Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-16

4hAt1S
Inc hrst act on the statute books establishing
o line of precedence in the executive circle was
placed there on January 10. 1856 That enact
ment of the law-making branch provided for
the performance of the duties of the Office of
President in case Of the removal, DEATH
Resignation or inability of both the President
and Niee-President" and specified the line of
succession vested in the members of the
statutory council of the President. By the
terms of this legislative instrument the order
OF social precedence of the ladies at the head
of the executive is by constitutional right of
Office of their husbands. Mrs. Harrison and
Mrs. Morton. and by statutory recognition of
their husbands. Mrs. Blaine, Mrs Window
Mrs. Proctor. Mrs. Miller. Mrs. Wanamaker
Mrs. Tracy or her representative, Mrs Noble
and Mrs. Rusk This Is returning to the order
of the first cabinet with the other departments
added IN the chronological sequence of their
creation.
SECRETARY BLAINE
To speak in detail of the premier of the adj
ministratiOn wOuldbe to traverse a career of
political and personal distinction not exceeded
IN the list of statesmen since the foundation of
the government James Gillespie Blaine born
IN southwestern Pennsylvania. fifty-nine years
had the prestige of a name distinguished in
colonial. revolutionary and national history
His paternal great-grandfather. an officer of
thc Pennsylvania line. a friend of Washington
and cOuImIssary general ont of his private
means more than once helped the continental
army out Of the most desperate straits for
food.
After a careful education in the preliminary
courses he entered college. and graduated
seventeen Years of age, being one of three who
took the honors. From Washington college
Young Blaine became professor at the West
trn military institute at Blue Lick Springs.
n.y. There were nearly 800 students. He not
ONLY knew each one by name, but they were
all deyOttr - him.
MRS BLAINE.
AbOut ~ miles distant. at the town of Millers-
burg. he met Miss Harriet Stanwood. like
many other New England girls before and
since. engaged as a teacher. She belonged to
an Ipswich family which had settled in Massa-
chu-ett> bay in the early days of colonization.
and were among the most active of the sturdy
men and women who built up that section.
They aiterward went with the advance guard
Oi civilization into AZ. ,+lcn q dependency
of Massachusetts
After several years spent in teaching in Penn
sylvanla III 1853. through the influence of his
wife. Mr.. Blaine removed TO Augusta her
home, and embarked in Journalism being a
wing. In 1872 he entered the state legislature.
and in 1862 the lower branch of the national
Congress. In that year Mrs. Blaine made her
first appearance III Washington social life
Since that time during the long period of nine
teen years down To 1881. when Mr. Blaine re-
tired from public life. Mrs. Blaine has presided
over his household. as he rose step by step
from Representative to Speaker. to Senator
and to premier. with the associated honors of
foremost leader of his party. with the prospect
OF being its nominee for the highest office in
its gift and finally its candidate.
HER CHARACTERISTICS.
The natural tendencies of Mrs. Blaine are to-
ward the quiet of domestic life. In Augusta.
where her father. Jacob StanwOod. and her
mother, before her marriage Miss Sally Cald-
well. of Ipswich, Mass. lived for many years
and where Mrs. Blaine was born. she is be-
loved by all her neighbors and friends. Her
father. who was a wool dealer, while he never
held any public office. was man of influence
He took great pride in his daughter who was a
tall. queenly girl of fine natural gifts. strength
ened and applied by liberal education. She
was ambitious. and being young woman of
force. determined to make her own way III life
After her marriage her wOmanly affections
went back to her old home. There James Gill
Iespie Blaine and Harriet Stanwood began their
united lives III earnest. The eminent successes
which have attended the career of Mr. Blaine
since be settled. by his wifes advice. in Augusta
are the best tributes to the accuracy of her
womanly munitions. All through her married
life Mrs Blaine has been the COMPANION and
counsellor Of her husband. The world often
estimates woman from the standpoint of femi-
nine fOlhes and frivolities. The applause in
splred by sTch "a standard is transient 1t NAV
bring a certain degree of evanesccnt satisfac-
ton. but the home circle Is the truest test of
the better instincts of true wOmanlv nature
The home at Augusta and the friends who
make up its circle of intimates is the best evil
dence of the domestic and social instincts of
the Blaine family. Mrs. Blaine has performed
her part IN the Cver-chsngIng scenes of politicO-
social life at Washington more a matter of
duty than from sense of fondness for fashion,
able gayeties. Her reserve of manner is often
interpreted austerity. But beneath this
reserve is ali the warmth of womanly tender
ness.
THE BLAINE CHILDREN
Mrs. Blaine is again the presiding lady of the
home Of the premier Of an administration. She
will now have daughters who can assist her in
her social duties. Alice Blaine the wife OF
col COpPinger. of the army. and Margaret
Blaine will be with their mother. in her home
ON Lafayette square. Miss Harriet StauwOod
Blaine. the youngest child. Will be "a de butante
next season. Walker Blaine. who has been a
companion for his father now also holds con-
ndeutlal official relations with him. Emmons
Blaine has just entered upou his duties vice.
president of the West Virginia Central railroad.
and Will ind the Washington home convent
emily al hand. James G.. Blaine the Youngest
sOn. having settled in life i'll earnest has his
Career before him.
MR.. WINDOW.
The Secretary Of the Treasury and Mrs. VIM
dom are well known in the capital. Mr.. Win
dom had figured conspicuously in public af-
fairs for twenty-five wears when he left the
Senate several years ago. first as Representa-
tive for the long period of eleven years. dating
from 1858, then a Senator for eleven wears
more. then as the finance minister of the
Garfield administration. a line of duty cut
short in several months by the assassination of
the President. the succession of Vice-President
Arthur and the appointment of Charles j.
FOlger. and then for two years again as a Sen
AtOr. He now reapPears in the cabinet full of
years Of duty and experience.
MRS. WINDOW.
During these varying and alternating ex-
yeriences of legislative and executive duty
Mrs. Window has Ornamented the social
environments of her husband. She was
Miss Ellen T. Hatch. q daughter of
Eev. l. {. Hatch, prominent congregational
A&
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