The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-11-29
OH THOSE WoMENl

A Tempest Brewing In Washington Social
Circles-Mrs. Hendricks Mrs. Mcdonald
Which Shall Take Precedence I'm Society
Under the Incoming Administratlon-The
other Ladies All on Tipe-toe.
WASHINGTON, d. c., November "a.
Society is On tip-toc here over the threat
ened outbreak in the event of the selec-
ton of "Joe" Mcdonald as a member of
Cleveland's Cabinet. The trouble be-
tween the Hendrickses 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-
mable 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-
complshed but not so beautiful. Mrs.
Hendricks is credited with having adj
monished her husband, before the recent
Chicago Convention, that he needn't eX-
pect hearty welcome upon his
return If Mcdonald was nomi-
mated. "My dear" said Mr.. Hem
bricks, 81 must do as my constituents
instruct me-" ''Thomas," added the fair
diplomatist, ''you know just as well as L
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 ,
ity for the statement that when Mr.. Hem
bricks 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 it's delivery Mrs.
Hendricks was represented on this occa--
sion by bevy of fascinating beauties,
who charmed the delegates into believing
that Mcdonald was "too horrid for any.
thing" Since the election, the apprehen-
sions of Mrs. Hendricks have increased,
and the report that Mcdonald is to
be given Cabinet position has stirred
her martial nature to its 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 Cabinet officer ranks higher than that
of the wife of the Vice-President. Nor is
Mrs. Hendricks anxious to see Mrs. Nc
Donald the wife of Justice of the Su-
preme Court, for that would also give her
more prominent social position. The be-
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 it
was she who pushed Mr.. Hendricks into
a position to do the carrying. There are
a number of ladies here who are admirers.
of Mrs. Mcdonald, and who will defend
her against the vicious attacks of her
powerful rival.
In response to letter from Washing.
ton friend Mrs. Mcdonald recently wrote.
that she did not wish, as rule, to asso-.
ciate herself with contests which were
likely to arouse personal ill-feeling, 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 q very
pretty battle, and the sympathies in this
section are mainly with the lady who has
been placed on the defensive.