New-York tribune., 1876-05-05
tent Of the triumph should be simply the
measure of its infamy.
A BIGGER MAN THAN OLD GRAFT

BIGGER MAN THAN OLD GRAFT
II ia not often the privilege of the general
public to get inside an eminent man but our
readers will enjoy that experience this morn
ine We have seen faint and imperfect pic
tures from time to time of the wild quest for
offices and perquisites when the bars OF the
Federal pen at Washington were let down last
December, and the hungry Democracy rushed
In after fifteen years. fasting outside. But the
scene can only be appreciated by those who
are able to put themselves in the place of the
scrambers, and who know what IL Is 10 DO
stuffed after starvation. and wrapped In
"sweet clothes" after half lifetime OF peg
cary. Hence the letter in which Mr.. Fitzhugh
describes to q friend in Texas the emotlons
which made a tempest in his bosom when he
found himself DOOrkeepcr of the House OF
Representatives, possesses not merely O curious
historical interest but considerable value as
study in psychology. 1t lays bare sentiments
which most great men are careful 10 keep
secret. and reproduces in real life the feelings
of Christopher Sly, who fell asleep tinker
and awOke lord.
Nor is it only of himself that the new Chris
topber gives us faithful portrait. He was
not more hungry than the honorable gentle
men whose deliberations he was set to guard.
"I have been beseged," he writes, from
"light in the morning until one or two at
"night. have had to keep two ushers
"and two to three clerks ever since the hour
" of nv election in my Office" Members have
been $50 clamorous," that he could save moth
ing for his own friends 81 cannot put my foot
on the floor of the hall but that they make a
"break for me, and sometimes a dozen begin
" at me at once for places" and in consequence
of these rude opportunities Mr.. Fitzhugh
hardly ever dares "to git out of his office"
There is not a wretched little bone of clerk
ship, or messengers dry and mouldy crust, for
which these famishing Representatives are not
scrambling and fighting There is nothing TOO
small for them to grab, and we suspect there
are not many things they would refuse to do
to please a man who has anything to give
away.
That Christopher Sly's head should not be
turned by his sudden transformation was not
to be expected:
What think you II he were conveyed to bed.
wrapped in sweet clothes rings put upon his fingers
most delicious banquet by his bed
And brave attendants near him when lie wakes,
Would not the Deggar then forget himself ,
"Onite n contrast here and Austin" writes
Fitzhugh. 81 have more invitations to frolics
with the Members and Senator'S than any
"man in Washington. | am bigger man
"now with the Members than old Grant"
And the Members all seem to be SO fond OF
him! Mr.. Cox "Is the warmcst friend OF mine
"you ever saw. Also the new Speaker, Mr.
kerr Beauty smiles upon him. Mr.. and
Mrs. Kerr have him to tea. lie is great
favorito with eminent ladies' generally. 1.-The
"Goyernmcnt furnishes me with fine turn
"out and spanking pair of hoIseS.' The Cen
tennial Commission invites him and the rest OF
the Government to Philadelphia to nave
"big time" There are scores of clerks ana
assistants under him; Il coachman to drive
him to his breakfast and his Office, boy to
take his hat and coat, some one ut lbs peek II ne
only turns around "we do things IN STYLE"
he eycaims in burst OF enthusiasm; "and
"when | get all my new appointments broken
"in shall have nice umc.' upon my
"lifc," cries Christopher, 81 am Lord indeed
There is no happiness on earth without
alloy, and even Doorkeeper Fitzhugh has
troubles, in common with the rest OF the
House OF Representatives. 1t is only little
"myscif. tight up on the first of the month"
But payday comes fast and regular mt the
capital, and we doubt not that If the person
to whom this letter was addressed accepted
his correspondents invitation, and went Oh to
Washington at Christmas there were means
forthcoming for tho GLORIOUS time" promised
in such confident and enthusiastic terms. At
any rate the colchman was there, with The
spanking pair of horses, for the Government
pays for those, and the Government fortu-
natcly is not Eight up the iiIst of the month"; :
so we make no doubt that Fitzhugh might
have been seen during the holidays by any
body who chose TO look for him spinning
through Washington with the fine turnout
and singing to the friend from Texas the
words of his Shakespearean prototype,
Wo shall ne'cr be younger. and let the world slide
AZ nJnEtSUTDkHD Ell CTJDN