Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-03-21
A Cabinet Lady's Position.

"A OAOIuCt A0uy VSASAosas
A Washington correspondent, comph-
menting the wife of Secretary Fish on
the manner in which she has performed
the duties of her position, says of those
duties:
"There are many who may envy the
place that is filled by a lady of the
Cabinet, more especially the exception
alposition that the wife of the Secretary
of State holds, but the honor that goes
with that position, even during the
most desirable and heightened of ad-
ministrations, can hardly pay for the
excessive fatigue and responsibility that
accompany it. Her position demands
scarcely less diplomacy than that of
the Secretary of State himself. She
must commit no social mistakes; she
must never allow her feelings alone to
sway her; the innate prejudlces of
woman must not influence her social
life; she must see everything and note
all the plays that are made IN the great
game of society that is going on around
her, but she must not, by sign Or word
or look, betray her knowledge; she
must manifest special judgment in her
association with members of the dlplo-
matte corps. and she, of all the ladies
of the Cabinet, is brought into the most
constant intercourse with them. She
is often consulted by the other ladies
of the Cabinet, and she sets the fashion
for them to follow. No matter how
Objectionable the wife of q foreign
minister may be, the leading lady of
the Cabinet must make no note of the
objections, but treat the lady just the
some as if she were a paragon OF
American perfection. If she dreams
of doing otherwise trouble ensues; wit.
ness the Fish and Catacazy troubles"
A Womans Opinion of DIR. Mary Walker
DR.. Mary Walker is a freak of ma
ture, aver. For while she is a wo-
man she utterly lacks the three essen
tials to a feminine creation-mOdesty
sensitiveness and personal vanity. For
could any woman, naturally created
anC endowed, thrust herself into the
unbecoming, thoroughly conspicuous
costume worn by DIR. Mary? [ have
no partially toward Mrs. Woodruff
but at least her "dress reform" was
not positively devoid Of grace and
style But DIR. Walker draws over hel
very slender neither limbs tightly fitting
pants, unrelieved by any drapery save
8 short sack trimmed with an attempt
at feminine taste, with bands of fur
down the back, while womanish look
ing hat surmounts the living pedestal.
In summer this phenomenon appears
in silk pantaIoons over which a gayly
Powered or plaided grenadine suggests
GOODNESS if not beauty. Sometimes q
ruff1e finishes off the lower rim, some
times an edge of lace. [ can only add,
in way of excuse for this strange being,
that | sincerely consider her NON conapos
nae'atis. One day walking with some
friends who had just arrived in the
city, we overlook this peculiar being in
front Of the fence surrounding the
White House grounds. The stone
foundation upon which the iron railing
rests is two feet Or more above the
sidewalk proper. Nothing daunted
the little doctor had her foot placed on
the elevation while a sooty bootblack
was vigorously shining up her shoes
We stopped to watch the progress of
events, and also to watch the wander
ing expression Of two unsophisticated
negresses, who, with outpopping eyes
and open mouths, were gazing at this
apparition. Finally, one astonished
African found breath to exclaim,
Bress de Lord, chile, be it g. he or be
it a she? Pr Washington Letter.