Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-08
DOORKEEPER FITZHUGH'S EXPERT
ENTE

Mr.. l.. ii. Fizhugh, cx- Confederate doorkecper
of the House Of Representatives gives, in letter
sent to a iiend living at Sherman, Texas. in De-
cember last, interesting description of the pains
and pleasures Of persons newly elected to an off
by the House. Below will be found verbatim
copy of his letter:
D. c., Deer. Is, 1875.
DEAR: / have been trying ever since my
election to write TO you but have been besleged
from light in the morning until one or two at
night had about one hundred 4 thirty appoint
ments to make 4 have had l reckon without exag
Grafton three thousand men women q children
pulling & lurking me every time would put my
head out OF the door of my Office l have had to
keep Two ushers < two or three clerks ever since
the hour of my election in my office. Il it is now
five O'clock in the morning that have gotten up to
write to you. In regard to- tried to save a
Mace for MIN but the members are so clamerous
for their constituents that SO fur it has been i'm
possible to do so, forces after christmas will be
increased and then | will be able to do something
for him < | will stick him in, Fay. Fitzhugh's son
arrived on Saturday morning all safe. set him
to work on Monday at a 81 100 place 4 ne is the
most delighted fellow you ever saw. wish you
could be here with me do try 4 come on, the
Goynt ruishes me with fine turnou: 4 spank
ing pair of Horses 4 before 4 after the house ses-
sions < recess | have exclusive use of them, my
coachman comes down every morning for us, that
is Fsv 4 myself and after driving around to my
breakfast takes me to my otiice come on j. will
give You a. good time. Congress is invited
over 10 the Centenlal on friday, we will have big
iime-come back on Sunday, | may draw on you
for one hundred K twenty Eve collars tomorrow
which YOU can draw back on the lst Of Jan.
got your telegram telling me TO draw for two
hundred if needed bat TIED to do without any,
& nav not have to draw tomorrow. but all Of our
members are like myself tight up on first mo Il
hate to ask them, W come on christmas for a
few days & we will have glorious time, have
more invitations to frolicks with the members Il
Senators than any man in Washington. | am
bigger man now with the members than old Grant
| cannot put my foot on the floor of the Hall but
that they make a break for me 4 sometimes a
dozen begging al me at once for places for some
friend, scarcely ever git out of the office to go on
the floor of the House, | have under me the
Folding rooms Document Rooms, File rooms all
committee rooms, all employees in the South
wing of builiDg 4 entire south wing OF capital.
have Supt d assistant in each department
and about dozen book keepers besides my Office
clerk, & we do things up in stile, have boy to
take my hat Il coat or cant turn around without
some one at my beck & call. & when get all my
rev appointments broken in, shall have nice
time. | am making up party al
ready to come on to Texas on the adjourmt, S S
Cox 10 head 1t, he is the warmeSt friend of mine
YOU ever saw, also the New Speaker Mr. Kerr,
Fay and myself spent the evening with MIR 4 Mrs
Kerr last eveng, / an great favorte OF hers
Mrs Coys & Mrs Senator Gordon-qute con-
trast here & Austin. | can't turn Tor friends here.
have now fifty letters from my Southern friends
all parts Of the South congr atulatipg me, thus
ways the world, let a man be prosperous 4 every
man is his friend, must close, tell - will look out
for him & if cannot make place myself can get
him 10 some of the Departmts after Christmas,
write soon to Your Devoted Friend
L. IL. FIrzHUGH.