Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-06-06
An HOUR IN THE EPRESEDETS
ns RECEPTION ROOM.
WAsHINeroN.M Z n Dl,L ! NAV ~ 1sI

An HUI Is IN III Il EffSESEBEGfS y
as RECEPTION ROOM
.',i1 - WAsHINGFoN, May "a, 1872
To the Editor the eohiostats Journal: isos
,1 On entering the White House one'is
struck with the cheapness of the build
ing and the lack of decoration, Turn
ing to your left after passing the, outer
door, you are met by the usher with,
isP|ease step into the reception room
up stairs-first door to your right" In
the reception room you hand your card
to colored usher, who vanishes. In a
short time s'The President will see Mr..
R.v is called from a door at the rear,
and you are Immediately escorted to
the office of the President of the Unit
ed States-a room about forty feet
sqilare, with walls and ceiling frescoed
in excellent taste; on the left side afire
place with dark marble mantle, glass,
nicely mounted clock, etc. In front
fyou, in the rear of the room, two win
dows with outlook over the Potomac,
showing green fields, sparkling. water
and the distant city of Alexandria, the
damask curtains forming a rich red
border to a beautiful scene. On your
right two or three sofas and some COM
fortable arm chairs, trimmed in, brown
silk, a map stand, etc. Atable covered
with blue cloth surrounded by eight
chairs, finished in brown leather, under
chandelier in the centre of the room,
furnishes the President and Cabinet
with desk room. At the head of the
tablea medium sized man with a full
Beard, and dressed in black, using a
common pen, and an ordinary glass
inkstand, with a much used blotter,
which rests on pile of plain cards, and
a we'll worn led pencil. d3efq H
Good morning, sir,n is the salutation
as you enter-spoken in good, round
Saxon-as the President of the United
states rises and extends his hand ''Be
seated" AS there are three others in
the room, the proffered seat is taken
and your casual waits his turn: The
first visitor walks to the table, and
takes a seat to the right of the Presi-
dent. q.
81 am from st. Louis, for some time
connected with the ------ paper, an
agricultural paper, and for many years
identified with the agricultural inter-
ests of the State of Missouri. Not be-
ing advised as to the method, I wrote
you some weeks ago asking an appoint
ment in the consular service at pointI
where I could gain some knowledge for
the agricultural cause, etc. enclosed
my recommendations to you at the
time of writing" : f.'
eyes; I remember. You are Mr..
P, Of st. Louis. I referred them
to Governor Fish, and was much i'm
pressed by them. You are recon-
mended by Mr.. ------ Mr.. . and
Mr.. -
eyes, Mr.. President. 1 would like
an appointmentin Russia or in the Ar
gentine Confederation. I am used TO
cattle and the breeding Of them" /,
The President then entered into a.
conversation with him on cattle in gem
eral, and showed thorough knowledge
of the subject, much to the surprise of.
the applicant, who finally stated that
he was a graduate Of Dartmouth and
not an Office seeker by profession.
"Are you acquainted with Governor
Fish % said the President. ''No."
(Writing on card y "Well, to-mor-
row being Cabinet day, Iwill speak to
Governor Fish about your case. You
can see him in the meantime. Il have
said to him on this card, 'sThis will in
troduce Mr.. - -, = who is an applicant
for Cousulship, etc." Take this to
Governor Fish, at the State Depart 4
ment.n sae.a i.9al .l., '',','' ~ g.. IN
i"When shall cali again?" iadi ssaI
"Cail tomorrow at q o'clock, after
1 have seen Governor Fish. Good
morning. and the. Missourian bowed
himself out, and the President was
ready for the next. who came. forward
and took the chair Just vacated, He
was negro. His head looked like an
enlarged oven, and as knotty as red
oak. He was dressed in the shabby
genteel manner, with flaming red
neck-tie. The President gave him
long, searching look, and found what
he was, then settled himself back in
his chair for siege. ol 3ai4e 4. 4
"Mr. President, lam anative ofWest-
minister, England, a graduate Of Cam
bridge and a barrister in the English
courts, also short hand reporter. I
came to Halifax, and found but little to
do. Came to Boston, staid twoyesrs In
the practice, and found two colored law
yers there whowere doing the business.
AS am not and could not becOme a
citizen Of the United States, / was not
popular. I then came to Washington
and obtained employment as short
hand reporter with Mr.. Miller on the
"Giobe," Then I worked for Mr..
Summer; then for Mr.. Douglass, who
published paper in the interest Of the
colored man, and now am out of work
and destitute. ! have heard, sir, of
your kindness and charity othe people