National Republican., 1877-07-07
CURBSTONE CLAIM 40 ENTs.
a Nuisance to which the Attention OF the
Proper Authorities Is Called.

a Nuisance to which the Attention Of tho
Proper Authorities Is Called.
EDITOR REPUBLICANS: About ycsr ago
numerous complaints were made of the crowds
Of well-drcSscd loafcrs who infested certain
street corners and hotel steps on Pennsylvania
avenue and elsewhere, to the general annoy
ance of ladies, storckecpers and respectable
citizens generally. The attention Of the
NATIONAL RErrBLiCAS was invited to this
intolcrable nuisance, and after one or two
shells had been dropped among the bummers
they incontincntly scattered, and for time
the public was mcasurnbly rid of congrcga-
tions of men who, while they dressed as gem
tlemcn, except that their adornmcnts were
perhaps more "fashy" than gentlemen usually
wear behaved themselves as rowdics and
hoodlums. Of late, however, u new crop of
loafcrs has sprung up, Of a type differing In
some respects from the old set, but no less oh
noxious than their predecessors. These men
arc the "Curbstone claim agents of the Ma
tional Capital" Their headquarters and
favoritc stamping ground are in front Of the
Ehbitt house and around the drug store corner
of Fourteenth and + streets, where almost any
time in the day and evening fine assort-
mcnt of self.styled Generals" and "Colonels'
may be found, with Judge" or two and a
stray Governor" thrown In by way Of
variety.
1t has been suggested that those bogus mill
tary gents have been attracted to the neigh
borhood Of the Ebbitt house by the liberslity
Of the proprietor, who has announced that no
bills will be presented to officers of the army
until Congress shall have made the necessary
appropriation to pay our bold soldier boys. II
this be the case Mr.. Willard will find that his
house, even with the fine improvements and
additions he Is now making to It, will not be
lrgc enough to accommodate these crowds OF
brigaielcss Generals" and "Coloncls' who
doubtless never saw regiment except on
parade. Some of these curbstonc claim agents
havo apocryphal claims against the United
States, or personal claims upon the present
Administration, aud take every opportunity
of displaying their papers" for the inspection
of the unwary citizen, who generally dis
covers that an interview with one Of these
bummers has to he paid for either in drinks OF
cigars Both the hard money men and the
soft t-moncy men have representatives among
these agents. The hard money faction are
persuasive borrowers Of occasional quarters,
Tho soft-moncy faction believe in an ire
dcemablc paper currency, and. with COM
mcndablc consistency, bring forth little checks
which they wish to have cashcd without the
trouble of stepping around to the bank.
In financial matters, however, their success
is not very encouraging, but their lack of sue
coss in this line Is moro than compensated
by their brilliant success In another line, and
that is squirting tobacco juice. Their talent
in that direction Is limited only by their
ability to beg or borrow the requisite chew.
Evidences of their skill us squirter can be
found by the square yard on any pavement
where they stand half an hour. Whom these
curbstone claim agents are not pursuing their
ordinary business as dead beats aud frst-class
borcs they are staring at and making remarks
upon any ladies who may be passing. tn,
consequence Is that no lady who has once ruI
the gauntlet OF these Notwithstanding, to-
bacco-squirting bummcrs will pass the corne
Of fourteenth and F streets If she eau possibl!
avoid it.
Now, Mr.. Editor, would like to ask yo,
what remedy have wcP II these mon wcr
dirty in person and ragged in dress the polio
would make them move on" but as the.
wear clean shirts and stovc-pipc hats, no mat
ter what amount of moral drtincSS and r,gge'
reputation may be beneath, the police NOV
on themselves. OBSERVER.