The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-07
WOMEN LOBBYISTS.

Who They Are and How They Work In.
Washington Republican.
Several new lady lobbyists have made
their appearance about the Capitol this
winter, aud, although the old veterans com.
plain OF dull times and dry pickings, the
raw recruits appear to be doing thrifty
business The female adventuresses who
haunt the galleries, lobbies, and waiting
rooms day after day are "A queer lot.
Strange as it may seem," said gray.
haired observer OF long experience, in dis
cussing this phase OF life in Washington,
"a considerable proportion OF the female
lobbyists are honest women. You know
what mean, women who do not make
vulgar commerce OF their charms; but by
far the largest portion arc looso Charac.
tiers. One OF the most successful
and notorious lobbyists l ever saw
was beautiful brunette from the
south, who made Washington her head.
quarters for several winters. So far as any
body about Washington ever knew she
was pure as IN iCiCe hanging from the
temple OF Diapa, and nearly as cold. She
had Senators and Congressman and grave
diplomats by the dozen in her train, and
she led them pretty race. She was q
mistress OF her art. Chastity is GOLDEN
she once told me, were to forget myself
once my usefulness would be gone. One
false step means ruin. No woman, how
ever prudent, can afford to deviate from
the straight path. The evil tongue Of
gossip is certain 10 blast her good
name-absolutel certain. Women may
imagine they are conducting their intrigues
with extraordinary prudence, hut where
they are known at all somebody will learn
Of their mistakes, and then they might as
well make public advertisement OF their
wrecked lives. Nobody can say i'll OF me
except to testify that they think l take
money to lobby for or against bills in Con-
gress. That is not enough TO bar me from
good society, aud there lies tho secret OF
whatever power l may have l do not
know what became OF this woman. She
disappeared as she came, suddenly, and
without warning, and without leaving a
trace, and have not heard OF her or seen
her for eight or ten years.
Every few OF the women who call them
selves lobbyists amount to much in that
| line. 1t is the women who are seldom
seen in or about the Capitol who have in
tluence enough over voters 10 make their
purchase an object. Men interested in
iubricating or clOgging legislation are sell
dom foolish enough TO invest money in
brazen professionals. II they are really in
need OF Just few more votes, they
sometimes ascertain who are the mis-
tress Of certain statesmen Of inhu.
ence and buy them up, trick
that is by no means difficult to per.
iormanCe. These women generally live
quiet and retired lives, letting their identity
and commercial voting value be known
only TO limited few. There arc men and
women who are mean enough to trade on
their knowledge Of the liasons OF Congress.
men, and there are Congressman weak
enough to be governed by their fears Of
exposure in the disposition Of their votes.
There are congressman, and not few Of
them either, whose lives are perfect bells
on that account, and all tor the lack Of
nerve to defy and scorn the blackmailers
into whose clutches they have fallen"