The evening times., 1896-03-12


The fate of nations has more than once
depended on Il woman, and if report be
true, the realization of Cuba Libre has
been delayed considerably by the efforts
of one of the feminine gender.
1t is said that the most potent factor
in checking the sentiment in Congress IA
vorab,e to the Cubans, has been the social
influence the Spanish minister has brought
to bear through his wife, Sonora de';.ome,
10 support his side OF the question. This
Woman diplomat has been untiring in her
efforts 10 win over her lady acquaintances
in the social swim, and has secured the in
flucncc of u number of them to help her
husband to at least delay, If not prevent,
the recognition of Cuban rights.
But Sonora de LONE has not confined her
efforts TO the tender sex. On the after
noon OF the day on which Senator Hale
delivered his violent speech in favor of
the Spanish cause, the Sonora called upon
him with letters and documents, prepared
10y her husband, and these furnished the
material for his TRADE against Cuba. And
before Senator Hale delivered his defense
of the Spanish minister, Sonora de LONE
visited him and for her husband furnished
him with the documents which he employed
in that speech.
Social Influence. when arrayed sOlidly on
any one side, has always been more potent
in Congress than money and power, and
/, has been so TO quite an extent in his case.
Sonora de Lone and the minister have,
with diplomatic astuteness, realized this.
and the former has directed the greater
inn 70
the Spanish cause the wives and daughters
OF the Senators and Representatives.. She
has diligently visited aud pleaded with
them, and has succeeded. Ii is said, in in
Gucing many to persuade their husbands
and fathers to aid the cause of Spain in
Congress.
While il is very improbable that any per-
mapent measure of success will attend it
with regard to Cuba. the social lobby"
as IL ma V be termed, rarely fails to accom-
plish the end IL is interested in attaining.
This has been demonstrated in many cases.
Arm y and navy officers, dismissed through
findings of court-nartia1. have been re-
stored to rank ard honor through the ef-
forts of the wives. These women simply
organize society women into body for
a. determined and agg ressive attack upon
Senators and Representatives, ard their
influence, cxertcd in every home circle
usually prevails.
The power of the social lobby" was
instanced in Washington some years ago
The widow and daughters of prominent
official were left heirs TO a valuable es
tate. which was, however, incumbered with
a tax debt, coming down from the rule
of Gov. Shepherd, amounting TO about
S36, 900. The taxes had been assessed
for street and sidewalk improvements,
and similar taxes had been assessed against
| all the property in the District at that time
The ladies, who had inherited about
| half million dollars, had n bill intro
/ dcued in Congress to relieve the estate
| from the payment of the tax, and, in
spite OF newspaper condemnation and pow
erfui influence arrayed against the bill, il
passed Senator John j. ingalls, was one
| who voted for the bill. and while he de.
! nounced it as an outrage, he said:
What else could 1 do but vote for il?
My wife and daughters just made it a
condition OF living at home in peace that
should vote fOr the bill Of their lady
| friends"
There is little doubt among those ac'
uuaintcd with the influence of the social
lobby that Senator Hale has been made
10 respond to the demands of femininity,
and this is given TO account for his atti-
tule OF antagonism to the Cuban cause.