Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-14
Widows in Congress.

The appointment OF Mrs. Hattie Car
away to fill the seat made vacant by
the death of her husband, the late Sen
ator Thaddeus H. Caraway. gives the
Senate its first active woman member.
Only once before In the history of the
Senate has a woman become member
and then it was only for day or two
and as a measure of courtesy. Mrs. Re-
becca Latimer FELTON, was appointed TO
the Senate to fill vacancy caused by
the death of Senator Tom" Watson
back in 1922. Before she had an oppor-
tunity to take the seat, however. the
Democrats of Georgia had elected Sem
ator Walter r. George. For day after
the Senate reconvened Senator George
withheld the presentation of himself
to take the oath of office and Mrs. Eel
ton had the rather empty honor of oc-
cupying Senate seat during that time,
Other women have sought election to
the Senate, but without success, The
first woman to serve as member of
the House, Miss Jeanette Rankin Of
Montana. after single term in that
body, entered the race for the Repubn-
can nomination for the Senate and was
defeated. Miss Rankin was elected to
the House in 1916, Mrs Ruth Hanna
Mccormick made a. strong bid for the
senatorial election in Illinois last year,
winning the Republican nomination,
but suffering defeat at TIA hands Of
Senator James Hamilton Lewis in the
election.
But now Mrs. Caraway. as the politi-
cal heir of her husband, is to serve in
the Upper House of Congress, which
until the present time has in effect
been for men only. Arkansas has been
kind to widowed members of Congress
in the past. MRS. William Oldfield was
elected to the House to represent the
second Arkansas district after her hus-
band had died. and more recently Mrs.
Wingo, widow of the late Representative
Otis Wingo was elected In the fourth
district. Mrs. Oldfield has voluntarily
retired from the House. although Mrs.
Wingo is to serve in the coming Con-
gress. Gov. 'Parnell Of Arkansas, who
has appointed Mrs. Caraway to Ill the
Senate seat. has announced his support
of the election of Mrs, Caraway to fill
the unexpired term Of the late Senator,
which closes March 3. 1888. at the con-
clusion Of the present Congress. The
special election to fill this unexpired
term Is to be held January II. Nom
inatien. which is equivalent to election,
will be made by the State Democratic
Committee. and If the committee falls
in with the suggestion Of the Governor
1t will select Mrs. Caraway. She might,
of course, decline to become a candidate
for election. although that appears UNI
likely since she is reported to have ac-
cepted appointment.
Public office In the United States is
not hereditary. Now, 1t appears, a
congressional ONCE is to be regarded as
part Of the estate dead membAr of
Congress passes en- to his widow. With
out in any way attempting to reflect
upon the qualifications and abilities Of
Mrs. Caraway to hold the senatorial
office to which she is now appointed, it
must be said that the placing Of q
widow in Office merely because her hus-
hand held 1t is sentimental action
which might well become unfair to the
constituents of the appointee and to the
whole country. Widowed members OF
the House who have been elected to sue
coed their husbands have proved their
worth as legislators. Nevertheless, the
practice of making congressional office
an asset which may be handed on to the
widow Of dead Senator or Representa-
tive is not sound or in the interest Of
the people.
The Governor of New Jersey has still
to appoint successor to the late Sena-
tor Dwight w. Morrow. The selection
of Mrs Morrow to fill the vacant seat
Of her late husband has been suggested.
II the New Jersey Governor followed
such advice and Mrs. Morrow were
willing to accept, the Senate might have
two women Senators when that body
convenes December 7.