The Washington herald., 1907-01-06

unique position in society. solitary and
distinguished one. She is the virtual
head of the Senatorial circle, taking the
lead in ali that concerns the women Of
that body and. as wife of the heir 10 the
Presidency. her role is similar 10 that Of
the consort Of the heir to throne and
she is accorded like privileges. In social
affairs she occupies much the same place
as does the wife of the President. and
is governed by the same rules of conduct
All those counted as members Of the Off
cial circle, including even ambassadors
and their wives are expected to make the
first call upon her. and she is exempt
from making calls. except those Of cere-
mony. How this privilege is used de-
ponds entirely upon the character Of the
woman concerned. Mrs. Fairbanks. for
instance. is most generous i'm the matter,
conscientious and assiduous in paying Wis
its; a fact which greatly contributes TO
her popularity.
If. as some scofers contend the duties
of the Vice President are merely sine
cures those of his wife are not. for dur
ing the season" much is expected Of her,
and she leads a strenuous life. Much
more, indeed is expected of her than of
the lady of the White House. whose ex-
allied position gives her the right OF mark
ing out her own line of conduct. though.
as a rule, she closely follows tradition,
and her duties are entirely within the
White House, while the Vice Presidents
wife is not only expected 10 assist at
ali the functions there, but TO maintain
"a weekly reception day. 20 be III evidence
at an the social affairs of an official
character. and. unless she is without am
bitiOn and wishes TO be considered ChuTl-
ish- 20 accept as many invitations Of q
private character as she can crowd into
her busy days. Then. too. she is con-
sJantly called upon To participate in char
table movements. and to contribute 70
them both her money and her time II
must. truly. seem 90 her at times that
the glory of her position hardly commpen-
safes for the hard and e&acting work IL
entails.
The members Of the Cabinet and their
wives comprise the Presidents official
family. and, whether grudgingIy or un-
grudgingly. society an the Capital has
come TO give the lead to the women OF
the Cabinet and 90 take its cue from
their initiative. This statement might be
disputed, and is open TO discussion, but
the fact remains. and the reasons are
obvious. The Presidents advisers share
his social. as well as his administrative
responsibilities. and the ambition to make
his administration a success in all ways.
their wives naturally cooperating wher-
ever they can. moreover. there is great
esprit de corps among the Cabinet a
quality which. together with the small
ness of their number enables them TO act
together in perfect harmony. and the
women Of that body are the able and
accomplished coadjutors Of the Presi-
dents wife in all social affairs.
II viii De seen. therefore. that the most
difficult role IN society is that of Cabi-
net minister's wife. It's duties RESPONSE
biiiries, and ezactions are SO great that
L. succeed in il a woman must have
perfect health. a knowledge Of social
ethics. and the tact thar enables her to
master every situation, last and most
important there must be wealth at har
command great wealth. for it is impossi-
BILE for a Cabinet woman to support a
CrediJable establishment, and To entertain
in manner consistent with her hus-
bands position. ou the meager salary al
lowed him. a subject that has been too
frequently and ably reviewed 20 need ex-
plotting here.
Too much cannot be said Of the grace.
the charm. and the excellent common
sense of the women who have at one
time OF another occupied Cabinet posi-
tiOus The expression Cabinet position"
is used advIsedly, for the wife of Cabi-
net officer has quite as important a posi-
tiou as her husband. She has AT times
destroyed Cabinets and divided parties,
reconciled enemies, and prevented de
struction. With nearly. if not quite as
much power and influence as her husband.
with more tact and intuition and less
reverence for traditions. she has been "A
power 20 be recAoned with and concilIat-
"a since the time of Abigail Adams with
her Puritan standards. and Peggy O'NeiI
with her Bohemian ones. It is rare that
a woman of the Cabinet has failed 70 meet
the obligations imposed upon her By her
position, which is the more remarkable
since Cabinet ministers have often sprung
suddenly from obscurity into public prom
inence. and their wives have come from
every walk in life The few exceptions
recorded have been due 70 the sin of
omission. rather than commission. and
have always been good naturedly ex-
cused-
Mrs. Fish, the wife of President Grants
Secretary of State, viii always stand as
"a model for women in official life. Dis
tingUished by birth and education. she
brought with her To the Capital d rare
charm and gentleness. united with social
wisdom, knowledge, and executive ability.
No one ever left her presence without
feeling happier. and those who knew her
tell many stories, illustrating her tact
OF genius would. perhaps. be a better
word-for dealing with an sorts and
conditions Of men and women with whom
her official position brought her in con-
tact One afternoon, an old lady rustic.
who happened to be visiting in town. was
taken by her friends TO call upon the
wife of the Secretary of State Mrs.
Fish, always most cordial to strangers.
after talking with her amiably for a mo-
ment pressed her guest to go into the
dining-rOOm, where she was generously
served. Upon finishing her refreshments.
the venerable visitor returned to her
hostess. VINO smiiingly excused herself
20 the foreign minister with whom she
was chatting and turned 10 her 10 say
good-by Grasping Mrs. Fish by both
hands. the old lady thanked her for her
beautiful visit" and then said:
Now. Mrs Fish. want TO ask you to
DO something for me. I want you to give
r4e the recipe for your fruit cake. It's
a sight better than mine, and I used
the recipe nay grandmother brought with
her from England. It's been handed
D Ella. f,-rf1,r for r-1---,