National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-05-22
POLICY SHytRpg,
Ways That are Dark for which They are
Pecuiiar-iIow tho Law is--Evadcd.

""a's'f''
ways That are Dark for which They are
Pecuiiar-IIow the Law s-Eyadcd.
Policy writers have hard time Of It, They
are pretty closely watched by the police 30
that they are afraid to open shops aud sell
openly like they did once In those days,
which were not moro three months ago, just
before The REPUBLICAN, arraigncd the police
for ncgleciing their duty whenever n person
saw little shop with . bare counter, with
nothing behind u, on before II, or under II, or
over II, except bare boards with crowd of
ragged, hungry, loafing men always in the
nciyhborhood, Il WINS a very safe conclusion
that the only merchandise sold over the rough
board counter was policy. Now, the policy
writers have resortcd to all sorts n lodges to
avoid detection, and TO avoid coming within
the scope Of the law when detected. Policy Is
sold now In barbcr-shops and low groggerics
and grocery stores, md on the street corners.
The writers aud the policy spccuistors have
o perfect understanding. When crowd of
colorcd men persist In stans ing around n GER
tain corner without any q; parent object, II n
person Is watchful and pat lent he will sec n
young fellow come along soon, aud without
stopping or communicating with any Of the
crowd, slip them each ticket and receive
money. He passcs on rs Il nothing occurred,
and the colorcd men stick their hands in their
Pockcts, whistle, try TO look unconcerncd and
SLOUGH away, with day dreams Of the luck
which the next drawing will give them. The
luck will never come, and they will slouch oil
into their gravcs with some "magical" mum
hers in their ragged pocket. A favorite place
for the policy writer's Is In the rear Of barber.
shop. This accounts for the number Of loafcrs
that infcst the lowest class of barber-shops. II
Is very seldom anybody gets shaved in one Of
them.
Sometimes some colored man. who has
learned the ways Of the world, stumllcs into
the rickcty doorway, whose jan,b- are orna.
mentcd by the usual red and white stripes,
and climbing into the dusty and frowsy chair
calls for shave. The barber hunts around
the room and collects an old cracked cup, n
dirty towel and drawing razor from his hip
pocket performs an extraordinary operation
on the customer, who draws his legs up In
agony, and gives expression to his feelings by
frequently spluttering the hthcr from his
mouth, and letting out long-drawn "Je-c-e-
rusalem.' This Is about all the barbering
that Is done. But u policy sharper comes
around once or twice day and holds forth in
the back part of the shop aud YOU see the
lo,fcrs desert the curb-stones aud barpls In
the Rcighborhood and crowd In To buy q gig "
The same thing IL done In some bar-rooms. In
this way the writers arc not obliged to keep q
shop, and IL they were arrested they could not
be charged with keeping a room for playing
policy. Business Is bad now. Policy writers
sporting the faded sayety Of last falls cloth
ing.
LIvELT DAY At THE WHITE HOUSE.
Tho President Literally Be.sesed by Inter-
viewers-A Gathering of All Glasses and
KInds-Can Of the As-d.Nian.
The rush of visitors at the White House
ycstciday WIS unprecedented, except In the
carly days of President Hayes Inauguration
The rrnxgd hauan inc thn
were opened, and continued until o'clock
The more distinguished visitors rs rule
enter the room of Private Secretary Rogers, and
by him arc ushcrcd into the Presidents office
The others wishing to see the President
usually deliver their cards to the doorkecpeI
at the main door of the Presidents Office
Then, after receiving the Government officials
and more prominent callers, the President
generally gives word for the admission of nj
who may be waiting prior to his hour fol
lunch. Yesterday when this word WAS given
fully 100 persons rushed towards the door and
were admitted. The crowd WIS made up Of
all classes, the females being in the majority.
There was one gentleman who announced
himself rs Henry Schricfcr, Duke Of Espen
burg, Germany" and after him came an old
negro man Of Il years, with musty credentials
TO all whom it msy concern" saying that he
was bitten by three different snakes, shot foul
| times In the breast, legs and arms, and other.
wise mutilated, all Of which he wanted the
President to consider in his petition for 's0m,
| light sweeping" around the building. Then
came Mrs. A. Hall and Miss II. Dame, Of
Georgetown, accompanied by an aged ,iarkiC
Of 40. The ladies simply wished to pay their
respects and present their venerable colorcd
friend to the President, which WAS done In due
| form. Previous to this Mrs. Mary Sipc Of R,l
timore, of the good old age of o., saw the Presi
dent and extended her congratulations.
Among the hundred whom the President
| admitted under the general order were many
| ladies and young girls, all trying to he rein
stated in some place whence they had re
Gently been dismissed. There was one.lsdy
poorly clad. vita two little children and d
grown daughter. She saw the President, and
whatever claims she may have had were NJ
doubt strengthened by the helplcSsness Of hci
little ones. Taken as whole, yesterday wa,
the livclcst day the President has seen for q
long while.