, 1861-04-04
SCENE IN THE WHITE HOUSE,.
The Californ1anH and the pfesident-
Il Jacksonfan Demonstration.

WAsHISnTos, Marrh 81, 1851.
An interesting affair occurred ut the White
House. In Washington, on Saturday last, the
particulars Of which ara - follows: The day
previous, the President had extended an invi-
1a:ion to the Californians in Washington to
visit him on the following morning at nine
O'Clock.
1t seems that the Cai1ornians In Washington
are divided into Baker" and 'antl Baker"
factions; the former consisting Of the friends
ex-senator Baker Of Oregon, some Of whom he
is recommending for office, and the latter be.
IN, made up Of those who are left out III the
cold" and are not recommended by Col. B7ker.
The t'antis," having heard Of the Residential III
S!tation, held meeting at the rooms Of Mr.
Rankin, prom inent candidate fer collector Of
the port OF San Francisco, on Friday evening,
and agreed upon prote st which all present
signed, against Colonel Baker being allowed
auy voice or influence in the control of the
California patronage, and st the same time re-
commencing that the President be guided by
the decision Of a committee Of their own
number. Two spokesmen were appointed to
address the President on the following day in
behalf Of the "antis"-Messrs. Joseph A.
Nunes and ]. ". 5imonton-and the meeting
then adjourned.
Punc1ua1ly at the hour named on Saturday
morning the company were assembled in the
east room OF the White House, and were soon
invited to walk up into the Pcesident'a room.
Having been received by "Cncle Abe" Mr.
Nune:, in set speech, proceeded to address
bi1n. Having concluded, Mr.. J. IT. Slmonton
Was introduced, and proceeded to read writ
ten speech, which is said to have baen, by
those who heard it, one Of the most bitter,
aud at the same time absurd, productions ever
heard in the White House He has become
the bitter opponent Of Senator Baker, and re.
sorted to this wsy Of iDjuring him with the
President. - :s
Having concluded his TRADE Of abuse, the
President said: :"Aze those documents to be
lett with met" Yea, Mr. President" re-
sponded slmonton, ''If you desire them =
aad handed him the protest. And the other
also ~ says Uncle Abe, pointing to the speech,
tam to have that also sh Yes, u tremu-
louEly responded Slmonton, "if 5ou desire 1t,
Mr. President, but I would like to make some
emcndations'' "Neyer mind the emenda-
tiops,'' says Lincoln; If it Is mine want it
rs it is"
By this time the paper had found its Fny
into the extended hand Of the President, who,
stretching himself up to his fullest height.
said, in Z whitening tone of indignation,
This paper alIuding to the protest, " being
keep; bu. this one,n shaking aloft simonton,s
speech, II " Il show yon what viii do with
it." Stepping forward Two or three PAGES to-
ward the fire, he said, ~ wil burn 1t, y and,
suiting the action to the word, he thrust it
into the glowing enbers, md soon 1t Was re-
duccd to smoke and ashes. Stepping back to
his PLACE BY the desk, he added: -r
II have known Colonel Baker longer and:
better than any Of you here, and these attacks
upon him know to be. autrageeps. ! will
hear no more Of them. Hyou Wish to do 80,
present your: for ofhce, and
I will give them O respectful hearing, but no
more Of this kind Of proceeding"
The dignifed presence Of the President OF
the United States, or the character of the
place in which they were assembled, did not
prevent the CalifornIans present-save and
except the dumb-atrick professors from
bursting out into uproarions cheering snd
clapping Of bands, which resounded through
the passage-ways Of the White House with 8
resonance, waking echoes strange, at least
for Presidential mansion.