The morning times., 1896-03-08
Review of Seven Wives of the
Most Probable Eligibles-
Mrs. Reed Would Enter
tain Lavishly.
Copyright. 1860

Copyright. 1860
FOR the first time in its 1 90 years of free
dom, the United States has broad choice
for selection Of Lady Of the White House.
The 'Possibiities' for the position are
known in social life and in diplomatic and
financial circles. True, the White House
lady has always been worthy occupant Of
the place, but more often in past years has
she been unknown until election, and then
reluctantly drawn from the retirement Of
honie, rather than a selection from the
ranks Of brilliant society.
In spite OF the fact that so many Presiden-
uaI poSsibilitiess1re widowcrs or bachelors.
there are nearly 4 dozen women who may
yet shine IN the White House, and whose
rule and position is so wen known IN society
that it can be traced ahead into the White
House walls.
The wcarhcst OF the women who might
enter the White House as mistress are
Mrs. Bricc, Mrs. Morton and Mrs. Cievc-
land. The first came into fortune grad
uaily sharing her husbands brilliant
career. The second was a great heiress
when she married Mr.. Morton, and she
enjoys a great income OF her own, indc-
pendent Of her husbands millions; and the
third is a woman about whom the halo
or romance sheds a gleam that tells OF
fortunate investments, economy and be-
qucathment, until she, too, is ranking
with the richest women.
The least known OF al the wives OF
men prominent before the public eye
is Mrs. Thomas B. Reed, who rs said TO
dislike Tie socicty or Washington. But
Mrs. Reed says this is a mistake. The
fact is that having lived 30 long at the
capital she has grown accustomed to its
gaycties ana has learned To take them
toned down instead OF highpitched. The
wives OF Tie Judges of tie Supreme Court
take Washington winters in tie same way
that Mrs. Reed takes IT, tenIeratey.
Speaker Reeds name is oHeEest coupled
with that OF his daughter Kate. This is
because Miss Kijtic las just reached the
age when young girls like TO dance, sing
and be on the 20 from morning until night
Her father can seldom slip away without
hcr, and her name more than her mothers
is Known TO tie society Photographer. Mrs.
Reed herself is a woman of culture, used
TO high social life tor the pasttwenty years.
The career OF Mrs. Dimmick has been
a public one since she went to visit at
the White House for months at time
during Aunt Carries time She came
life was a gay ore. she is Perhaps the
beauty OF The White House possibilities,
unless one fancies the youthful matroR-
illness OF airs. Cleveland. or the extreme
dclicacy OF Mrs. McKnlcy'S face. Mrs.
Dimmick, who viii soon lie Mrs. Harri-
son, is rot considered fully ''out OF the
race" Washington viii see her as u
brilliant hostess il not rs its iirst lady.
Mr.. Wilson is the best educated and
best posted woman at the capital. Her
reign would SAVIOR OF tie Lucy Hayes ad-
minislration. except that Ste would make
ilA stand FOR prohibition She would gather
The educational elements around heras Rose
Elizabeth cleveland did, and would use her
influence in mriheTing club life. She is
fine looking woman, a Southcrner and,
like the others mentioned, she has been
accustomed to good clothes and highly
cultured life.
The brilliancy OF the Washington WIN
tiers, with either Mrs. Calvin S. BriCe in
the White House or Mrs. Morton's, is sCme-
thing 20 bc more imagined than fore
castcd.
Both nIatrons would bring maria geable
daughters to the White House, with the
probability OF Il White House wedding, and
both are fond Of young society and brilliant
entertainments Mrs. whitney was the only
other Washington hostess whohad the means
to accomplish the social prestige they would
ain at. and which either could accomplish
better than Mrs. Whitney I'D. The latter
had a baby during the administration and
was handicapped by the lack OF grown-up
sons and daughters. Pauline was but q
school girl at Dobbs Ferry then.
Last summer Mrs BFice's Newport villa
cost her sac, 600 rental, paid To Waldorf
Astor. One Of her entertainments, when
she had the fortune teIlers, the dancers, the
tableauS and the garden party all at once,
is said TO have come 10 $4,000, and during
the season she easily spent half a million
in entertainments. she considers this tue
proper way cf paying back to the people
her husbands millions. In the White House
her reign would be one of unsurpassed
gayety-
The Washington runloT that Mrs. Levi p
Morton rad directed u real estate agent to
hold her Washington residence, not renting
1T until further ORDERS tells the curious
that Mrs. Morton intends TO occupy that
home another winter, either as the first
lady OF thc land or as q Washington resident.
The five Morton daughters and their
maids and friends would fill the White
House 10 the doors, and crowd out the
Presidents secretary. a private resi-
dcnce would be a necessity with Mrs.
Morton. Personally she likes TO main
tain a private establishment.
Mrs. Mckinley would be a oonsidCrate