The evening times., 1895-12-07
WOMEN II The CAPITOL
Pretty Sten0graphers Fill Little
hooks in the Big Corridors.
WRITE MEMBERS SPEECHES
They Polish Off the Period = a md Stiffen
the DicttOn of Public Addresses.
Talk With One of the brightest.
Fear Czar Reed May Turn Them
Out of His Bailiwick.
WRITE MEMBERS SPEECHES

"In this mighty drama. what are girls
and their biIDd Visions?'' asked George
Eliot. But since that great woman thought
and wrote. a revolutionary wave has swept
round the globe, and girls have washed the
dustfrom their eyes They have good, clear
| visions now: they map out careers and live
them.
The women have stormed the very Capl-
tol itself in our country, and under its great
white dome they tauutily or dignifiedly
pursue whatever course Is possible iu the
quest Of the good things OF life.
While at this time OF the year when Cor
gress has convened, there are perhaps
1900 people making the Capitol render
yous for affairs. 1t Is still a very noticca BILE
fact that the pettlcoated part Of huma nifty
has Invaded this greatest stronghold. They
stand on the last redoabt waving their fiag
Of victory.
Aud the cnemy-man-appears to like it.
Indeed the victory was won with smiles.
1t was very bloodIess conflict On the
lopeuing day OF Congress there were many
OF the feminine clerks on the floor of the
House before 1t was cleared for orga auzation.
Old members crowded about their fayorite
| aud fell over each other To shake hands with
these capable women whose association
4
an interest to the driest details or letters,
bills, or speeches.
| NOEND TO THEIR AIMS.
| To be sure, women thus far are only
| clerks, but it doth not yet appear what
they shall be. Being a good clerk means
the acquiring of vast deal If information.
| Now, IL imitati,n has its usual results
some uf these women will progress SO far
"a tn. bs try bQir VS. nj "
sooner or later, and then Innovation will
doubtless follow upon Innovation. and the
cominngling uf minds that will ensue-but
that is another story.
At present the consideration is that
women are un the scene of action. To
conservative mind, not used 10 the woman
in business, the conditiun Is a striking
one and leads Ia the inquiry, How came they
here, what do they d. how do they feel
about it, is ii acceptable
In walking through the Capitol. the very
first time the subject greets you face t.
face is In beholding the little retreats in
the corridors of what is called the base
ment flour. where the public stenograplers
have their headquarters.
The women who hammer the keys OF n
type writer here are always busy, and though
you pass them many times a day yuu will
scarcely find opportunity 10 speak with
them. Unless you remain until the last
half hour uf the Capitol day, until bet ween
4 and 4:3O O'clock, you would b. an in
truder, breaking in upon their work
1t was during this last half hour yester-
day that The Times reporter strulled
through the corridor, where the shadows
had already begun TO gather and seeing a
vivacious little brunette half concealed
by u screen in one uf the deep window re-
cesses apparently not busy, ur at least not
Intensely so. resolved to put the queries
She was affably courteous and was soon
talking pleasantly.
WORK FOR ANY ONE.
"You sec, we are public stenugraphers,"
she said. I'VE have no salary, but work
for any Congressman who desires a clerks
services for fixed rates. Yes, indeed; it
takes Influence to get this privilege. Why,
when 1 asked for the concession there were
forty applicants after this little window
space. But had good friends. Some were
newspaper men-the best political influ-
ence there Is, you know-and there were
Senators and Cpngressmen also.
I'VE are very well treated. We are
given this little platform, this bit Of car
pet, this screen, and was given my desk
and machine by friends here. Every one is |
good I" me. But, then. I try to be good |
to others in turn. I have shaken u good |
many grimey hands since my return this |
season, but they belong to good, honest |
fellows: like them all. And they like me,
toe, for IL any one is asking for a stenog- /
rapher they send him around to me.
what do we do? On, all sorts of Con-
gressional work. 1t is very interesting.
have written speeches on both sides of
many important debates, and you'd scarce
ly believe it, but many of the members
depend on us for rhetorical flourish and
careful dictioD. They will simply dictate
ideas |
be said. In such instances you may be sure
1t is n pleasure to go up into the gallery
and hear the debate.
''Do l approve of this work for women?
Well, must say yes, with qualifications.
Personally like it thoroughly. You see,
we have a regular little world here and a
great chance to study human nature.
.'Thc men one meets are brainy, and we
have opportunity to get really into the
,urrent of life. 1t il a wonderful nppor-
tunity for woman to live intellectually. And
yet, and yet-what shall 1 say?
ITO be candid. then. it is not the place for
a young girl. 1t requires a woman of bal
ance, woman with judgment. These
to say the least, are apt to be
flatterers. and a girl would surely lose her
head. with all the foolishl badinage that
floats around and means nothing.
THEY ARE STILL HUMAN.
"You see, men haven't yet accepted the
fact that woman as n clerk ceases to be a
woman and becomes a machine. The hu- ,
man instincts are ever uppermost-"
'Isn't the opportunity to do little lob
Dying presented to you?" Ii
Lobbying! Why, don't you know that is
almost entirely a disgraceful business? Yet | ,
t is always the temptation around the
Capitol. Now, it's like this: Why should ,
I, for instance. ask any one to give his vote .
n an issue that is to affect the country at
arge for a miserable personal considera-
ion? 1t is disgraceful.
Yet one hears it on all sides You do
his for me. and I will do that for you; I !
ielped you. you help me; If you don't sup ,
port this, will tell of a certain occurrence.
Even the walters In the restaurant have men
n their power. That is why woman
,ould hardly be believed correct who lob
)ied. :"
lin.
JUDGES OF CHARACTER.
"YOu must have occasion to Judge the
very fairly. Is there any diff /.
erence in their characteristics. their gen
rosity. for instance?''
There is, indeed. shouldn't like to say
rhat part OF The country sent the most mig
ardly ones, for only a few exhibit mean
ess.
But the big. hearty, rough Westerners
n sombrero hats are the most generous.
trh hoa fhafr, fn1I |