The Washington times., 1895-03-03

Wnen speaker CrlSpS gaYel strikes the
desk on Monday afternoon it will be heard
for the last time by number of the old
war horses, who have been in Congress
for years and VI hose presence in the House
has been looked upon as almost absolutely
essential to the dignity OF that august
body. Among them are men who have
seen constant public service for the past
twenty-five or thirty years, and whose long
devotion has been rudely and Unexpectedly
terminated by the political cyclone that
swept over the land last November.
OF course the question of what they will
do now that they are no longer upon the
government payroll is OF great interest to
those who have long watched their career.
Some of them had, prior to their cleo
ton, accumulated sufficient Of worldly
goods to retire without looking about for
some means OF a livelihood. but others,
less fortunate. have not been able to save
enough from their salary to insure COM
Portable income. With the latter, the out
look is somewhat indefinite.
statements better halves upon the subject,
Curious to learn the feelings of these
statesmen's better halves, a representative
of The Times called upon the wives OF some
of the most prominent.
Mrs. Simpson, wife Of the prominent
Populist from Kansas, has neat little
home on Capitol Hill, where she spends
most of her time in the usual round of
domestic duties. She is a sweet-faced
woman. and has no patience with the
frivolities of fashionable life which make
up the round of gayety at the Capital, but
thinks her time can be better employed in
her household affairs. In reply to a
| query about her plans, she smiled and said
| she was going back TO the farm in Kansas
| again 10 take up the work which she had
/ left to come to Washington.
| And great relief it viii be 10 me, y
! she continued, FOR / have been acting as
! Mr.. Simpsons secretary, and find it hard
/ work TO send out so many documents and
seeds. His defeat was a surprise, but not
a disappointment, for his health has been
| so poor since he came to Washington that
/ he would soon be forced TO leave off the
| work. Being accustomed To the open air
| of Western farm, the confinement OF a
/ Congressman's duties We're too hard on
| his constitution, and a return home cannot
| but make him strong again.
Il care nothing for society, and have
| gone out but very little. for 1 think society
as seen at the Capital, is fraud. People
come to see YOU simply from curiosity,
and care nothing for you as soon as your
/ back is turned. Half of the ladies who
! make calling d business, do so simply be
| cause it is popular and fashionable. / do
not pretend to say that things would be any
| different Were the Populists TO come in But
1 can at least predict that if the Democratic
party continues TO make the blunders it is
making al present, 1t Will not long be in the
ruling power"
! Mrs. j. II. Graham, wife Of the Represen-
| tative from Brooklyn, lives at the Ebbitt
| House, and was seen just as she was leaving
| the hotel for an afternoon walk.
Il Will be delighted to get home," she
1 remarked, FOR Mr.. Grahams health is so
! poor that he needs a rest. While he has
/ been in the hardware business for some
time, do not think his health viii permit
/ him to continue in active work; so Just what
| we may do in the future we have not yet
settled upon
The handsome wife of the famous Mis-
| souri, statesman lives at neat little family
! hotel. she came to Washington when a
] bride over twenty years ago, when Mr..
Bland was first elected, and has spent most
| other time since at the Capital. Inspeaking
| of her future, she said she would be sorry
to leave place where she had passed so
many years.
"Mr. Bland" she continued, twill take
the lecture platform and speak in several
places under the auspices of some Western
gentlemen, and when the lecturing is over
he viii return to his law practice, which has
been sadly neglected during his political
life.
''Mr Bland was surprised at his defeat,
but for myself 1 am glad to have him out
OF public life, though, of course, | wanted
him to be successful in all he undertook. 1t
is great disappointment for him TO leave
when the fight for free silver is stil on, for
he has devoted his whole political life to this
issue and had hoped to carry it through be-
fore his retirement.
while have many pleasant friends
here, have never cared for fashionable
society or mingled much in the gay world,
but my time has been spent in looking after
a large family of children. OF course it
is an honor that / appreciate, to have my
husband in Congress, but the life is an upset
one that is hard on woman who loves
quiet home.''
Mrs. Caruth, wife of the Representative
from Kentucky, lives in cosy quarters at
the Riggs, but being lady whose health
is poor, she has not been out much in the
social world She thinks Washington the
most beautiful city in the world, but would
rather live at her old home in Kentucky.
1.-The life of a Congressman" she added
''is good education, for it enables one to
meet the most prominent people in the land,
land bToadenS ones ideas and feelings by
contact with others On leaving Wash
ington we will return to Louisville, and Mr.
Caruth will continue his law practice.
"Of course, no woman cares to see her
husband defeated, but think, sooner or
later defeat must come, it is just as well
| that we go home now. We are both proud
of the hoDoTS that have been shown Mr.
| Caruth. but we will both be glad TO get home
for rest"
One of the handsomest women in Congress
sional circles is Mrs Lafe Pence, of Colorado,
| true type of the rich glowing beauty so
| common to the daughters of Old Kentucky
She has always disliked to have her husband
in politics, and was glad TO hear he was to
return no more to Congressional halls. In
| speaking of their future, she said Mr.. Pence
| had not yet fully decided upon his plans.
Until lately" she remarked, ''AIr. Pence
! expected to return to Colorado and resume
the practice of his profession in Denver
But he has received some business offers
that may make q decided change in his
plans Personally l am delighted that he
| is defeated. for we are tired of being poor,
and l hope he now has a chance to
make some money"
Mrs. Sibley, wife of the millionaire Con-
gresham from Pennsylvania, lives in a suite
of pretty apartments at the Shoreham, and
while she dislikes to talk for publication, told
the reporter of her husbands plans.
"Mr. Sibey will go back home to Frank
| lin and resume control of his oil business.
He refused to run for Congress this fall as
| it entails so much hard work, and he wishes
to devote himself to his business interests
entirely. He is an ardent free silver man, but
has no hopes of any action in its favor by
the present Congress- 1 am not fond of
| fashionable life, and only delighted that
my husband has gotten out OF politics and
we can return home'
| Mrs. Haines, the better-half of the mem