New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-20
GEN. GARFIELD AT HOME.
INCIDENTS IN HIS DAILY LIFE.

HORSEBACK '-CURIoUS WAYS OF APPLYING
FOR oFFIcE-GARFIEID's KINDIISEss OF HEART
AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STAMINA.
-frpou AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE TmBUSE
MENTOR. Ohio, Dec IT," They've got ahead o!
mer said General Garfield the other day, as called
his attention to a vast pile of newspapers on one oil
his Office tables. There is a sad waste OF iaDor'
time and postage the part Of thousands OF editors
who mail their journals TO General Garfield. IL Is
impossible for HIM TO open one-tenth OF the NUM-
Der. II was formerly his custom to glance over all
the newspapers which he received. and III articles
had been marked by the sendors he gave them ape-
cial attention. Oue of his secretaries was employer
much of the time in clipping articles that were
worthy of preservation and puting Them III care
fully prepared aud classified scrapbooks, for future
reference. But now. thousands of new spapers come
to him, including nearly all the daes in the coun-
try. and an innumerable multitude of country
weeklics Hundreds OF these contain marked aIti-
tic,es. which the able editors havs written with
great care aud containing valuable suggestions IN
regard to Cabinet-makng. Civil Service reform. the
Southern question, etc. all of which the able edl-
tors aforesaid expect the Presidcnt-elect to read
carefully and ipwarlly digest. His inability to
opcn thousands of these marked papers causes
daily loss of suggestion, advice and admoniton the
enormous value of which can only be properly ost-
mated by the writer's thereof.
Mentor has two post Offices The one at which
General Garfield receives his mail is West Mentor.
and l. H. Luse. NJ. D.. the village physician, - the
postmaster SIX mails arrive ard depart daily, aud
every one Of thcm brugsa large amount OF matter
for General Garfield. The post Office is half mile
distant from General GariielTs residence. and he
often goes there on horseback and carries home
sack Of mail on The pommel of his saddle. The Gen
oplt farm slo tVc
to good advantage in the saddle. nave seldom
seen more striking figure than this ''manon horse
back presents as he gallops down the road. erect
and graceful in the saddle trained cavalryman
bat dressed like plan farmer and the broad brin
of his slouch hat Hopping in the wind. His neigh
bors never tire of gazing at him he passes bY IN
this fashion. and bis unassumng manners help to
confirm them in the belief which they most de-
voutlv cherish, and which thoy cmphaticaliy
declare on every proper occasion, that he l. the
greatest man III the world"
The other day General Garfield desired TO see n
gentleman who lives in remote part of the town,
and went 10 his house on horseback. Riding mp TO
the gate he hallocd IN the familiar manner which is
customary among ncighb rs IN this country. ana the
lady of the house came to the door. The horseman
Inquired whether her husband was at home. and be-
ing told that he was not requested the lady to tell
about a certain matter OF business. The lady had
never seen General Garfield. except on public oc-
casions and IN his farmers garb she did not recog
nize him. If you will tell me where YOU live"
she answered Z" / will tell my husband to cell at
your house." Nv name is Garfield" said the Cen
cral. modcstly And that lady will probably never
forget her embarrassment and modification at not
recognizing her dstinguished townsman before he
made himself known.
General Garfield is as kind and courteous to poor
and humble strangers rs he is to all his ownspeope
Some of the letters which he receives from such
people arc very amusing, aud not few are pathetic
in their appeals for favOrs. | could Gil a volume
with incidents illustrating his kindness of heart.
Recently he received letter from woman stating
that her husband was disabled, and that her family
was destitute. She also stated that her husband
was entitled TO pension which he had never re-
ceIved and besought General Garfield TO obtain the
pension for him. She did not give her husbands
name nor state on what account he could ask for n
pension The General wrote kind reply, pointing
out these important omissions, but assuming that
her husband had been a soldier, gave her
minute instructions as TO the in
which an application for a pension should be made.
Another woman, who evidently has confidence in
the better half of mankind. wrote to Mrs. Garfield
to this effect: We are very poor My husband is
competent 10 fill the office of postmaster in this
village and if General Garfield will give him the
office | will give you switch made OF my own
hair" A Michigan lady applied Tor post office,
apparently confident that her Application Will be
favOraDly considered. because. she alleged, she
attended teachers institute twenty years ago at
which she heard General Garneld deliver u lecture
on grammar. winch was just splendid" A lady who
appears to believe in the ruo, first come, frat
served came here from q distant state soon after
the Chicago Convention and applied for an office.
She came again few days ago. General Garfield
listened with apparent patience to her story. and
then gravely SAID Madame it is not in nv power
to do anything for you. l am out OF office my
self"
Some of the presents which the President-elect
receives as quaint and amusing IA are some OF
the applications for Office Recently an honest Ger
man. of Pennsyl yania. who IL engaged IN the man
ufactnre of rustic chars, came here bringing with
him specimen Of his handwork for General Car
fields use. 1t IL rustic chair made entirely Of
hickory withes, very curously and ingenously
wrought together. Ia the centre OF the back Is a
representation of q canal boat, made OF the same
material as the rest of the chair. In its way. 1t Is
an elaborate and arGlStic piece OF work. ana the
maker was very proud of 1t. When he arrived with
this chair at tue railway station he was met by the
ubiquitous interviewer. who SAID You want an
office of course ?" Mem (Ott. nor replied the
chairmaker. al shust want 10 see Sheneral Gar
fieldt-und advertise meiH shdirs J" tobacco firm
IN one OF the large clues sent invoice Of smoking
tobacco-a present fcar, which is not appreciated,
as General Garfield and the gentlemen abOut him do
not indulge IN the pleasures of the pipe. A few
boxes of cigars might have had warmer reception.
such incidents arc the bubbles on the surface IT
General GNriied's daily life, but below is deep,
still currefn of earnest thought nlness. careful
studyNQf political problems and dlhgcnt prepara-
ton 70, the great duties aud responsibilities OF the
near future Never did man more earnestly and
cOnscientOusly desire 10 serve his country ably and
unselfshlv and although he is temporarily out of
Office be is devotlng himself day ana night TO study
and labor for the public good His extensive cor
respoudenco attended t. with scrupulous and
every visitor is accorded much time AMI courtesy
the inexorable demands OF business Will permit.
Fortunately his physical basis is exceptionally
sound am substantial. II IL were not. ms hedth
would be broken under the heavy burdens winch
his hard master the public, imposes upon hlm. And
these burdens will increase IN number and weight
as the time for his Inauguration draws nearer
MIDNIGHT WEATHER REPORT.
GOVERNMENT INDICATIONS.