Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-03-04
A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE.
A Washington Business Man Gives
Hayes Political Points.
[Graphic Correspondence

[Graphic Correspondence
One of our most popular and enterprising
business men was in New Jersey several
weeks ago and got into the train to come
home. The parlor Car was crowded, but the
porter said:
''Take your seat anywhere, sir, for few
minutes. Some of the passengers will get
out soon, and then will give you seat"
My friend entered the car and without
ceremony seated himself beside stranger,
who was reading New York morning paper.
My friend is little sensitive about the story
| am to tell and will not give his name, but
for the purpose of Identification will call
him Peters. He is very sociable man, a
stalwart Republican, and pretty we'll up in
politics.
The stranger laid down his paper pretty
soon, and engaged in conversation with Pc
ters on the topics of the day. Business. spec
ulation and other matters were discussed,
and very naturally the conversation ran into
politics, of which subject the stranger did not
seem anxious to talk. Peters asked him how
far he was going, and the stranger replied
that he was on his way to Washington.
.'Live there?" asked Peters.
"Only temporarily" was the strangers re-
ply, and he proceeded to explain that he was
in office.
Nv What part of the country are you from ?"
Lots of Ohio men around Washington
since Hayes came ?" remarked Peters with
asmie.
EYES," replied the stranger; 1--WE Ohio
people think we can supply the brains and
muscle for the whole country"
''Modest folks, you Ohio men," said
Peters again, ''got the President, General of
the Army, Chief Justice. Secretary of the
Treasury, and about half the Offices, and now
you want to nominate another Ohio man for
President. Do you think John Sherman
stands any chance of being nominated p
II really don't like to express an opinion
on that subject" replied the stranger prompt
ly. "Secretary Sherman is friend of mine
and would like very much to see him Presi-
dent, but cannot estimate his strength"
"They say Hayes is giving him big lift"
suggested Peters.
No reply.
Il understand that civil service order about
Office holders fooling with political conven-
tions has been temporarily withdrawn. 40
that John Sherman can get the Southern dele
gates to Chicago" said Peters.
"a great many things have been said by
Secretary Sherman's opponents that are
neither true nor reasonable" answered the
stranger, somewhat sharply.
"Well, like to see Hayes stand by his
friends" remarked Peters, ''but if that civil
service order ever was intended to be in
forced it ought to be enforced now, while
the fight for nomination is being made. But
1t was never meant to be enforced. Hayes
issued it to satisfy some of the namby- -pamby,
rr;1t- Iro hn oil
form when out of Office. 1t never made any
difference with the political machinery of
this country and never was intended to-"
'sThe President was sincere in issuing that
order" said the stranger, ''and happened to
know that he desires its enforcement.
II hope he isn't lying awake nights fretting
about it., remarked Peters.
The stranger changed the topic of conver
satioD, and pretty soon Peters asked il he
wouldn't smoke. The proffered cigar was
declined, and Peters went to the smoking
room alone. There he met an acquaintance,
who asked:
"What gentleman was that you were talk
ing with ?"
he is al Ohio Congressman. didn't ask his
name, but he said he was in office"
What were you talking about ?"
"Politics, mostly. He seems to be an Ad-
ministration man; says he wants John Sher-
man nominated, and seemed little touchy
when said that Hayes civil service reform
business was humbug. He said he knew
Hayes was sincere, and all that"
''Don't you know who he is ?"
'No; never saw him before"
''Never saw the President of the. United
States?"
''Holy Moses is that Hayes?"
Eyes"
''You don't tell me. I thought knew the
man, but it didn't occur to me that he was
Hayes"
''What did you say to him ?"
"Nothing but what I'll back up, and moth
ing but what is true; but may be would
not have expressed my views SO clearly if |
had known who was talking with. Look
bere! porter, can't you get me seat in the
other car 2"