The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-02-28
a VISION OF rssa.
The DecayeG Politicians Ese1rea.

New York SUM
PoNDUCK, Mass, July 5. ISS2.-l
want TO give you an account of my visit
to one of the most admirably organized
and best administered charities ON the
face OF the earth. The Decayed Poiiti
clans Retreat is, as YOU know, beautiful,
situated on Saline River, about six mile,
from here. Being detained in this vii
lage over yesterday by business | took
advantage of the holiday to drive thither
with a friend, and was kindly received
by the Superintendent, Gen. Butler, wht
went to good deal of trouble to show
me the interior workings of the institu
ton.
1.-The selection of this site was fortu-
nate" said Gen Butler, as he led 1he
way across beautiful lawn from his pri-
vate house to the large brick building
occupied by the inmates. 1.-The lovely
natural scenery does much to soothe dis
appointment and allay remorse, and
/ there's always fresh breeze blowing up
/ Saline River
''Are your wards contended as a gen.
eral thingf"
"Some OF them are positively cheerful, -
said the Superintendent, with enthusi-
asm.
"And you, General? After your some.
what active career, don't you find il
rather tedious at the Retreat, cooped up
with party of relics?'
/ o, am satisfied" said Gen. Butler,
smiling grimly, and shaking the large
4 bunch of keys that he carried in one
hand. "When Jones of Nevada left all
his money for this object, "A little more
than three years ago, and the trustees
invited me to the post Of duty, l came
like man and a patriot. CONNIE je
trOuce, sir, is my motto
/ BY this time we had reached the heavy
oaken door at the main hall Of the asy-
lum. Our conductor raped smartly
with his knuckles.
"How many outside?" asked voice
from within.
"Three," replied Gen. Butler.
The door slowly swung open, and a tall
man with a long red beard stood aside to
let us pass in.
Good morning, Mr.. Ferry" said the
Superintendent, pleasantly, 81 wish you
happy Fourth of July"
cone Two! Three" said Mr.. Ferry
in an impressive voice, telling US off with
his re-fnger 'All right, gentleman,
you can walk in. Oh, good morning,
General. | wish YOU a great many"
owe keep him here to open the door,
explained Gen. Butler, and he imagines
he has the right to count as well rs to
open. In all other respects he is perfect
! ly harmless, and so we hGmor him il little
It's the only satisfaction he has in life
now"
The General led the way through {
long corridor, and as he stopped to un-
lock a door, an inmate came up and
touching his cap, asked permission to
say a few words in private.
"Well, speak up, George" said Butler
''Who has been sitting on you now?'
If you please, General" said Bout
but unappreciated fnancier. nobody
has been sitting on ne, sir. But have
solved the problem at last, and | want
leave of absence to 60 to Washington
and lay my solution before Congress
Solved what problem, George asked
the General, winkng at us.
"The problem Of silver resumption,
General" replied Inmate Boutwell,. II
is very simple when you see it, VIII you
permit me to expIainl"
'I'll give you just a minute and half
George" said the General, looking at hi
watch.
"You see, there are from a million anC
a quarter to a million and half teethine
children in the United States-perhap.
two million. Now every blessed one oil
'em has to have a silver dollar to bite on
If you pass law Withdrawing this i'm
mense sum from use in the process o.
dentition, silver will flow into the nationa
Golfers, will find its way into the natura
channels Of trade, confidence will be re
established and -"
"All very good, George" interrupted
the General, "but what is going to be
come Of the babies? You can't teeth
them on greenbacks, Don't you see thai
if you withdraw their silver dollars, til,
entire rising generation will be unable t.
masticate, consequently there won't be
any market for beef, corn or chewing to
bacco, and the deuce will be pay in trad,
circles generally. 1t won't wash
George"
81 didn't think Of that point, General,
said the retired fnancier, taken littl'
aback.
"No, George, you didn't" said the su
perntendent you had better 60 t,
your room and think the whole matter
over again , and when you have devised
some way of obviating the difficulty
spoke of, why then Well talk about ;
leave of absence to 90 to Washington.
Now" continued the General, as In
mate Boutwell, moved rather rueiully
away, "Ill show you our oldest case
the centennarian of the establishment.
We entered alittle room, in the centre
of which, bent over a table, sat person
of extreme age, attired IN rusty swal
low-tail coat. He was writing diligently
and without cessation.
"Look up, Hannibal" said the super
intendent, poking him gently with hi
cane, ''Look up and see the gentlemen.
When the aged Inmate locked up, W,
saw that he was tied in his chair to keel
him from tumbling out. He smileC
blandly upon US for moment from be
hind his spectaoles, and then began t.
write again as industriously as ever.
"What is he doing?" / asked.
'.He is writing franks. He has los
all his teeth and his hair, and his hear
ing aud his wits, but he can still hold
pen, and he writes franks from mornin,
till night, stopping only for his Cruel
The other inmates are celebrating tn
,, Fourth, but here is old Hannibal at hi
customary occupation. He writes hi
name on every old envelope, newspaper
or scrap of paper that he can find. an,
; puts them all in the big mail box in tn
!; hall. Of course, like the contribution
of the rest of the inmates, they never g
any further than my Office. But h
e doesn't know it, and he placidly keep
on writing franks. The only thing tina