The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-01-02
FEMALE LOBBY MEMBERS OF CON-

GRESS.
The following from Washington CORE
spondent, gives new chapter in the history
of American legislation:
In classifying the lobby members Of Con.
eress the female representatives of the "third
house" occupy no unimportant position. In.
deed, may Say that one experienced female
lobbyist is equal in point of influence to any
three schemers OF the other sex with whom ]
am acquainted. Every session draws to
Washf ton a number of these femenine birds
of passage, us well as prey, and you will find
their names ut Wizards, Browns, the Nation.
nj, or wherever members most do congregate;
ard not great measure comes before Con.
gress that they do not have an important, if
not a conspicuous, "fnger in the pie" Their
interest is secured for all schemes, private or
public, for lobbying through private bills and
public acts, for the extension of a patent or
the granting of an indefinite number of acres
Of public lands for private speculative pur-
poses. Woman's influence has often secured
the attendance of member when his vote
was sure and needed, and her fascinatons has
been exerted when il was necessary that an
opposition vote should be absent from the
House. Many poor member has braved the
censure of his constituents and neglected his
duty for the poor rtcompense of an hours
teteotete with an empty smile from pretty,
persevering, fact and fascinating woman. Be
sure the female lobby member deserves con.
sideration 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 considerations but she
must have tact, talent and n thorough con-
tempt for the conventionhities Of society,"
She must be easy, affable and accommodating
in her disposition, and it matters not whether
she be sweet sixteen "or fat, fair and fortv,"a
maid, wife or widow. Sometimes the female
lobby member is a strong minded woman ad.
vocate for woman's rights; again, she is lit
erature celebrity, poetess, perhaps, or n tyro
in literature, whose incipient effort is slowed
away upon the shelves of some friend from
sheer reaard for the public, whose taste is too
crude for the deectable food furnished
through the travail of the spirits medium
know of such But whether strong minded
or gifted, the female lobby member has n
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 of
which am treating. Why this is so Mn
not able to say; but that it is so is the fact
Perhaps they understand better, from previ-
GUS trial the springs by which the male ami
mai is aciuated, and can manage the machine
to more advantage from Knowing its compli-
cations. Be that as it may, the widow is the
most powerful of the tribe 20 which she be-
longs, and many n member has an abiding
regret that he has neglected Sam Weller's
caution to ~beware Of the vidders." Now and
then belle finds herself in the ranks of the
lobbyists, but does not stay therc.long. She
goes the way Of woman kind generally, pro-
badly 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
my stify and perplex the peoples servants, and
the end is accomplished most perfectly aud to
the entire satisfaction of all concerned.