The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-31

During the present administration, and, l
believe, during part of the Arthur admin
istration, there lived in the center of this
city, a large, handsome woman, who kept
a fashionable boarding house. She came
here apparently poor woman, but found
the means to furnish a large house. rent
rooms, and give board. She had several
boarders, among whom were five or six
members of congress. Those congressman
did as they pleased in her house, and no
questions were asked. They ran in debt
for their board, and the landlady did not
press them for a settlement. 1t was not
long before each of them was In debt to
this accomplished woman, deeply in debt.
Moreover, they were all candidates for re-
nomination and reelection, and their land
lady began to employ that very effective
weapon known as blackmaiL They were
completely at her mercy ard were forced not
only to speak and vote for certain measures,
but they were obliged to work like inter-
rested parties, urging their fellow members
to permit the bills to pass.
The woman referred to is an exper-
fenced lobbyist, and she never fails to get a
grip of steel upon several members OF each
new congress, and when they are once in her
power. she uses them with rigorous, I'M
relenting will. She is sample of the kind
of woman to be daily found in the ladies'
reception room of the house. There are
several like her and their moral skirts are
never too clean.
"What can do about its" said mes
senger who frequently receives cards at
that post and sends pages in to call out the
congressman. "Of course, know these
,Yomen. They come here SO often and so
regularly that know them, their habits,
their little games and all their plans. l
know which men belong to them, and
which men scorn them. But what can dos
None of them are boisterous, nor in any
manner unladylike; at least not TO such a
degree as would warrant me in turning
them out, or ordering them to stay away. In
deed, do not know but that il l were TO
object to them or act rudely or uncivilly
toward them, some fine morning / might
find myself out of job, and another man
appointed in my place"
do you suppose that those women can
influence appointments In that wayP in
quired.
"Well, don't know about that. l do
know that I'd rather have their good will
than their bad will. They 60 in gangs, and
anyone who strikes one of them will bring
the whole crowd down ON him. They don't
make any threats, and are always smiling
and polite; but they have claws beneath
their soft gloves. I've seen them purring
and cooling 10 members, when / knew, and
the member knew, that one word OF dissent
would bring out their claws. oh no,
guess I'll leave some man OF moro influence
than myself TO fight this moral evil and
purify the reception room. can't quarrel
with the broad and butter OF my family;
not much.n
Not all ladies' who visit the reception
room arc bad. On the contrary, the wives
OF senators and resentatiyes are occa~
sionally seen there; but they belong 10 tho
families of new members, and are soon
warned concerning the place. Then there
are real ladies' residing here who call and
occupy seats In the room for n time, but
they seem AZ ignorant Of their surroundings
As strangers would. There arc many In
dies here who know a. little OF the capitol
NJ though they had never been IN WashinE-
ton before. They are seen ia Tao reeeptioh