The National tribune., 1900-03-15


equipped her for the duties she is now
called upon to meet.
Mrs Mckinley is singularly attractive
in person. She has an oval face, with
large. deep-blUe eyes that express her soul
as she looks into your face. Her head is
well formed and covered with soft, brown
hair, tinged with silver. Her bearing is
benignant and serene, and she draws old
and young unto her. She takes deep
interest in all public questions and holds
herself in readiness TO respond TO the re-
quirements and duties of the First Lady
OF the Land.
There are certain hospitalities which
have to be omitted by the White House,
on account Of the delicate condition of Mrs
McKinlcy's health, but social prestige in
this Administration has lost nothing. fer
each lady of the Cabinet has made it her
pleasure as well as duty, to extend lib
eral hospitality.
The changes that have come into the Of
fetal household with rapidity have been
felt quite as much in the ladies' Court"
as in the Cabinet.
OF Secretaries OF State there have been
three. There have been two Secretaries OF
War, two Attorney-Generals, two Secrcta-
ries Of the Interior, and two Postmaster
Generals.
When Mrs. Hobart, Mrs. Alger and Mrs.
Gary retired from the Court circle. there
was genuine regret from large group
who had been won by their unsclfish, wo-
manly characteristics.
AS cIosely as the waves OF the sea fol-
low each other are these places filled when
,sade vacant.
MRS. JOHN HAY.
IN the line of succession TO the Presi,
dency, as now ordained, since the death OF
Vice President Hobart comes Secretary OF
State John Hay. This gives social prece-
dence 10 Mrs. Hay, who, by her many
years experience in Washington society,
before her husband had assumed the port
folio Of State, is admirably fitted for any
social position which she may be called tc
fill.
Ii is whispered that Mrs. Hay desires
some changes 10 lie made III the official
prestige of the ladies Of the Cabinet
There has always existed the little friction
Of social prestige between the Senatorial
ladies and The ladies of the Cabinet, ant
St is understood that Mrs. Hay is desirous
of establishing the status Of the Cabinet
ladies not in conformity with former usage
which custom has tried to make obligatory
upon Cabinet ladies 10 make the first calls
upon the Senatorial coterie.
II might consistently be looked upon with
reason, as the Cabinet members to-day
are heirs TO the Presidency. When the con
test first began this was not the case.
The house Of Hay has been "a house
hold word in Washington for a quarter OF
century and more. From the days Of
Abraham Lincoln down this name ha.
been honored at the Capital; whether il was
as literary center or the home of the Min
lister to St James, or that of the Secretary
the home Of true, loyal Americans.
Mrs. Hay, in all the amenities due I,
social or diplomatic relations. loses n,
thread which holds in honor the exalte,
office OF the Secretary Of State.
MRS. LYMAN J. GAGE
The order Of precedence in line at tn
White House receptions is regulated by tn,
Presidential Succession Bill As the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury is second in line
Mrs. Gage has her place as second from
Mrs Mckinley on all official occasions
and, as the portfolio of the Secretary of th
Treasury has not changed hands duriu.
this Administration, Mrs. Gage is not on
VINO has come in with kaleidoscopi,
changes. She has won many friends /,
Washington. official and unofficial Sb,
is one who shows in her daily life that he