Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-09-26
THE NAH WHO SMOKES.
The Daily Routine Of His Excellency &
President at the Sea-ShOre Capital.

This is what Long Branch is now
called, and we walked by the Executive
Mansion. It is rather unpretending
cottage, fanked on either side by more
pretentious houses, oil three belong
ing to his Excellency, who rents at ex-
orbitant prices the two. There are
some shabby sort of people who are
willing to pay heavily for the privilege
OF having President as landlord and
neighbor. .io.,- ..l.
We questioned q gentleman who is
on familiar terms with General Grant
as to how this intellectual parsonage
managed to put in his time. Our friend
replied, slowly, as if trying to remember
between sentences.
"Well, he rises about 8 and smokes.
Then he breakfasts and smokes. A.
ter this, his secretary opens the mail and
the President smokes"
"Does he ever read the papers?"
"Oh, no; his secretary reads them,
and whenever he sees passage or par
agraph likely to interest the President
he marks it. The files thus marked
the President looks into, but he seldom
gets beyond one, and this he does not
keep long unless it happens to be
sporting journal. After this Intellectual
effort he has visitors"
"And the President listens and
smokes?'
He smokes, certainly; but there is
a popular delusion about that silence.
Among his intimate friends and family
he talks incessantly--thatis is, if the sub
ject is not political. When politics are
touched he suddenly grows reserved
and sinks into silence.
"And after?"
Well, then comes an early dinner
and more smoking. After dinner there
is drive of two and sometimes three
hours. Then tea and smoke. After
tea more company and more cigars.
Sometimes he indulges in walk, and
then he is accompanied by friend and
cigar. After night-cap, then bed"
"Why, does he give no time to the
affairs of the Government ?"
"My dear friend, he gives all his
time here, in Washington, to Govern
ment matters. This is done by talking.
Our Government is carried on through
talk, in q social, pleasant way. Every
man and sometimes the woman, has an
Office to be got, either for self or friend.
This is Government business, and he or
she talks it at the President. Or there
is contract in question. This is Gov
ernment business, of course"
"And so We pay o man hundred
thousand dollars year, directly and
indirectly, to talk politics. However,
that is very inoffensive sort of way to
put in the time. How are his habits ?"
"Not SO good as his occupation.
They talk about third term: The way
his Excellency is drinking and smoking
it is not likely he will I've out the sec-
ond term. If he does he has d cohsti-
tuition far stronger than that of the
United States."
"It would not be, perhaps, if the
journals so prompt to expose the short
comings of subordinates, such as Sen
ators and Secretaries, were to comment
upon and criticise those of the Presi-
dent"
That is true" we said. "No man
has ever held Office in this country who
has been so tenderly treated as this man,
with his brood of brutal relatives. We
have very high opinion of the people;
but if they knew what the citizens of
Washington generally know, Grant
would be hooted otft of the White
House. Don PiaN.