The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-20
"Oh for the touch Of vanished hand
Aud the sound ot a voice that II still. -
4 PATRIOTS STRANGE ADVENTURES.


From a somewhat incoherent narrative
recently issued In pamphlet form by n Mr.. John
Pope Hodnett. a Washington lawyer. we learn
OF the existence OF an organization called the
Labor League OF the United States of America
Of which Mr.. Hodnett IL President. The pam
phlet does not clearly set forth the character or
object OF the League. There Is something in
definite. mysterious. awful about it's internal
economy. IL has organizers. central and cir
cumferential. supervisors and safety commit
toes. besides an occult Sisterhood that bears
some unexplained relation to the workings OF
the League itself. We Judge from the narrative
in the pamphlet that Mr.. John Pope Hodnctt
the prime mover in this mysterious mechanism.
is very remarkable man. both as an orator
and an agitator and also as the marked victim
OF n cloudy band OF conspirators who are trying
to assassinate him. We proceed to unfold the
details Of this conspiracy and the startling adj
ventures Of Mr.. John Pope Hodnett. 50 far as
we are able to understand them.
One of Hodnetts trusted lieutenants In the
Causc-whntcvcr that mey be-was Michael
Seaman. who holds or held the position Of clerk
in the State Department under the eminent Mr.
Eyarts. Seaman professed great admiration
for lIodneu's genius. He often said" writes
Hodnctt. in the heaging Of hundreds Of men.
that Ito use his own cXprcsslonl my ability was
more than human. and what would be when l
arrived at his age; that was the only man in
America competent TO lead any great move
ment. AIR said he. you don't know the
trouble you have given the Administration with
the Labor League. They would do anything TO
get rid OF you. dare not now tell you what
the Chief Clerk OF the State Dcpartmont told me
what the President said 10 him about YOU
Then Mr.. Hodnett adds. with simple and touch
ing dignity: II seaman did not mean what he
said about my supcrhuman ability. then 1t was
base hypocrisy in him to say So
It was base hypocrisy; and Mr.. Hodnett soon
discovered scanan's dsingenuousness.
In his anxiety to further the political fortunes
Of his Lieutenant. Mr.. Hodnet went to the White
House to press Scanlan's appointment to an
Office of moro importance than II mere depart
ment clerkshp. Seaman was willing 10 take
any one OF three oficcs-Appraiser at New York.
Collector OF Internal Revenue for Brooklyn. or
Recorder for the District of Columbia. All other
Offices at home or abroad. he sternly declined
Hodnett and Seaman were received. we are told
by Hayes in his usual suave manner land
Hodnett's speech In behalf of his friend is re-
ported in full We give it in part:
John Pore Hodnert .ail Mr. President, have TO
sc. YOU have eNr lei go my -' President OF tho Ia
tNr utltg Ut that
matter
uis Nr scanaa Z. nobcly~i an no6Siy any man
Vat we Mi.h to w. i9rwara WI nl e. M a; well as
everything
Mr. Hodnett next alluded modestly to his own
services in the late Presidential campaign.
These were not the less important because they
were If negative rather than positive char.
acter. " | received" he explained to Mr.. HAYES,
AN invitation from the Hon. Abram ;. Hewitt.
Chairman OF the Democratic National Commit
tee. % take tho stump against you ia a doubtful
State. JH dec'ued 10 do SO. | have that letter
still in my possession. and can produce it,
Then he went back 10 Sranlan's case:
This /. the only favor have asked .o fir - in YOUR
Administration, and don't con'rcr 10 anvmus q a
favor ou our trt grant H. Non are wei awar that
isasuc saved tn, city irom u.,tracuon anil ,our-. L
aG 1 u, ,, fo@ snnu" iqi7 u, t., r,
WAT me- gth.r man il I'm, 9itA 'gWl render and thai
should without amy further hesitation grant me this az
Again thank Won for your marked courtesy TO TIN.
dole zion ana ., AIN o., delegation. who have called
affairs ot the League.
Before Mr.. Hayes could give expression to
the emotions excited by this eloquent appeal
Carl Schurz inopportunely entered the room
and Mr. John Pope Hodhett was obliged &c
withdraw. Hayes having first invited Scanar
To call that evening. The result Of that inter
view is told 10y Hodnett:
Mr. seaman called on the President al the appointed
tinr any had Two hnHrs interview WIN nm dnun.
mus. return 10 the Republican party and the Presidcn
sad he would
Seaman then returned 10 Hodnett's ofllce or
| Louisiana avenue, whore "A little supper wa,
| spread for tho principal chicftains Of the Labor
| League. II was ON this festive occasion tina