Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-07-19

gacity.
Special Correspondence of the STANDARD.
During the hot weather season it is
generally supposed that the social
centers shift from the large cities to
the various resorts on the seaside and
in the mountains where the wealthy
and fashionable congregate. 1t is
true that social functions, especially
in their more elaborate forms, cease
to be feature of life in the cities
during the summer season. 1t is also
true that many of the persons promi-
nent in society at this time leave their
city homes and seek places where the
temperature is not quite so high as it
ia in the large cities. Washington is
no exception to this rule.
At the same time it is a mistake to
suppose that all the women who are
shining lights in society during the
winter season leave their homes here
and 60 to the fashionable resorts.
This, no doubt, is the idea of those
who herald the coming of the new
woman, and look upon the sex especi-
ally from the standpoint of the lack Of
political equality as mere butterflies
of fashion, whose only function is to
look pretty and be gracious on social
occasions. But this is merely a super
fetal view.
The leaders of society, especially
those in Washington, have something
more to do than to be ornamental.
They are all that, but in addition they
are women of affairs. They keep
posted on events of current interest,
especially those in the political world.
In many cases they are influential
forces-the power behind the throne.
While they do not actually make the
moves on the political checker board,
yet it is largely on their advice that
the moves are made.
The influence of the female sex at
the headquarters of the army and
navy is we'll known. To an extent
that is only appreciated by those who
are in q position to know, it is q
woman's brain that dictates the orders
the command OF our war
ships, and tho detail of officers ut the
various army posts. Some of our
public men find in their wives astute
and in many cases they
never undertake anything without
first consulting with their domestic
partners.
1t is a notable fact that the wife of
the Secretary of the Treasury, who is
so prominent in society life at the
Nations Capital, spends the greater
part OF the summer in the city. The
official duties of her husband detain
him here, and Mrs. Carlisle keeps him
company. To her. perhaps, more
than TO any other influence, is due the
Secretary's success in life. She is, so
to speak, his balance wheel, and it is
probable that he would have long ago
retired to private life if he had been
deprived OF the helpful presence OF his
wife.
Another woman who is a helpmeet
in the full sense of that term, is the
wife of William c.. Morrison, the
sturdy Democrat from Illinois, who is
now . member Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission. Mr.. Morrison has
frequently been mentioned as candi-
date for the presidency, and he is still
among the possibilities. Mrs. Morri-
son has as keen an appreciation OF the
political situation as her husband,
and she often acts for him in his alb
sence and attends to his correspond
ence. especially that which is OF q po-
litical character.
A woman of fine executive ability,
Mrs. Brice, the wife of the millionaire
Senator from Ohio, assumes her share
of the burden which devolves upon q
man who occupies the position Sena-
tor Brice does in the political and
financial world. Mrs. Brice takes en-
tire charge of the extensive establish
ment which is maintained by the Sem
ator in Washington. She has her own
private secretary, and maintains
supervision over all the details OF an
elaborate mode of life which involves
the employment of an army OF servants
and the exercise of an almost prodigal
hospitality. The list Of women of this
character is very large one, and any
ono who is at all familiar with WASH
ington life can readily recall instances
of the potent influence of women in
the varied affairs at the Nations CAPT.
tai.