This was the first of a twopart program, you can view this and all other american artifacts programs at her website, cspan. Org history. Each week American History tvs american artifacts visits museums and historic places. Up next we take you inside thes house wing of the u. S. Capital to learn about the history of women in congress. And second of a twoFarar Elliott program we continue the story beginning in the 1940s with republican congresswomen Clare Boothe Luce. Im Farar Elliott curateor for the house of representatives, which means i take care of the artwork and objects that document the houses rich heritage. Im Matthew Wasniewski and historian at the house. And my job is to collect biographical information on members, to gather data and historic lists, and to con dpdu oral histories. We reference questions in our office that come from on the hill and off the hill. And we try to tell the story of the house, which is this very big, very Old Institution in a way in which people can
Im the historian at the house. And my job is to collect biographical information on members, gather lists and to conduct oral histories. We answer reference questions in our office that come from on the hill and off the hill and we try to tell the story of the house which is this very big, very Old Institution in a way in which people can kind of connect with it at a human level. We do that through telling biographical stories or clips from oral histories that give people kind of a human sense of a very large institution. And today we thought we would try and do that with you by telling you about the history of women in congress which is a history that dates back to the early 20th century. This is a nifty piece of campaign femora. Its Clare Boothe Luce memorabilia. And Clare Boothe Luce would have been the republican counterpart of helen douglas. She was well known to the general public. Her career really had started as a writer and editor. She later married henry luce, the founder of
The most intelligent president s we have ever had. I mean, he is up there in the top half dozen. And when we go through his life, by the end of it, or the middle of it, youre going to start laughing because youre just going to say no, that cant be, he cant be that good in that field, its just not possible. And then well find something else. And youre going to say, no, he is just incredibly bright. And the hope for his presidency was enormous. And so were going to discuss an absolutely brilliant human being. I was chatting with a friend before. And he asked me if i thought garfield was the most intelligent. Its i dont know how you test Something Like that. Its not as if you give president s iq tests. Its a lot easier with things that are easy to measure. Tall and short. I mean, we all know that madison was our shortest president , lincoln was our tallest president. Thats easy. I dont know how you know who the most intelligent. Certainly the two adams, jefferson, madison, lincoln. Garfie
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Lower the microphones. I cant. I have to have them up where i can see. Im sorry that the microphones are in your way but they have to be where they are because i have to be able to see what im doing, as im always able to see what im doing. [ applause ] i cant tell you how very much i appreciate the honor which youve just conferred upon me. I shall continue to try to deserve it. [ applause ] i accept the nomination. I want to thank this convention for its unanimous nomination of my good friend and colleague senator barkley of kentucky. Hes a great man and a great public servant. Senator barkley and i will win this election and make these republicans like it. Dont you forget that. Well do that because they are wrong and were right, and ill prove it to you in just a few minutes. This convention met to express the will and reaffirm the beliefs of the Democratic Party. There have been differences of opinion, and thats the demo
[ cheers and applause ] thank you, thank you. Thank you. [ cheers and applause ] thank you. Thank you. Please. Thank you. Thank you very much. Im sorry that the microphones are in the way. They have to be where they are because i have to see what im doing. As i always am able to see what im doing. [ cheers and applause ] i cant tell you how very much i appreciate the honor, which you just conferred upon me. I shall continue to try to deserve it. [ cheers and applause ] i accept the nomination. [ cheers and applause ] and i want to thank this convention for its unanimous nomination of my good friend and colleague, senator barkley of kentucky. Hes a great man and a great public servant. Senator barkley and i will win this election and these republicans like it, dont you forget that. [ cheers and applause ] we will that because they are wrong and we are right, and i will prove it to you in just a few minutes. [ cheers and applause ] this convention met to express the will and reaffirm the