The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-29
Warbled MelliffluousIy Into the
Sympathetic Ears of the Ma
tons Lawmakers.
Lady Lobbyists Who Exert Great
Influence on the Course Of
Legislation.
The Mother Of Them All-Dr. Mary
Walker-Favorites With Women
Obdurate Wretches.

WASHINGTON, June 25.-How far the influ-
ence of woman operates on legislation in
this country cannot even be estimated, for
such an estimation would have not only to
include the influence of legislators wives,
which doubtless is considerable, but it must
go back and take in the mothers, at whose
knees our lawmakers learned those earlier
lesso1 which are never quite forgotten.
But here is direct feminine influence
which is tangible enough to form basis
for estimation, or at least for speculation.
A few weeks ago it was announced that
because more room was needed for the
house committee on ways and means the
room in the south wing of the capitol
which had been used by the ladies as a
place of waiting for and meeting
representatives to whom they had
sent their cards, would have to be
given up to that committee. Easy chairs
and sofas were accordingly placed in one
corner of Statuary hall, as the old hall of
representatives is how called, and here the
ladies' are provided with pages and the
means of sending for such members as they
may wish to see. am informed that the
change was made not at the suggestion of
the ways and means committee nor for its
better accommodation, but at the instance
of many ladies' who had observed that
women of questionable character were in
its dark corners rs places for meeting some
what unobserved those members who we're
willing to meet them there.
In the bright light of Statuary hall and
in the publicity of the corner set apart for
them the ladies now find relief from this
wait for members they may study the eff
gies of those great men who are memorial
| lied here, reflect upon the wickedncss of
Lewis Cass's tailor, and trust that for the
peace of his soul this statesman's coffin fits
him better than his coat.
| This waiting room accommodates more la
dies than the old one did, since it is very
desirable matter for those who are doing"
the capitol to stop and rest. Being just at
one side of the main route of travel be-
tween the two wings of the building, it
gives good view of the panorama of passing
multitudes, and Mr.. G. H. Ellis, the venera-
BILE gentleman IN charge is peculiarly cour-
teous and painstaking in pointing out to
the ladies such notables as may be
passing. Here it is that the feminine lob
byists congrogate and exercise their consid-
cradle influence on the legislation of the
republic pub ,O:r, .,,,,u;.,, ,., ,,,,o - T.. =.
garded as almost term of reproach, and
when the name woman is coupled with it
we are apt to think only of that short
haired, long -tongued. bold-faced, strident-
voiced creature, who, being neither man
nor woman, is usually avoided by both.
But there are lobbyists and lobbyists, and
among those who come to this capitol very
few OF the feminine ones want in modesty,
gentleness, or sweet responsiveness. These
few are bores, the very worst of bores,
since, wearing the garb of woman, they
have to be treated with show of courtesy.
But for the most part the women who may
be classed as lobbyists are respected by the
best members and treated with earnest con-
sideration.
In point of service Mrs. Olive M. Hecht-
man is the Oldest, believe. of the women
now regularly engaged in lobbying in
Washington. For twenty-six years she has
been the self-selected champion, friend
and attorney of all sorts of worthy claim
ants, and while she has tirelessly labored