Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-05
WATCHING uosT1LEt
THE JOKE is ON SHERMAN.

Aho N1ann0f IN which Cabinet OMco r.
Chucklo over the Theft Of His Repsrt.N
Correspondence of the Chicago Inter Ocean.
Washington, Nov. 29.-Seceretary Sher-
man is very mad. He was never 90 mad in
his life. He prides himself upon the dis
cipline in his department., and now some
rascally clerk has stolen his report from un-
der his eye and sold it to the newspapers,
and it gals him dreadfuliy.
II don't care 90 much about the publica-
ton" said the secretary this morning, "but
l no feel it to be a disgrace l cannot pre-
vent such things being done in this depart
ment."
He was very careful that no ideas from his
report should creep out and get in to the
newspapers before it was delivered to
of the cabinet lecture the other day on the
'mpropriety of gossiping with newspaper
men about their reports and the massage
Last year when the financial portion of the
presidents message was published prema
turely-a proof having been procured BY
an enterprising correspondent from one of
the printers-Secretary Sherman was very
much provoked, and said that If he ever
found out the thief he should be discharged
and punished. And now, with the know
ledge aforethought ofthis penalty, some
clerk smuggled a copy of Shermans
secret report out of the vault where it was
locked and sealed, and sold it to combina-
lion of newspapers for $500. The secret-ser-
vice men at are work, and ifthe culprit is de-
tected he will be dismissed from the depart
ment and arrested and punished for grand
larceny. Eight years ago this same thing
occurred. Secretary Boutwelps private
secretary sold his report, and being dis
missed in disgrace, and unable to secure
other employment, died drunkard. /
haye taken occasion to hold him up az an
awful warning.
The other cabinet officers draw long faces
when they meet Sherman, and say, "Infa-
nous outrage )" but when he passes by they
laugh in their sleeves, and quietly enjoy his
chagrin, for Sherman is the pink o propri
ETY. of the cabinet. He has several times
hinted to his colleagues that they were q
little free with their lips, and has pointed
to the treasury as well-behaved and disci-
plined department..
Said one cabinet man yesterday:
"pm glad of it. should hate to see the
message get out, but Sherman is so devilish
particular about such things that it wont do
him any harm, and will give US chance to
joke him little"
docs Sherman like TO be joked!"
"Well, should say not. Still we punch
him up q little once In q while. Esarts
does it the best; and am anxious to hear
what Evarts will say to him about this sto.
len report. shall tell Sherman, when I
see him, that when he wants another docu.
ment kept secret. to send it owe. to me.
Key pokes fun at Sherman sometimes in .
quiet way, Key has got rare humor iu
him. You remember the case of that reve.
nue. agent who was accused of advocating
reputation in Virginia. Raum wrote him
letter saying that his resignation was
wanted II he was On snti.debt payer; and
the man, who proved his innocence.
inquired who made the charge. Raum told
him that Judge Key did it. Now, the facts
were these: Somebody reported to Sher.
msn that Q postoflce agent tn Virginia, Civ.
ing his name, had been active 10 the recent
campaign 90 q repudiationist. Sherman
wrote note to Key, and said he ought 10
be discharged. Key looked over his list OF
off1ciale. found no such msn, but discovered
that there vas a revenue agent Of that name.
sent the note to Raum, and Raum supposed
that Key was responsible for the charge.
Key always alludes to this faur pas every
chance be gets. In 6herman's presence, un.
I'll Sherman is Q little sore about It."
"But," continued the cabinet minister
che will be sorer before he gets through b
with this report. The next time he goes
to preaching about keeping cabinet secretf
he'll be told that he better look after hit
own"