The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-16

Taft has been conspicuous for the
readiness with which she disposes of
affairs which directly concern her.
In her own home she is much the
same as any other American woman
would be. If she happens to be near
the telephone and the bell rings, she
answers 1t herself.
She has an old-fashioned custom,
and delightful one, of accompanying
her visitors to the front door when
they are calling informally. and in
many other little ways she demon
strates that the routine Of official and
social duties has in no way changed
her feminine tendencies nor her ideas
of life within her own home circle.
Mrs. Taft has no fad. She says fads
take time, and do not accord well with
J social and official duties. But she has
many fancies, all of which are of a
practical nature, and she INDUCES them
faithfully. One of these is music. Mrs.
Taft before coming to Washington was
one of the conspicuous figures in musi-
cal affairs in Cincinnati. She was pres
ident of the Cincinnati Symphony Or
chestra, and was affiliated with many
of the most prominent musical organi-
cations in that city. 49,
Mrs. Roosevelt is fond of music, and
has given several notable. nlusicales
during her residence at the White
House, but she is not the practical
musician that Mrs. Taft is. Should Mr.
Taft succeed to the presidency the mu-
sicians who play in future at the White
House will find their hostess a keen
critic.
Another of Mrs. Taft's greatest in
terests is charities She is deeply in
terested in philanthropic work, al
though only her intimate friends know
of the material results.
Before the appointment of James r.
Garfield to be secretary of the interior
Mrs. Taft was the youngest hostess in
the cabinet circle, and is still looked on
as it's leader. Mrs. Taft is an ideal
hostess. First of all, she has the. happy
faculty of making everybody feel at
home. She has the gift of starting a
little group chatting about subject
in which they soon gecome interested.
only to find their hostess doing the
same pretty duty to the next group. a.
| Mrs Taft is particularly popular with
members of the younger set, because
she not only gives the impression that
she is, but is in reality, deeply inter
ested In their affairs. She chats about
the next big ball with the debutantes
and turns from them to statesman
with his pet hobby on the tip of her
| tongue Mrs. Taft reads necessarily,
| and consequently keeps abreast of the
| simes and the world of literature.
| One of the things she most dislikes
! is to be photographed. Mrs. Taft free
ly acknowledges that this Is one of her
| real troubles. If cabinet hostess
does not have a new picture every now
| and again the public becomes dissat-
isfied and women in the official set
| find it almost as imperative to sit for
| a picture every few months as to dis
pense the routine duties of their posi-
| tons.
| Should Mrs. Taft become the next
mistress of the White House she will
| not take up the reins of the highest
social position in the country without
having already had a near-taste OF
White House life. Mrs. Taft's father
| was the law partner OF Presldenl
Hayes, and the chief executive held
Mrs Taft very close to his heart. She
spent the greater part of eacn year 81
the White House, although she was
little more than fodder at the time
Her keenest delight was IN the I'M
nromptu suppers which always fol-
| lowed state receptions at the White
House. These were served in the pri
vate apartments Of the president, and
were strikingfy homelike. The little
visitor was never permitted even {
neep below stairs, but she became
thoroughly at home in the executive
mansion, and few years have passed
| since that Mrs. Taft has not been more
| or less in the White House. % -.
family will divide it's time between
their home and some of the coast re
sorts where Secretary Taft may play
| golf and otherwise enjoy himself. Thi:
| means, undoubtedly, that even if Sec
rotary Taft contemplates a campaign
tour, it will not begin until after hi
has had a thorough rest from offlcia
duties. Mrs. Taft will probably heal
some of the secretary's campaign
speeches, but will not travel with hel
husband.
Notes and Personal Mention.
Dr.. and Mrs. w. N West who ar,
travelling in the British Isles anf
Twisting DR.. Vests people in England