The morning times., 1896-03-08
Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Cleveland and
Mrs. Brice Are Three Rich
est American Women.

White House hostess in spite of her in
validism. She has always held her re-
ccptionS regularly, and keeps herself
surrounded with young women IN place
OF the daughters she has not. She is
lavish LoiIess, spending much upon her
friends, anti she is very diplomatic
one. Mr.. Mckinley would assist his wife
in Ecr social ositlCn ana help her through
it.
The fact that Mr.. Allison and Mr.. Hill
have no ''lady," tie former being a
widowcr, and tic latter Il bachelor, C.e-
priycs goSspeTs of tie pleasure OF pic
turing the First Lady under either re-
gtme. If either were elected his life
would not be worth living until he Sc
icctcd Wife. And lie must select
young and h1auufui woman for a White
House marriage. People would dearly
like 10 see tie Cleveland romance re-
pcated. Both Hill and Allison were either
to the manner born or speedily adopted
there, and 10th are cheerful entertainers.
The Hill lady would be allowed the utmost
latitude, judging from the lavishness with
which Mr.. Hill now enterlains his men
friends, and the wife of Allison would have
her husbands able assistance. Mr.. Allison
greater society possibilities. The only other
President his equal in society predictions
was Chester \ Arthur, and back OF him
George Washington.
There are other good hostesses among the
possibilities. Mrs. Carlisle has often de-
clared that she cntertains to a certain
clearly defined eXtent-the limit OF her
pocketbook. Mrs. Lamont, a frequent sub
ject of White House conjecture, is less of
an entertainer than Mrs. Carlisle, but
having greater wealth, would develop into
a greater hostess as soon as her children
have grown a little.
With the next White House mistress poll
tics win be a part Of social life, as politics
now are in English official life.
Last week Mrs. Morton took her place
upon the floor of the senate in Albany
and talked with the senators i'm favor of
a certain school measure. Mrs Reed has
decided views. Mrs Carlisle's influence
has been sought these four years, and both
Mrs. Brice and Mrs Dimmick have lent
their names in support of semi-political
measures The day OF the woman who
doesn't know and the woman who doesn't
care has gone far by.
The next lady of the White House will not,
after her husbands election, have to take
lessons in Washington etiquette and pre-
cedence: nor viii she need to order a full
new wardrobe. With one new robe for
the inauguration hall, any of the White
House lady possibilities win he fully ready
to start-in upon the important duties of
the Presidents wife.
Mrs Cleveland has the distinction just
BOW of being the American queen regent.
No enc has ever accused her of riding
hobby or fad of any kind, not even
bicycle.
While she is jest like most Of the pre-
ceding first ladies OF the land in most re-
spects, she has a peculiar fondncss for
the great women of the stage. Some OF
these have this season already been guests
at the White House to luncheon ard other
social amenities.
Ia this regard her taste may be said to
be absorbed from the President, who, while
he does not attend the theater often, is
a great a1miTer Of actors, and par
ucularly OF his friend Rip Van Wrinkle.
Mrs. Cleveland has been much feted and
photographed with all of her counterfeit
presentments giving that smile which has
been written of in poetry and proSeas much
as the kiss OF the late Emma Abbott.
The seven possibilities present seven other
possibilities which affect the most inter-
esting half OF the population OF Washington.
1t is well understood that the first lady
in the land is supposed TO be reflc cctor OF
the social life OF the capital; and, while
there is as yet no such thing as a court
fashion, great many OF the interesting
things that are done and said. are done and
said in accord with the prevailing mental
modes OF the Executive Mansion.
Some of the mistresses the White House
have been, for instance, opposed TO func-
tions at which wine flowed freely, and
some Of them are opposed TO the festive
flow in any quantity whatsoever. While
society has not been largely obedient TO