The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-01-20
Sacrifices Of Cabinet Onic,rs, wives.

Writing from Washington a GORE.
spondent of the Detroit Free Pysss sava.
'tAllusion was made but now to those
whom official position cOmpels to make a
labor of what should be pleasure. and
in illustration must give you some idea
of what an arduous business falls ID the
lot of the wife of q member of the Cabi-
net. Everyone, without limitation. is
privileged to call on these ladies on their
reception days, and, as custom has made
the returning Of all these calls obligatory.
when 800 additions are made to their Wis.
iting lists every Wednesday, the labor in.
volved in making q proper acknowledge
tneht Is easily imagined. From 1900 to
1850 names on their visiting list is the
ordinary number. Several years ago a
lovely lady, since dead, who then occupied
one Of these harassing positions, gave me
some idea OF her daily life, and, as her
successors of The present winter are no
less taxed, will repeat her words: L
order my carriage she said, for twelve
O'Clock every day, no matter what the
weather may be, and begin calling. Noon
is little early to begin, but l have no
choice, and continue on my rounds until
dark. On returning home have no time
to rest, but. changing my visiting costume
for an evening toilet, 20 to {" state din
fer party and Immediately on the con-
clusion of the feast begin my round of
gas-light receptions and balls So many
invitations arc showered upon these ladies
that they are compelled to keep book in
which to register their engagements, not
daring to trust the fulfillment of them to
an overtaxed memory. II anyone is
amazed that ladies are willing to undergo
such fatigue, they must remember that un-
popularity is the lot Of those who are not
rigorous in the discharge of the duties
long-established usage has attached to the
places they hold in society by virtue of
the official rank of their husbands. And
1t IS not matter concerning which the
wife of Mr.. Secretary can afford to be
independent, for the unpopularity she pro-
vokes will include her husband-yes, and
the political party he represents as we'll
More than one of these victims to society
are martyrs to principle, and offer them
selves up on the sacrificlal altar rather
than make the Administration" unpopu-
lar. he most heroic of those the Grant
Administration has known is the wife of
the Secretary of State, who fultills her
every social duty with cheerful courtesy
which is perpetual surprise even to those
WHO DeSt KNOW ncf. STATE dinners on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last
week, a crowded reception in the after
noon of the last named day, and lunch
Of about dozen ladies on Thursday were
a few of her home engagements, and yet
the ceaseless round of visiting went on
Nor does Mrs. Fish employ ahousekeeper,
but superintends all the details of her
well-appointed household. Nearly all our
leading ladies' as careless reporters are
apt to style them, are actively engaged in
some of the many charities a city the size
Of Washington is bound to support. With
such diversity of arduous duties how
they find time for even a portion Of the
rest exhausted nature demands is conun-
drum. l for one give up promptly. That
they do find some moments for recupera-
ton is proved by the fact that they do not
die or willingly resign"