The Van Buren press., 1867-03-22
Glimpses Behind the Scenes.

| w ashihblOh correspondent VI '"V '''''"
Post. writes as follows:
/ have invariably noticed during very
nearly quarter of centurys observation
of the capital. that the last few weeks Of a
congressional session are sure to be more OF
less proiiigatcy spent by members general
ly, but with decided preponderance OF dis
sipated cOnvivialty pertaining 70 the lower
House. From the general
aspect of things, it is manifest that there is
standing Committee Of Conference at all
times in session between the two houses
No. 9, and No. g." But after all, this
is a very tame affair to what is going for
ward in dozen different apartments, in
! juxtaposition with this, and still further
to the rear Of the scene upon which Speaker
/ COlfax finds it polite to turn his back
/ These are sumptuouS rooms, accessible TO
members only" and ladies who desire to
confer with them. Each one of them is
dream of luxury, and representing during
the greater portion of each day the appear.
ance Of an impromptu leyec. at which a
dozen or more of Congressman may be seen
| playing the host at one time, and chattering
with score or two of the brightest and
most striking specimens Of the sex divine.
AS rule, the staid and elderly occupants
Of representative desks have little call.
find. to any one these ravishing precincts.
Nor do members escorting their wives and
daughters through the laJarynthinc magnifi-
cence of the Capitol lead them straightway
to this most beautiful and gorgeous of the
suites of Congressional apartments. and |
marvel not. Men who have grown gray in
political service, or sent here to end life
of public work amid the dignity OF states
manlikc surroundings, are not the ones to
be wheedled by woman'S smile, or pledged
to equivocal legislation that questionable
gains may follow, because brigHt eyes are
bent upon their own deficient orbs, and
delicious perfumes are flung as from censor
| by the tender beiewcled casket before them.
Not so the young, the jaunty, the lagkaome
VI. G.. from State and constituency remote
from the capitol. They meet here; those
nameless women of nameless ton, congre
eating from no one knows where, and going
during the recess of Congress no one knows
whittier, yet always in force and power
when legislation is going on. They are at
once the handsomest, most remarked,
Scandaized and inscrutable Of their sex,
appearing upon the evanescent surface Of
society in Washington. Generally to be
found at the principal hotels ol the city,
and invariably occupying the royal cham
Der of the inn, fit has one to boast of, they
there weave the meshes which enthrall the
unwary gentlemen from the western borders,
meantime holding fast to the gay and
" honorable Lotharios from parts more
contiguous. Most of these iemal lobbyists
are women Of rare culture, extraordinary
gifts and marvellous TACT Round and
round their taper fingers are wound the
heart strings of the unsophisticated delegate
from an unknown territory and the mem
bers from the very rural districts, while
the selfrcliant posted and diplomatic rep
resentative from the metropolitan regions
basks in the presence of the dashing crea-
ture Just to let them know that he is there,
and if made available, must be propitiated.
To see how all these elements are continu-
ously worked upon, and rendered as plastic
to the will and schemes of each bewitching
intriguante, as though reelection depend
ed upon the success and qualification of her
highest whim, is rare fun to the initiated,
and such as is enjoyed every day, if you do
but take saunter through the suites of re-
firing rooms in the rear Of the Representa-
tive Chamber. 1t is vista of magnificent
drapery ana frcsco, relieved and shaded by
the presence of bcvies of the most beautiful
ladies of the day. Charming tets tetes in
acoves, whereat an ecstatic victim is being
still further disciplined to the requirements
Of an imperous charmer. Howbei., in other
quarters, groups Of half dozen Congress
men are congregatcd, each tickled and tit-
waited by the sparkling badinagc Of the
female lobbyist. In not whit have | cx-
aggeratcd the fascinations Of and ascendancy
over these gentlemen OF the Lower House,
gained by women whose designs and in
terests come to be made public, sooner or
later. Themselves the hired instruments
Of some corporation or individual interest,
sometimes the recipient ofa regular stipend,
but more frequently sharcr in the spoils
to be tried for, they fit through the bief
days ola congressional session, viewed with
suspicion, ostracised by society, yet aped
IN dress and air by half its leaders, and
binding to their girdlcS the wills and I'M
pulses Of members sufficient to hold an un-
doubted balance of power over the fortunes
of the measure to be lobbied.
Ee- We presume Virginia was called
the Old Dominion not only because