Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-06
LOCAL NEWS.
The Scramble for the Message.

Rich SceHcs al tAe Wade Reconsideration Gyn-
ndstics- Ground and Lofty TaablIs0 by ne Press
Gang.
The scramble at the White House yesterday
for the Presidents message was ahead Of any
thing ever seen. In fact il was rich. IL was
announced thatsix copies would be delivered nj
q quarter past one o'clock-one 20 each, the
Associated and American Press, and one to
each OF the reporters OF the four daily papers
here. The preparations for running the docu-
ment TO the various city Offices were quietly
made, and, each supposed. without the
knowledge OF the other. As early a. II O'Clock.
Bohemisns s"armed on the White House por-
uco, and one by one wen led their way 10 the
waiting room, all cycling around to discover
and check the preparations made BY Others
for early publication. rHE STARS Pegasus
c.vOit anxious style up and down the 10 ad-
way west OF the Treasury. The Parrot had a
hackney carriage. The Republican had the pro
Prietor's black team, and the ChronioIe rested
It's boPes solely on "shauk's mare The Asso-
ciated Press and the American Press took IL
easy, as they we're allowed I'VE minutes start OF
the locals. Tn e maneuvering and secret con-
fsos were worthy OF the genius OF Won MOltke
or Pallsdine, bat there wasn't a carrier pigeon
or balloon within forty miles. About one
O'Clock the reporters became springy in the
feet, and considerable uneasiness was noticed in
the RepUbiiooH caucus, which finally led to
little Pills" being sent on a cavalry raid, In
order to be even with the equestrian of The
STAR. AT one and quarter O'Clock General
Dent emerged from the Presidents Office with
the desired missive. Father Gobright, of
course was served first. and no one would have
dreamed that he belonged 20 the order of Jo-
seph IL they had seen his display of agility
Down The steps he few, and striking a straight
eost-tsil, wss relayed by Jim Holland ontside.
Clark. OF the American Press, was of like a
shot with his copy. Five minutes had We locals
to tarIy. General Dent was inexorable
but when the time was UP there was
a grab, and then-!ook at lem. THE STAR re-
porter made out the front door, and down TO the
west Treasury fountain, where a skiful rider
was mounted in waiting. Murtagh rushed TO
the eastern second story window, below which
Arthur Shepherd was posted, with a man or
The basement pOrticO, in case the document
dropped there ia its descent. "Shep" made
dive as the envelope went TO grass, and to grass
he went too, losing about a minute and a half
he was up in a jiffy though, and arrived at
the fountain above mentioned to see TIE
STAR horse just putting in his first ticks
Then there wa fun! An unceremonious send
of was obtained, and both went kiting round
the south front OF the Treasury, the STAR horse
going out the gate in the lead and reaching the
STAR ONCE in the twinklng OF an eve, with the
EeoHblicdn plug three lengths astern. Time,
l.:'5. Ii was the event of the day. The en-
ployes Of the White House watched the race till
out of sight, and from the start to the turn
around the south Treasury front, the Treasury
girls waved handkercbiefs TO the STAR horse in
a fash and down the avenue he went In a
kneeling attitude on the front seat, beseeching
the driver "for Heavens sake to 20 faster
Saville walked OFF TO the Chronicle Office with
becoming dignity, resolved not TO publish till
morning. And SO where all was hustle hut a
few moments before grave yard stiffness soon
prevailed.