The Portland daily press., 1880-02-20
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.
An Episode in Politics.

One of our most popular and ente; prising
business men was in New Jersey several weeks
ago and got into the train to come home. The
paror car was crowded, but the porter said:
''Take your seat anywhere, sir, for few
minutes. Some of these passengers get out
soon. and then I will give you a seat"
My friend entered the car. and without cere-
monv seated himself beside a stranger. who
was reading a New York morning paper. My
friend is little sensitive about the story am
to tell, and 1 will not'give his name, but for the
purpose of Identification will call him Peters.
He is a very sociable man, a stalwart Republi-
can, and pretty well up on politics.
The stranger laid down his paper pretty
soon and engaged in conversation with Peters
on the topics of the day. Business, specula-
fion and other matters were discussed, and
veIy naturally the conversation ran into poll
tics on 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 temporarilv," was the strangers re-
ply, and he proceeded to explain that he was
i'm office.
..W, "What part of the country are you FROM"
"Lots of Ohio men around Washington since
Haves came in!'' remarked Peters. with a
smile.
Eyes" replied the stranger; 1--WE Ohio peo-
Dle think we can supply the brains and muscle
for the whole country"
"Mndest 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 ano'her Ohio man for President.
Do you think John Sherman stands any chance
If being ncminated?".
II really don't like TO express al opinion on
that subject" replied the stranger promptly.
Secretary Sherman is a friend Of mine and
would like very much to see him President,
but I cannot estimate his strength"
They say HAYES giving him big lift,'
suggested Peters.
No reply.
Il understand that civil service order about
otficebolders fooling with political conventions
has been temporarily withrawn, 81 that John
Sherman can get his Southern delegates to
Chicago" said Peters.
"a great many things have been said by
Secretary Shermans opponents that nei-
ther true nor reasonable" answered the stran-
ger, somewhat sharply.
"Well. like to see HAYES stand by his
friends remarked Peters, "but il that civil
service order ever WAS intended TO be enforced
IL onght TO be enfA6ed now, while the fight
for the nomination is being made. But it was
never meant to be enforced Hayes issued it
to satisfy some of the namby-pamby, gilt-edged
politicians. who are always for reform when
they are ont of office. 1t never made any diff
ference with the political machinery of this
country, and it was never intended to-"
THE President was sincere in issuing that
order" said the stranger. "and happen to
know that he desires its enforcement
81 hope he isn't living awake nights fretting
about it," remarked Peters.
The stranger changed the topic Of convesa-
ton. and pretty soon Peters asked If he would
not 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?"
Dunno" responded Peters. 81 believe he
is an Ohio Congressman. didn't ask his
name, but he said he was in office"
''What were you talking about?"r
Politics, mostly. He seems to be an ad-
ministration man. Says he wants John Sher-
man nominated. and seemed little touchy
when | said that Hayess 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?"
"HoIy Mosesl is that Hayes?"
eyes"
you don't tell me! 1 thought knew the
man, but it didn't occur to nae that he was
HAYES"
"What did you sa, to him?''
Nothing but what I'll back up, and moth
ing but what is true; but maybe would not
have expressed my views so clearly if | had
known who was talking with. Look here,
porter, can't you get me seat in the other
carp"