The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-06-29
WOMEN AS POLITICIANS.
THEY WELD ScEPTRE IN HALL
OF CONGRESS.
The Statesman In Society Is More
Successfully Approached at Five
O'clock Teas Than Anywhere Else
Lobbyist Plays Second Fiddle.

EObGJiSA SNSSha
Beneath the great white dome in
Washington our law makers are writ
ing history in the hall of Congress,
while their homes are the center Of
that social interchange that represents
the intricate machinery of the stage.
Washington society is of itself a fac
tor conducive to the dissemination IT
the informal mingling in the happy
freedom of the } o'clock tea.
1t is on record that more state secrets
are Matched and disclosed over the
nuts and wines than any amount Of
lobbying could accomplish. 1t is not
the professional lobbyist who today
wields the scepter in the halls of Con-
gress, hat the fashionable hostess who
understands her part and arlanges
her menu to tempt the palate of her
guest.
How many legislative favors are
won across the tlower-decked board
will never be rcckoned. Yet the age
writes its story on the page of time,
The power welded by the wife of a
politician possessed of ordinary dip
lomacy is unhounded. and when to this
quality is added wit and beauty her
success is assured. A well known So
cial leader whose husband has been
twice elected to the Senate asserts
that a SucaaGSflIl social noroar iS cuf.
ficient to guarantee reelection to
Congress, and that one brilliant enter
tainment properly reported has more
influence with Il constituent than any
number of official favors.
Conspicuous among women whose
influence has been felt in legislation
without apparent deviation from her
natural environment may be number
ed such congressional DANES as Mrs.
Frye, Mrs Elkins, Mrs. Davis, Mrs.
Gallinger and Mrs. briggs. In order
of precedence Mrs. Frye may take the
lead, in view of the Senator's long and
repeated tenure of Office and from the
fact of his wife being at once a wo-
man VI IllOtiCoNg anu
opinions. She has from the first as
sumed an influential position among
the resident hostesses, her familiarity
with delicate points Of etiquette and
thorough knowledge Of political ques-
lions rendering her advice eagerly
sought by those less fortunate, while
her sweet womany heart has never
been known to refuse assistance to
those in need.
Senator and Mrs. Frye have for a
great many years occupied suite of
handsome apartments at the Hamil-
'on Hotel, during the winter, spending
their summers quietly at their print
tive little cottage on Squirrel Island,
off the Maine coast, where the Senator
may indulge in his favorite pastime-
fishing -forgetful of the world of pol
itics and all that lies beyond his hor-
iZon.
Mrs. Elkins, wife of the Senator of
West Virginia, is also regarded a be-
loved and familiar figure among resi-
dents, her beautiful home on X street,
west of Farragut square, being rank
ed as one of the charming social cen
tiers of the city. Twice returned to
Congress, Senator Elliins has also been
Cabinet minister under the Harrison
administration, when Mrs. Elkins' re-
ceptiOns were the most enjoyable and
largely attended of each season.
As Miss Hallies Davis, daughter Of
ex-senator Davis of West Virginia. she
enjoyed thorough familiarity with
social life that well fitted her for her
present responsible position. Her sud-
den change of politics is in conformity
/ with her ideas of wifely duty.
Mrs. Cushman X. Davis, wife of the
Senator from Minnesota, is essentially
a true and loyal helpmate to her illus
trious husband, who is justly proud Of
his handsome wife. Mrs Davis pos.
sesses an innate power of discernment
and gifts of diplomacy that renders
her approval or disapproval not to be
| ignored; her naturally vigorous health
and splendid vitality being an invalu-
able quality in her social career. To
require advice or assistance is suffi-
cient Introduction to Mrs. Davis good
graces and her hand is ever outstretch-
ed in liberality.
! Mrs. Gallinger. wife of the Senator
from New Hampshire, enjoys wide
! spread personal popularity for her
many loyable qualities of heart and
mind. A truly devoted wife and moth
err, Mrs. Gallmger takes keen interest
in her husbands political career and
willingly endureS any amount of ia,
tigue in the interest of her obligations.
When duty calls this brave little wo-
man never flinches, but swallows all
mere personal preferences in its fulfil
ment.
Senator Gallinger and his wife. with
/ their son, have lived for years past at
the Elsmere. one of the most popular
of private hotels.
Mrs. Edward II. briggs. the wife of
Representative briggs of Brooklyn,
n. Y. is reckoned one of the most at.
tractive among congressional women,
her charming personality and cultiva-
ton of mind rendering her eagerly
sought after among social leaders. To
] be friend OF Mrs. briggs is a privil-
eye jealousy sought after. Essential
~ womanly woman. Mrs. briggs is
an ardent politician Mt heart and takes
a keen pride in her husbands political
| ambition.
Where II Started.