Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-07-16
PETTICOAT POLITICIANS.
How Wives of Senator's Influence
LegislatiOn.

HOW "1NeR OF
Legislation.
Barring only Mrs. Roosevelt and the
women of the cabinet, the wives Of
United States senators are the iEost
conspicuous leaders Of official fashion in
Washington. Those Of them who
choose to be such are personages of
high Importance, and their favor and
recognition are eagerly sought. In
many instances their husbands are
very rich men and wealth, with the OPP
portunity for entertaining which 1t
gives, adds substantially to their prom
inence.
Although the days Of lobbying, recog-
nized as such, are over at the national
Capitol, the dinner invitation, and the
drawing room influence are still potent
as Of yore. No legitimate successor of
Sam Ward gives gorgeous entertain
ments for the purpose of modifying leg
islation, but the fate Of many a bill be-
fore congress is determined by petit
coat persuasion. It Is by no means in
|
are actively engaged in the business of
wire pulling, but, through social and
othey channels, they have large control.
Recently a regulation was laid down
by Mrs. John Hay to the effect that the
wives Of senators would In future be
expected to make the first call upon
the wives Of ambassadors arriving in
Washington, though hitherto this has
not been required. Wives Of ministers
plenipotentiary must call first as here
tofore. No requirement was made in
regard to the wives of representatives
III congress, simply because they are
not supposed to be in the same set
with the wives of high diplomatic per-
sonages.
Nothing could better illustrate the So
cial distinction which exists In Wash
ington between the senate and the
house. There are a few representatives
who are persons Of social prominence,
but the great majority are utterly un-
known to the fashionable life Of the
capital. With senators, however. 1t is
different, and their wives, If they so
choose, are personages. Their acquaint-
once is eagerly desired and people flock
to their weekly receptions.
One of the most fashionable women In
Washington is the wife of the senior
senator from Michigan, Mrs. James
Mcmillan, who has always taken a
conspicuous parts in social gayeties.
Since the senator first took his seat IN
the upper house, in 1889, the Mcmillan
house on Vermont avenue has been IA
| nous for it's charming nospitalities.
Mrs. Mcmillan enjoys the enviable rep
utation of being one Of Washington's
most popular hostesses, and,an invita-
ton to one of her little dinners Is
thing greatly to We desired.
Mrs. Charles w. Fairbank. wife Of
the Indiana senator, has attained spec
| ial distinction as the president of the
Society of Daughters Of the Revolution.
She is one of the most popular women
in official circles, and her palatial home
on the corner of Massachusetts, avenue
and 10Th street is one of the most pleas
ant houses in Washington to visit.
The Fairbanks hail from Indianapolis.
Mrs. Stephen Benton Elkins, a daugh-
ter Of ex-senator Davis Of West Vir-
ginia, is the wife of one Of the most
popular men in the upper house. She
| Is one of the most fashionable women
in Washington, where she has lived for
many years, and entertains magnln-
Gently, being noted for her hospitality,
both at her home on K street and at
Elkins, w. Va. Her husband has been
senator since 1894, having previously
occupied the position Of secretary OF
war under President Harrison, While
before that he was a member or the
lower house for two terms.
Mrs. Joseph Benson Foraker Is a no
tably handsome and distinguished look
| ing woman. The wife Of the senior
senator from Ohio, she enjoys an i'm
portant and influential position In
Washington, and her big yellow house
on the corner of 18th and streets is
the centre of social attraction. Her
ldauChters are very popular in society
here.
The wife of Senator Julius c. Bur-
rows, of Michigan, is another notable
Washington hostess. Though her hus-
band was only elected to the senate In
1895, he had previously served for a
number of years in the house of rep
resentatives, and so she Is looked upon
as quite an "old Washingtonian," as
the phrase is, in this town of kaliedo-
scopic changes. The Burrows come
from Kalamazoo and they occupy a
very handsome house at 1,404 Massa-
chusetts avenue.
Mrs. Joseph c. S. Blackburn is the
bride of the senate, having been mar
ried to the Kentucky senator only a
few months ago. She was a very at
tractive young widow at the time of her
marriage and had been for several
years a resident of Washington. Oddly
enough, her first husband also was
named Blackburn, though, so far as
she knows, he was not related in any
way to her present husband. The
Washington home Of the Blackburns
is at 2.O13 Hillyer Place.
The wife of the junior senator from
Idaho, Mrs. Fred T. Dubois, is charm
ing young woman with hobby. She
is an enthusiast in kindergarten work.
having taken up the study before her
marriage. Mrs. Dubois has apartments
at the Loudoun, and amid her manifold
social duties she has found time to give
a series of elaborate entertainments for