The Portland daily press., 1872-06-18
An Hour Wcth the President.

state journal the following description OF 1t:
WASHINGTON, May "a, 1872.
On entering the White House one is struck
with the cheapness of the building and lack
of decoration. Turning to your left after
passing the outer door you are met by an
usher with "Please step into the reception
room-up-stairs-firs door to your right"
In the reception room you hand your card to
a colored usher, who vanishes. In short
time ''the President will see Mr.. p" is called
from door at the rear, and you are immedi-
ately escorted to the office of the President of
the United States-a room about forty feet
square, with walls and ceiling frescoed in ex-
cellent taste; on the left side fireplace with
dark marble mantel, glass, nicely mounted
clock, etc. In front Of you, in the rear of the
room, two windows which overlooks over the
Potomac, showing the green fields, sparkling
water, and the distant city of Alexandria, the
damask curtains forming rich red border to
beautiful scene. On your right, two or
three sofas and some comfortable arm-chairs,
trimmed in brown silk, map stand, etc. A
table covered with blue cloth, surrounded by
eight chairs, finished in brown leather, under
chandelier in the centre of the room, fur
nishes the president and cabinet with desk
room. At the head of the table a medium
sized man with full beard, and dressed in
black, using common pen and an ordinary
glass inkstand, with a much used blotter,
which rests on pile of plain cards, and well
worn lead pencil.
Good morning, sir,' 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 prof.
cred seat is taken and your casual waits his
turn. The first visitor walks to the table,
talks a seat to the right OF the President
Il am from st. Louis, for some time con-
nected with the-paper, an agricultural
paper, and for many years identified with the
agricultural interests of the State of Missouri.
Not being advised as to the method, l wrote
you some weeks ago asking an appointment
IN the consular service, at point where l
could gain some knowledge for the agricultur-
al cause, &c. inclosed my recommends
tons to you at the time of writing"
Eyes; l remember. You are Mr.. p, of
st. Louis. L referred them to Governor Fish
and was much impressed with them. You
arc recommended by Mr., Mr., and
M"
eyes, Mr.. President. would like an ap-
pointment in Russia, or in the Argentine
confederation. l am used to cattle and the
breeding of them" ..-
The president then entered into aconversa-
ton with him on cattle in general, and show
ed thorough knowledge on the subject, much
to the surprise OF the applicant, who finally
stated that he was graduate of Dartmouth
and not an Office seeker by profession.
Are you acquainted with Governor Fish ?'
said the president. mo" writing on a
card "Wel, tomorrow being cabinet day,
L will speak to Governor Fish about your
case. You can see him in the mean time.
l have said to him on this card: ssThis will
introduce Mr., who is an applicant for a a
consulship," &c. Take this to Governor
Fish, at the state department >,
when shall 1 call again P''
'Call tomorrow at 1-2 O'Clock after
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 seat 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 man
ner, with flaming red Reckte. The presi-
dent gave him long, searching look, and
saw what he was; then settled himself back
in his chair for siege.
Mr. President, am native of Westmin-
ster, England, a graduate of Cambridge, and
barrister in the English courts, also a short
hand reporter. came to Halifax, and found
but little to do. Came to Boston, staid two
years in the practice, and found two colored
lawyers there who were doing the business.
AS L am not and could not become a citizen
OF the United States, was not popular /
then come to Washington and obtained en-
ployment as a shorthand reporter with Mr..
Miller on the Globe. Then worked for Mr..
Sumner, then for Mr.. Douglass, who pub
fishes paper in the interest of the colored
man, and now l am out of work and desti
tute L have heard, sir, of your kindness and
charity to the people of my race, and 1 come
to you to see if you could not suggest some
thing for me-"
Yes, have the same interest in your peo-
pie that have in other citizens of the United
States. Have you been to the Howard Uni
versityT' inquired the President.
Yes, sir; but they did nothing for me''
Have you been to see Mr.. Colfax ? He
takes great interest in your people,"
eyes, sir" replied the colored man. ssbut
he can do nothing for me-"
'Well, what can do?'
You don't seem to understand me, Mr..
President. am out of means, and YOU are
said to be very charitable"
II am as charitable as l can be,'' said the
President.
Yes, know you are, and the slightest pc
cunlary AID Will be of the greatest help to
me.'
eff were to give to all who ask from me. I
could soon expend large fortune"
Yes; but, Mr.. President, you don't seem
to understand the situation. l am entirely
out of money!
Il generally confne my charity to such as
have family"
''Mr. President, have wife and interest
ing children"
Met at every point, the President drew his
pocket-book and gave the fellow a greenback.
and then the colored gentleman for the first
time took his eyes from the Presidents face.
He carefully folded the.pote, brushed his di-
lapidated beaver with his elbow, put the bill
in his pocket and made for the door, saving
as he departed, with the flourish of a Beau
Brummell: ''Mr. President, shall never for
get your kindness-never, s'hep me God
Good morning."
''Good day, SIR" the President remarked,
as he turned to meet the next visitor who
was young boy, with rosy cheeks and bright
eyes.
II have been turned out of West Point,
Mr.. President. l want to get back (he had
failed in his class examination) and came to
you to know what to do. Here are my pa
pers, sir" handing his credentials and recon-
mendation from many prominent men to the
President, who read them and said, s'You
cannot get back without the recommendation
OF the academic board. 1t would be viola
tIon OF law If you were appointed without it, %
Then looking closely at the boy, "If YOU will
get their recommendation-why, then, your
congressman can re-appoint you,'
L am TOO Old to enter on a new appoint-
ment, and the Congressman from NV dis
trict won't appoint me. The one who first
appointed me is out, and new one is now
in.''
every well. You write to the academic
board at West Point, through the post adiu-
tant, and get their permission to re-enter,
asking that you may 60. into the third class
and to go on with your studies. If they con-
sent, will appoint you to West Point.''
will you?" said the boy, his face lighting
up like the harvest moon; 'swhat shall /
write?''
The President then told him what TO write
repeating it. when you have written the
letter, fetch it to me and will revise II and
endorse it,"
''Where shall write it?'
"Sit here at this table, or go to the next
room"
The boy went out with quick step and a
heart too full too speak
The President then turned to your casual,
and entered on the business which brought
him, incidentally mentioning when and where
we had met, and the circumstances wears
ago. When you consider the number of per-
sons he meets, and the hundreds of faces
passing before him daily, you are astonished
at the memory this man possesses.
Congressman came and called the atten-
ton OF the president to some business con-
hected with one of the departments, saying he
would call again. The president asking to be
door. P'''e ' " 'O
- rev ~ moments afterward, walking into the
room OF the head of one of the denartments
your casual found the nro til. p.J -