Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-01-20
Sacrifices Of Cabinet One.,., r.

43I&---A $500
Writing from Washington : - ~
spondent of the Detroit Free PRS. ,..a Ute
Allusien was made but now 49,.
whom Official position compels 10 49,
labor Of whist should be pieas,,rs -.
in illustration must give you some IN; Iac
OF what an arduous business fails 10 -
lot Of the wife of q member of the e.. as
net Everyone, without lImitaf;on =
privileged to call on these ladies ~ ts.s.
reception days, and. IS custom has !, n a..
stbe returning Of all these calls obi gsto-.'
when 800 additions are made to Their ~
'iting lists every wednesday. the Iaho, 4.
VOWED in making proper acknowleia
ment is easily imagined. From 500 q
2,5o0 names on their. visiting list Il mo
ordinary number. Several years age
lovely lady, since dead, who then occnaies
one Of these harassing positions. gave ms
some. idea OF her daily life, and, as h.,
successors Of .ife present winter are ~
less taxed, will repeat her words: II
order my carriage, she said, for twelve
O'Clock every day, no matter what ihs
weather may be, and begin calling. Noon
Is little early to begin, but ] lave no
choice, and continue on my rounds until !,
dark. On returning home have no tim.
10 rest, but, changing my visiting costume
for an evening toilet, ! 90 to = state din.
ner party" and Immediately oa.the con.
ciusion Of the feast begin my round Of
gas light receptions and balls So man,
Invitations are showered upon these ladies
tlfat they are compelled TO keep book IN
which to register their engagements, not
daring to trust the fulfillment of them 70
en- overtaxed memory. Ii anyone is
amazed that ladies are willing TO undergo
such fatigue, they mus, remember that IN.
popularity il the lot Of those who are not
rigorous in the discharge OF the duties
congratulated usage has attached TO the
places they hold in society by virtue Of
the official rank of their husbands. And
ii Is not matter concerning which the
wife Of Mr.. Secretary can afford TO be
independent, for the unpopularity she pro-
vokes will include ner husband--yes, and
the political party he represents as well.
More than one OF these victims TO society
are martyrs u principle, and offer them.
selves up on the sacrificIal altar rather
than make the Administration unpopu
lar = he most heroic OF those the Gran.
Administration has known is the wife OF
the Secretary OF State, who fnlfills her
every social duty with a cheerful courtesy
Which is perpetual surprise even TO those
who best know her 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
few Of her home Engagements, and yet
the ceaseless round Of visiting went on
Nor does Mrs. Fish employ bousekceper,
but superintends all the details Of her
well-appointed household Nearly all our
leading ladies' as careless reportersare
apt to style them, are actively engaged in
some of the many charities city the size
of Washington sbound to support. With
such a diversity of arduous duties how
they find time for even a portion Of the
rest exhausted nature demands is q conun.
drum. i 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"