better, from prev
Gus trial, the springs by which the male ami
nal is actuated, and can manage the machine
to more advantage from knowing its cOmpli-
cations. BE that as it may the widow is tf<
most powerful of the tribe to which she be-
longs, AMI many member has an abiding re
gret that he has neglected Sam Weller's eau
ton to beware of the vidders." Now anG
then the belle finds herself in the ranks o
the lobbyists, dut does not stay there long
She goes the way of womankind generally
and probably marries good deal OF money
attached to an official Of some grade nearly
twice her age. But all play their part alike
which is to mystify and perpeX the peoples
servants, and the end is accomplished mos
perfectly. and to the entire satisfaction Of al
concerned.