Huntsville gazette., 1884-11-29
Oh THOSE WOMEN!

a Tempest Brewing in Washington Social
Circles-i1rs. rs.Hendricks VS. Mrs. Mcdonald
Which Shall Take Precedence in Society
Under the Incoming Adninistration-Ths
Other Ladies All on 1ipe-toe.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., November q.
Society is on tip-toe here over the threat.
cned outbreak in the event of the selec-
ton of "Joe" Mcdonald as a member of
Cleveland's Cabinet. The trouble be-
tween the IIendrickses and McDonalds
is of long standing and, thus far, the
genial Joseph has been the worse for it.
The wife of Senator Mcdonald is an esti-
msble and very beautiful woman. She
was the belle Of indianapolis society,
and her prestige made her Objectionable
to Mrs. Hendricks, who is quite as ac-
com2lished but not 50 beautiful. Mrs.
Hen,lricSs is credieel with having ad-
monished her husband, before the recent
Chicago Convention, that he needn't ex-
pcct q hearty welcome upon his
return if Mcdonald was nomi-
mated. "My DEAR said Mr.. Hen
dricKs, ''I must do aS my constituents
instruct me-" "Thomas," added the fair
diplomatist, 'Eyou know just as well as |
that you would rather fall off a grain ele-
vator than see that man succeed" Ger
tain observing gentlemen who were pres
ent at the Chicago Convention are author
itV for the statement that when Mr.. Hen
dricks nominated Mcdonald for the Pres
idential nomination he did it
IN SUCH CHOICE, FREEZING LANGUAGE,
that poor Joe" was worse off after the
speech than before its delivery. Mrs.
Hendricks was represented on this occa-
sion by bcyy of fascinating beauties,
who charmed the delegates into believing
that Mcdonald was 900 horrid for any
thing" Since the election, the apprehen-
sions of Mrs. Hendricks have increased,
and the report that Mcdonald is to
be given a Cabinet position has stirred
her martial nature to It's marrow. Should
Mcdonald reach the Cabinet, the social
position of Mrs. Mcdonald will be supe-
rior to that of Mrs. Hendricks, as the wife
Of Il Cabinet officer ranks higher than that
of the wife Of the Eice~President. Nor is
Mrs. Hendricks anxious to see Mrs. Nc
Donald the wife OF a Justice of the Su-
preme Court, for that would also give her
lief in this city is that the Hendricks fam
lily are coming TO Washington with the
idea that pretty much the whole re-
sponsibility, both political and social,
for carrying on the next administra-
ton is likely to rest on their shoulders.
Hendricks, it is said, boasts openly
that it was he who carried Cleveland safe
ly over the political bridge, and Mrs
Hendricks is quite as pronounced that il
was she who pushed Mr.. Hendricks into
a position to do the carrying. There arc
a number of ladies here who are admirers
| Of Mrs. Mcdonald, and who will defend
her against the yicions attacks of hel
powerful rival.
In response to a letter from Washing
ton friend Mrs. Mcdonald recently wrote
that she did not wish, as a rule, to asso-
cate herself with contests which were
likely to arouse personal ill-fecling, but
that she considered it to be her duty,
not only to her eminent husband
but TO her own good name, to refute the
ill-natured inuendoes which the Hen
bricks clique was engaged in circulating
to her injury. Altogether it is very
pretty battle, and the sympathies in this
section are mainly with the lady who has
been placed on the defensive.