Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-14
washington Correspondence st.
Globe-Democrat.

washington Correspondence St. LOUIS
Globe-Democrat.
Barring only Mrs. Roosevelt and the wo-
men of the cabinet, the wives of United
States senators are the most conspicu-
Gus leaders of official fashion in Washing
ton. 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
opportunities for entertaining which 1t
gives, adds substantially to their promin-
ence.
Although the days of lobbying. recog-
nized as such, are over at the national
capital the dinner invitation and the
drawing room influence are still potent as
of yore. No legitimate successor of sam
Ward gives gorgeous entertainments for
the purpose of modifying legislation but
the fate of many bill before congress is
determined by petticoat persuasion. 1t Is
by no means intended to imply that sena-
tors wives are actively engaged In the
business of wirepulling; but, through so
cial and other 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 eX-
pected to make the first call upon the
wives of ambassadors arriving In WASH
ington though hitherto this has not been
Tertiary must call first, as heretofore
No requirement was made in regard TO
the wives of representatives in congress,
simply because they are not supposed TO
be in the same set with the wives OF nigh
diplomatic personages.
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 unknown to the fash-
ionable life of the capital. With senators,
however, 1t is different, and their wives,
If they choose, are pcrsonages. Their &C
quaintance is eagerly desired, and people
flock to their weekly receptions.
One of the most fashionable women In
Washington is the wife of the senior SEN
ator from Michigan, Mrs. James MCMILLAN,
who has always taken a conspicuous part
in social gayeties. Since the senator hrst
took his seat in the upper house In
1889, the Mcmillan home on Vermont ave-
nue. has been famous for its charming
hospitality. Mrs. Mcmillan enjoys the en-
viable reputation of being one OF Washing
toms most popular hostesses, and an invi-
tation to one Of her little dinners is
thing greatly to be desired.
Mrs. Charles W. Fairbanks, wife OF the
Indiana senator. has attained special dis
tinction as the president of the Society of
the Daughters of the Revolution. She
is one of the most popular women In Off
cial circles, and her palatial home on the
corner of Massachusetts avenue and Eigh-
teenth street is one of the most pleasant
houses in Washington 20 visit. The Fair
bankses hail from Indianapolis.
Mrs. Stephen Benton Elkins, daugh-
ter of ex-senator Davis, of West Virginia,
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 enter
tains magnihcently. being noted for her
hospitality both at her home on K street
and at Ellxins, in West Virginia. Her hus-
band has been a senator since 1894, having
previously occupied the position OF secre-
tarv of war under President Harrison
while before that he was a member of the
lower house for two terms.
|. Mrs. Joseph Benson Foraker is a nota-