Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-11
TIE CONFIDENTIAL CORNER.
One OF the singular Attachments of thu
Congressional lob5Y.

One OF the singular Attachments of the
Congressional Obby.
One OF the most striking scenes about
the Capitol during the daily sessions is
about she Ladies Corner in the Stat
utory Hall, says a Washington letter
writer. This corner is one Of the most
curious attachments Of any legislative
body. 1t is unique and full Of
interest TO the members. The
place, which is behind the great col
umns ard guarded by the statues OF Gar
field and Ethan Allen and furnished
with leather-covered sofas and chairs,
has been frequently described, but the
picture 10 all its ~fullness has never been
given aud perhaps never will be done
full Justice. The greater number OF
ladies who come TO the Capitol receive
visits In the galleries from their friends
on the floor, aud some days the scene
there is of the most interesting Of re-
ceptions. But the confidential corner,
the place Of more seclusion and COM
fort, is amid the soft leather
furniture behind the trusty stat
ues. Many a representative OF
the great people spends a social
half hour or so here with comfort
and pleasure, and, il is 10 be hoped,
with benefit. 1t serves some of the I'M
initiated as a sort Of school Of training
for the more extended field Of social
life I'm Washington. He who would be
quite III at ease in a fashionable draw
ing room or in ladies' society under
most n other circumstances Tolls
back on a sofa beside some fair creature
there with an easy familiarity which is
sure to rub of some OF his roughnesS OF
manner and shyness. The ladies who
frequent this corner perform a great
work in the way Of overcoming the shy
ness OF new members. In many cases,
however, those who have long since
forgotten that they were awkward or
bashful In ladies' society, still cling TO
the habit of visiting this corner and ap-
pear TO take some delight In the relaxa-
ton 1t affords from their heavy labors
10 Congress.
This institution was not started as a
training school. That feature has
merely developed incidentally. Pri.
marlly it was intended as a place
where ladies coming to see Congressman
might sit and wait while a messenger
carried the cards in on the 1OoI. The
backs of q line Of sofas up against the
columns from the boundary Of the
sacred precincts OF the blessed and
beautiful, and a card reads in big black
letters, Exclusively for Ladies'" etc.
An elderly maa sits at a table with two
or three 2 at his side and blank
cards for the use OF those who do not
carry their card cases. A yellow mes
sepRer sits at the entrance 20
keep Intruders out. An interesting
and lively reception is always
10 progress during certain hours Of the
day while the House is in session, and
the receiving party Is usually numerous
and attractive. Sometimes ten or q
dozen members will be among the visi-
tors at one time, some sitting on the
sofas, and some standing behind the
columns or statues ia earnest converse
ton with the fair hsbitues. During the
dav there Is q constant coming and go
ing between the house and this reeep-
ton room. Ali the members who are
called there do not 20 from choice; and
the womsn-hater, who is compelled by
p~ollteness to go in response to a card,
nav be known by his flushed and an
moved countenance and his ~impatience
To set away There are some men who
cannot b6 cultivated In 4 social way,
even wnen surrounded by all these ad-
Vshtages.