The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-25

4 DECEMBER 4. J: n D E 25, 1876. 81
IA MAs srHy BY REpoRrEas-aIR III
AZ CReSTH m RICHMoND-Hfs VIEwst THE
OREGON AFFAIR.--Mr.f E. s.A. Cr0nf1l, of
Portland, Oregon, the Democrat who was
declared chosen eIector instead OF the Re
publican fcandi date, srhoi lis Ineligible, ar
|Tiyed in the city from Nv Washington Saturday
morning, and took aroOm int the st. James
Hotel, Since, Mr.. ,Cronin came 80 promi-
nently into notice neWspape reporters have
lowered about him Hike guafiian angels.
|He has quite,woni their hearts; They, have
watched his fngoings and outcomfngs, and
have carefully chronfc1ed all lIis movements
for the benefit Of the public without regard
to his own feelings. He was interviewed
alf along the route from San Francisco East
= The reporters would fire md fall back
that is, question him and Jump off the train,
Just as others would Jump on: Before he
got to the East his views were better known
to the people thantto himself He often
found himself reading the papers to learn
what his thoughts were. CORRESPONDENTS
appeared in all sorts OF disguises-some
times as newsboys, then, as baggage
agents, then, as; s;apple-venders, then as acci-
dent insurance policy canvassers, and in va-
rious other roles, and before he knew what
was going on they had interviewed him.
1ir. Cronin had been assailed by the re-
porters in detail up. to The time he reached
Washington. When he got there the news
paper brethren called upon him in squads,
demanding and efitreating his views on the
various subjects and matters connected
with the Oregon vote. Notwithstanding
Mr. Cronin had told all he knew over and
over again, the denizens Of Newspaper
Row pestefed him continually, and would
take no idetiiaI. His meals were eaten in
misery, his sleep was filed with horrid
visions, and his days were fast becoming g
uncomfortable, when he bethought himself Of
q way Of retreat. And he concluded to
come down to Richmond and to visit a SIS
Ter who lives in Chesterfield. "far from the
madding crowd.".& -. -
I The fact that he was here was. known
to only a few till he. had slipped away. His
name was registered at the st. James Hotel
in plain, firm hand, e. A. Cronir, Port
land, Oregon, Room AZ B.' i 49,. :.
J Areporter OF this paper, feeling anxious
to accord Mr. CroDin q welcome to the city,
and being desir0us at the same time OF re-
lieving him Of any thoughts on the political
situation that burdened bis mind, called
at the n James Saturday about noon. He
was told by Mr.. sHoennger, the affable and
polite host, that Mr. Cronin had gone to
Manchester. Notwithstanding Mr.. Hoen-
niger's known reputation for veracity, that
story was regarded as almost incredible.
It was not then known that his sister lived
in this section of the country, and the idea
that man all the way from Oregon would
want to see Manchester seemed preposter-
Gus. 1t was guessed that he was here to
consult some of our statesmen. Yet the
story was true. ~ .a-l
:Hewent over to Manchester in carriage,
and in Manchester hired horse and buggy
for three rdays,it is said, and departed for
the residence of Rev. Thomas Digges, a
Methodist minister, residing on the old
Broadrock road, or near the old court
house, fourteen miles from town, and whose
wife is his sister.
Mr.. Cronin is2 about forty years OF age;
is about FIVE feet eight inches high; dark
hair, eyes, and moustache-the last OF Ma
poleonic proportions. His face wears the
rosy hue Of health, and his general appear
ance is fine. From the accounts OF those
who saw him he must be a man Of strong
individuality and great strength OF charac-
ter. Line WIFI ND uc
lied the Electoral College when he found
that the two Republican electors would not
serve stamps him as q man OF promptness
and decision. @.--Ssssass- Stssassas- s&ss sssss
The returns are yet. in his custody-at
least he has not yet delivered them to Mr..
Ferry, the president (pro tem.) OF the Sem
ate.. 1T is regarded as likely that he did not
bring them with him to Richmond. i:
+ MI. Digges, at whose house be will spend
the Christmas, is about sixty years OF age.
He is much-beloYed minister OF the Vir-
ginia Conference, and his wife is lady OF
culture. ,..,-..,,.,.- .---.-,~-.
Mr.. Cronin will no doubt spend his
Christmas in happiness and peace. The
sacred soil OF Chesterfield is seldom beaten
by the rude feet Of reporters interyiewers
know it not; the people are hospitable, and
kind, and all the surroundings are Of that
soothing kind so welcome to the tempest
tossed spirit. 80
r Saturday night, after the above was writ
ten, it was ascertained at the st. James Ho-l
tel that Mr.. Cronin's dreams OF peace had
been somewhat disturbed, and that he had
come back to the city, and taken the train
for Washington. He said that he had con-
cluded that it would be better for him to be
ON the ground to watch the progress OF,
events, and that he would revisit Richmond
in the course OF week OF two.