The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-13

great street grader, the fantastic female in |
pantaloons, and the woman lawyer, have
nothing 10 common, except in the fact that
they are conspicuous characters. The
sketching of congressional stars, and tell
ing the most trivial things about them. has
been little overdone, and | propose to
write about few famous female person
ages, who are as consistent in their incon-
sistencies as Blaine. Bayard, Cox, or But
Ter.
Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood. by her persis-
tent knocking at the doors of congress for
admission to the supreme court of the
United States. has become somewhat
famous throughout the country. There is
some difference Of opinion as to her ability
as lawyer, but she is certainly ready
and effective speaker, excelling perhaps like
many other lawyers.in what may be called
sentimental law. She is shrewd and sue
cessful in the management of her cases,
aud whatever advantage she may take of
the opposition, she is little unique in
that she has not been known to take
advantage of her clients. The late bill
which passed the House of Representa-
tives, to permit female practitioners to
appear at the bar of the Supreme court,
was for her benefit. She has at present
two important cases pending before that
court, which she is declared from pleading
on account OF her sex. One of the cases
is a Cherokee Indian claim involving
So 100000. The bill which passed the
House in her favor has failed to pass the
senate, but not, it would seem, from
opposition of that body; the learned judi
ciary committee OF the senate assumed that
an enabling act was not necessary since
the court itself had exclusive jurisdiction
in the matter This view of the senate
would seem to involve dead lock, on O
nice question between the highest judicial
and highest legislative bodies iE the land
for, when Mrs. Lockwood applied for ad.
mission at the bar of the supreme court,
two years ago, one of the reasons for re-
fusal, as given 10 the opinion of Chief
Justice Waite, was that there had been nc
legislation for the admission OF women
Mrs. Lockwood is now in the fifth year Of
her practice and has all the business she
can attend to. She is distinguished fol
great perseverance. patience and tact Hel
speciality is government claims. When she
began practice, her property consisted oil
a few feet of real estate in a cemetery;
now she is worth $4,000, and her pIactict
brings her yearly income about FIVE times
as large as the salary of clerk in the
treasury department.. Mrs. l., is widow
nearly fifty years of age; she is quite able
to support a husband, but evinces Nd 10
clination to marry again. She has darl
eyes, white hair, kindly intelligent features
her dress is quiet, elegant, and black; hel
liewelry a gold thimble-which she sarcas
tically wears as a breast pin.
DIR. Mary Walker, distinguished for hel
persistent parade of semi-msle attire, is {
native of Oswego, n. Y; and her family
is one of standing and responsibility. Lonl
years ago she was married to Mr. Miller
but whatever distinction he may have
gained from that union he has now nt
right to claim for he was divorced abou
twenty years ago, and DR.. Mary has re-
sumed her maiden name. Congress voted
her gold medal for services during III,
war, and the secretary of the treasury haC
her elected from his department not lonl
since because she was annoying. d. W
has big boot but wears a little foot. Sh,
suffered for years chronic martyrdom o
ridcule in the cause Of cjmfort, health
and principle; at least that is her view O
Iiti dOu tue alt VI mlDgleu Resignation an
resistance which forty-nine years OF per
verse heroism have stamped upon the face
torm,and gait of the grotesque little woman
is pathetic rather than funny. 1t is im
possible for me to describe her clothes, eve
J specifically She wears kind of dress
with demi skirt, in fact the demiest skin
you eyer saw, cane and pair of panta
looms. 1t was the intention of your cor
respondent to interview her tailor, but
learned on inquiry from one of her friend
, that she cuts her own trowsers, and erie
, like woman when she can't make the,
BIT. @. o. s.