National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-07-19
SHE LIKES OLD MEN.
Mrs. Cleveland Prefers Their ConverSa-
ton to That OF tho worthless Society
Reaux.

ton to That OF tho worthless Society
Beaux.
philadelphia Times special.l
There is one class Of society people whose
hearts Mrs. Cleveland has failed to win, and
that class is the glded young beaux. Her
personal charms are all that they could
desire, but she has shown such slight recog-
milton Of their attractions that they are dis
gusted with her bad taste. Ever since she
became mistress OF the white house she has
shown q preference for the company and
conversation Of the old men. While talk
ing with them she is vlvacious and full Of
bright rtpartee and perfectly charming.
With the elegant generation of young so.
ciety men she is quite the opposite. Her
manner 10 chilly TO a certain degree. She
says little, and although she smiles occa-
slonally, yet II is one Of that cold, discour-
aging kind that dams up the flow Of con-
versation.
The young men cannot understand 1t.
They cannot comprehend why Mrs. Cleve-
land prefers the dry old legislators to their
elegant selves. Their self-esteem has been
wounded time and again, and when they
hear the praises Of the Presidents wife
they are not apt to join the chorus. 1t is
said that Mrs. Cleveland has more than
once expressed something like contempt
for the youth who move in official circles
here. This is not surprising, for the young
men, as q rule, are not such that the
capital society can be proud Of. There are
In society here more idle and utterly
worthless young men than can be found
in any other part OF the United States.
All their thoughts seem to be given to
dress, personal adornment, and pleasures
of a more or less commendable kind. Most
of them are the sons Of lawmakers, and
they depend for subsistence upon their
fathers. They are degenerate sons of
worthy sires, physically as well as men
tally. While all the senators, with one or
two exceptions, and fully three-fourths of
all the members are large, able bodied men,
most Of their hopeful sons are cigarette
smoking handles, small, narrow chested,
weakened, and delicate. That Mrs.
Cleveland should prefer the brave veterans,
who are manly In person as well as In their
mode OF living, is not remarkable, except
TO the striplings themselves.
or the senators Mrs. Cleveland seems to
like most the conversation of Jolly old
Sawyer, OF Wisconsin. He is such faith
erly old gentleman, withal of jokes and
laughter and so gentlemanly with one that
no woman or man can help liking him.
Mr.. Sawyer goes TO the white house quite
| often, and his conversation is so much en-
| joyedby Mrs. Cleveland that he has become
one Of her most enthusiastic admirers.
"Mre. cleveland Is one OF the best con-
versers have ever metz said the senator
few days ago. 1t Is expected that he
meant one OF the finest listeners, for old
| Sawyer always does the talking when In
company. The Presidents wife also likes
| TO talk with the venerable Wilson, OF Mary.
land, who looks so much like revolu-
tioDary worthy. When she visited the
capitol few weeks ago Senator Wilson
met her at one OF the Senate entrances aud
| quite long chat ensued, which they both
seemed to enjoy very much. Mr.. Wilson
was at the white house but few times be-
fore the marriage; since that event he has
become, perhaps, the most frequent caller
among the senators. Mrs. Cleveland has
said that he is the handsomest looking old
gentleman in Washington. 1t ia whispered
In the Senate that German, the other sena-
tor from Maryland, doesn't like this turn
of affairs. So far he has had the undls.
puted control of the federal patronage In
Maryland, and he fears that these frequent
visits to the white house may have some
political influence.
Another visitor to the white house is OK
Gov. Curtin, of Pennsylvania. The gov
eTnor is fond of relating war "reminiscences,
and Mrs. Cleveland likes TO listen TO them.
Capt. Eads, who accompanied her on a
visit 10 the capitol, is the latest to be added
to the white house frequenters,