The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-06

tiyes term after term are the States that
really control the affairs Of the country
Maine, for instance. whose Representa-
tives practically hold their Office for life
or during good behavior has always had
a political power and influence out OF
proportion to her actual importance in
the Congress Of States, which is also true
OF Rhode Island and Iowa
Usually Bring PreJudices.
The new member usually comes to
Washington with many prejudices. many
wrong opinions, and much misinforma-
ton. but he has carefully studied the life
here and feels abundantly equipped TO
meet every situation. He has heard in
teresting. if yellow. tales Of the lobbyists
in Washington, how they haunt the halls
Of Congress. how they lay In wait for and
button-hole new members. and how the
feminine members Of the Third House"
as the lobby was formerly called. lure
him to champagne suppers and other at
tractive and insiduous designations He is.
accordingly on his guard against this
gentry, assumes an austere and forbid
ding bearing 10 well intentioned men who
call on him at the House and feels rather
disappointed if the hashy women. he has
been led TO expect. would dog his foot
steps, do not appear so that he might
send them about their business He re-
CARDS every woman he meets In the cor
rldors OF the Capitol during the first few
days he is there with suspicion, and if
handsomely dressed woman. who may be
the wife or daughter Of a fellOW-member
or a Senator, looks az him intelIigeaty
he SHES 10 one side and seeks refuge in
the first open door that offers a retreat.
II is some time before he learns that
women lobbyists belong 10 the past and
that he Is not liable to become the prey
OF designing feminines-
But If II IS hard 70 learn the official
ropes il is no less difficult for a new
member 70 learn the social ways Of life
in Washington and to adapt himself to
new conditions. II he is stubborn and
pig-headed, he refuses 70 adjust himself
10 another standard than that which ex-
lists at Green Pastures. for he asserts
with much hyperboIe that what was good
enough for him al home is good enough
for him here, and he viii not conform.
IT he is brilliant, epigrammatc, and sharp
witted, society laughs at his ecceuricities
and amiably allows him 10 come TO din
ner in his frock coat and white string
tie; but II he is duh and tiresome,
society shTugs her shoulders, calls him
bore. and will have none OF him
Hard 10 shine in Society.
There is nothing that more astonishes
/ q new member than the scant attention
paid 10 him by society on his first ap-
pearance I'm its salons. Rich men have
| been known TO have themselves elected
[ to Congress because of the social pres
/ tige the position is supposed 10 confer.
( but those vino count upon il are newt
ably disappointed. There are too MANY
members Of Congress for all Of them to
shine equally. and those who attain So
| cal Importance do IL through their own
/ personalities,
/ Not many years ago a Western million.
aire was elected to Congress. adopting
as he thought. the surest and quickest
/ way 10 attain in the social world a posi-
ton equal 10 that accorded 10 him in tie
world Of finance. His agents took big
house for him IN the fashionable part Of
/ the town, he sent on his horses, motor
! carriages. a corps Of servants. and came
I prepared to carry society by storm. but,
! lacking something. either tact or kuowl-
edge OF the world. or adaptahility. ne
and his ambitious family did not make a
ripple in the social pond. and before his
term was up he folded his tents and
silently stole away. refusing a reelection
and shaking forever the dust Of Wash
| inEtOn from his feet
/ Taken. all in all, however. life in Wash
/ iueton Is a great ciyilizer. and slowly in
some instances. quickly in others. but
/ surely in all events. the raw and callow
/ specimens who came 10 the Capital adopt
/ the conventions Of its society. Sometimes
/ the conversions are only temporary, and
/ the converted once lapse back on their
return to Green Pastures 10 their original
state, but oftener they are lasting. and
! they Join the great society OF citizens OF
| the world who are at home everywhere,
/ in all chimes. and in every society.
/ The annoyance and discipline TO which
new Congressman is subjected in Wash