The Washington herald., 1913-10-31
TO GIVE
, silver SERVICE
Miss Genevieve Clark, II Is
Said, VIII Select Miss
Wilson's Present.
OBJECTION BY MR.. GRAY
Indiana Representative Declares Plan
to Send Wedding Gift to Presidents
Daughter in Bad Taste.
OBJECTION BY Mr.. GRAY

Men, and especially politicians. cannot
Keep secret, Half OF Washington al
ready knows what the members Of the
House are going to give Miss Jessie
woodrow Wilson for a wedding present.
Undoubtedly It is to be o silver service
Congress runs to" silver services, and
the present occasion viii not be an ex-
ception. but the surprise win be Just as
great for the bride-elect. because no one
knows what particular kind of a silver
service she is to get. whether a tea serv-
Ice, after-dinner coffee service, or sets
OF plates. In all Of the discussions q
number OF members of the House have
argued for such things as a string OF
pearls. q necklace OF pearls, or even a
diamond sunburst. but always they have
returned TO silver.
An argument against the pearl necklace
is the fact that Mrs. John B. Henderson
owns and wore at the Dolly Madison
breakfast Dolly Madison pearl neck
lace, a magnificent example Of the
jewelers. art. 1t is a treasure in safe
keeping, but 1t long ago passed out from
among the heirs Of the most famous and
popular mistress of the White House.
Mr.. dann's Suggestion.
One Of the suggestions to come from
Representative Mann. who started the
move, Is that Miss Genevieve Clark.
daughter of the Speaker and Mrs. Champ
Clark, should go to New York and, after
looking through the leading shops, make
suggestion for the gift II was Mrs.
Champ Clark who suggested the three
dozen solid silver plates which were given
to Mrs. William Howard Taft at the
time OF her silver wedding anniversary.
Silver was presented to Mrs. Alice
Roosevelt Longworth, at the time of her
marriage: a silver service was given to
Anna Cockrel. daughter of the late
Senator Cockrell OF Missouri, at the
time OF her marriage to the Greek Min
lister. DR.. Coromilas; to the daughters
Of Senator Foraker. and upon other oc-
casions when II seemed fitting for the
House as body to make wedding pres
ents.
II also Is pointed out that a silver serv-
Ice can be inscribed in such a way as to
make IL Of historic value, and being
constantly used, will often bring to mind
the givers. No effort Is being made to
get subscriptions from any one for Miss
Wilson's gift. All donations will be spon-
taneous
Miss Genevieve Clark undoubtedly will
select the gift, and. with the advice OF
Mr.. Mann and others of the committee,
will order II engraved.
Denounced by Mr.. Gray.
Representative Gray of Indiana Great
ed q sensation yesterday by denouncing
his colleagues in the House for giving
. each TO fund. the purpose of which
Is to purchase a wedding ufeseuf for
Miss Wilson. Mr.. Gray d. larsG nc
members were getting too familiar v tt
the Presidents family."
4 think -thfs rnoVefse A. Asal
taste fnAiearaat -
assumption by members o. ,hls HOUSE."
said Mr.. Gray. II do net thiak We
should tender a trinket TO this lady.
Most Of us are strangers to her and II
is bad form for US to intrude."
Mr.. Gray suggested that the money
be turned over to charity. He said
that he had contributed his IS with the
understanding that 1t should be devoted
tc a charitable purpose. He further sug-
gested that the House might better take
oficial action in the matter by passing
a resolution congratulating Miss Wilson.
He then offered the following resolution:
whereas the marriage of the Presi-.
dents daughter. Miss Jessie Wilson, has
been announced to be celebrated In the
peoples mansion. the White House, at
en- early date; there, be il
Resolved, That the members of the
House of Representatives extend to Miss
in life's highway their heartiest con-
gratulations and well wishes as a symbol
OF the solicitude of this great nation for
the happiness and welfare of all our
people"
No Action on Resolution.
The resolution was objected to by Rep
Pou of North Carolina and
no action was taken.
Mr. Gray declared that Republican
Leader Mann was responsible for the |
plan to give Miss Wilson "a wedding
present ....- .-. e.. s..... . ~
'I want him to tell US why he did it" |
said Mr.. Gray. Let him speak not as |
a Republican. but from the standpoint |
Of Jacksonian economy and Jeffersonian |
simplicity, let him say why, we should |
do this thing"
Mr.. Mann made this reply;' -;
After hearing the gentleman from |
Indiana think 1t would be hopeless TO l
Try to put into his soul, the expression |
which, finds itself In the heart Of every |
other member of the House. Other mem- /
oers do not need to be told why"