The Washington herald., 1908-06-21

~ ELDOM. If ever before. have wom-
~ en- been feature OF national
convention OF the United States,
as they have been at the one
Just closed in Chicago. They have been.
too the wives. daughters. sisters. and
mothers Of the most distinguished men
OF the land
The wives. daughters mothers. and
sisters Of other distinguished men Of this
country will play a still more prominent
part in the coming convention in Denver
when the Democratic nominee for the
Presidency -lIl be made. Many Of these
viii be there as delegates. to cast their
vote for the nominee. and to have a
voice in the framing Of a platform for
which he will stand. This is indeed many
steps toward the attainment Of the late
Miss Anthonys lifes desire for which
she did such effective work. In the
capacity of a delegate TO the convention
Mrs. Ruth Bryan Leavitt already known
as q brainy and brilliant young woman.
her vote for the nomination Of her father.
William Jennings Bryan in the conven-
tlon which. IL is believed. will nominate
him TO run against the Secretary Of War.
Hon. William II. Taft
1t is the women concerned in these
nominations who interest Washington just
now. more than the men. There Is so
much OF interest published here Of Mrs.
Taft that u seems as though there were
little 20 say. But. ike the proverbial
omnibus. which always has room for one
more, there is space. and there are al
ways readers for more" about the
women in the families Of the public men,
or otherwise great men.
Should Mrs Taft be the fortunate lady
upon whom the halo Of first lady" viii
fall. there will appear 10 be little change
in the social aspect of the White House.
Less rigid observance OF formdlities will
probably be noticed. and the personnel
Of the intimates will. Of course. be
changed. New York will be less promi-
nent. and Cincinnati Will come right 10
the front. The army will also be promi-
nent IN the list OF the close friends OF
the President and his family. owing 70
the long stay of Secretary Taft and his
family IN the Philippines. II was there
that very close, warm. and lasting
friendship sprang up between Mrs. Car
llngton. wife OF Gen. Darlington. Of the
General Staff OF the army. Mrs. CARING
ton was the only other woman in addi-
tion to Mrs. Taft who was present IN
Secretary Taft's Office on that eventful
Thursday when they read the kilograms
apprising them Of the doings of the Chi
cago convention. and which resulted so
happily to the little party.
Mrs. Sherman. wife OF the running
mate of the Secretary OF War, IS not
so we'll known in Washington as Mrs
Taft. although her husband has spent
many more consecutive winters here
than Mr.. Taft has. Mrs. Sherman, dur
ing the greater part Of that time has
been n their Utica home. looking to the
heath and education OF their little fam
ily Last winter society saw more Of
her than 10 had ever previously done.
Their apartment IN the New Willard was
q rendezvous for New York people es-
peciany. and official people In general.
Mrs. Sherman entertained charmingly
during the season and gave a number
OF luncheons, which were among the I'M
portant events Os the winter for women.
Mrs. Sherman has the delightful, gift Of
knowing how To meet people and how
20 make the uneasy ones feel easy. an
indispensable accomplishment 10 the wife
of a public man, II she wishes 10 be OF
any help 20 her spouse. An unfortunate
ard uncompromising manner In a woman
has been known to lose many a vote for
her husband when he is set up as a can
didate. Now that the children are well
grown. Mrs. Sherman is spending more
time in Washington during the winters
than she has ever done before. She IS
small and very attractive, with a bright,
happy. and ready smile. and the gentle
art OF knowing how 70 dress we'll. Rep
resentative and Mrs. Sherman have never
maintained a home IN Washington. other
than an apartment.
Mrs, Bryan, wife Of the probable Demo
cratic nominee. and who may become
the next mistress Of the White House-it
all depends upon how the cards fall-is
known in Washington by a comparatively
small circle. Therefore. she would come
almost as a stranger to Washington So
clety. which so often has known its
leader we'll IN more private life. Mrs.
Bryan is a brainy woman and she is n
woman who has won social success. She
was In Washington when Mr.. Bryan
served his State as q Representative in
Congress. but she did not at that time 90
IN for society, as her children were all
quite young and her duties in the nur-
sery were considered first. those Of the
drawing-room coming second. Mrs. Bryan
has n charmingly frank and gracious
manner and her fine eyes reflect the
pleasure she feels in meeting people.
She, as well as Mrs. Taft, will present
daughter TO society within the next two
years One OF these. either Miss Helen
Taft or Miss Grace Bryan. both still in
school. is almost sure TO make her first
bow TO the formal social world in the
White House. Miss Taft will return TO
her studies az Bryn Mawr next fall and
Miss Bryan 20 hers in Hollins Institute.
in Virginia, under any circumstances.
Mrs. Johnson, wife Of Gov John A.
Johnson. Of Minnesota is less known in
Washington than any Of the women men
toned She made almost her first visit
hero this spring. when she accompanied
Coy. johnson for the governors council