The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-03-02
"a CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE.
How u Washington Business Man Gave
President Hayes Political s!POints.
Correspondence of the Graphicl

Correspondence of the Graphic,]
WASHINGTON, February 16.-One of our
most popular and enterprising business men
was in New Jersey several weeks ago, and got
into the train to come horne. The paIlor car
was crowded, but the porter said:
"Take your seat anywhere, sir, for a few
minutes. Some of these passengers get out
soon, and then / viii! give you a seat"
My friend entered the car and without GER
emory seated himself beside a stranger, who
was reading a New York morning paper. Ny
friend is a 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 a very sociable man, a stalwart
Republican and pretty well up on politics.
The stranger laid down his paper pretty
soon, and eng ged in conversation with Peters
on the topics of the day. Business, specula-
ton and other matters were discussed, and
very naturally the conversation ran into poll
tics, 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.
SONY temporarily was the strangers re-
ply, and lie proceeded to explain that he was
in office.
What part of the country are you from ?"
"Lots of Ohio men around Washington
since Hayes came in?' remarked Peters, with
a smile.
"Yes,' replied the stranger; Ohio peo-
for the whole country
Modest folks you Ohio men," said Peters
again; got the President, General of the
Army, Chief Justice, Secretary of the Treas
ury, and about half the Offices, and now you
want to nominate another Ohio man for
President. DC you think John Sherman
stands any chance of being nominated ?'
81 really don't like to express an opinion
on that subject, - replied the stranger prompt
~. 'Secretary Sherman is a friend of mine,
and | would like very mnch to see him Presi-
dent, but | cannot estimate his strength"
"They say Hayes is giving him a big lift
suggested Peters.
No reply.
81 understand that Civil Service order.
about otiiceholhers foolins with political con-
ventions. has been temporarily Withdrawn, 50
that john Sherman can get the Southern del
egates to Chicago" said Peters.
"A great many things have been said 10y
Secretary Sherman's opponents that are
neither true nor reasonable answered the
stranger, somewhat sharply.
"Well. | like to see Hayes stand by his
triends,' remarked Peters, but if that Civil
Service order ever was intended to be ell
forced, it oughtlo be enforced now, while the
fight for tile 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 alwaSs for ru-
form when they are out Of Office. 1t never
made any difference with the political machln-
cry of this country, and ii was never intended
to-
"The President was sincere in issuing that
ORDER" said the stranger. and | happen to
know that lc desires its e~niGrcement."
~ hope he isn't lying awake nights tlettimg
about it, remarked Peters.
The stranger changed the topic of CONVEX
sation, and pretty soon Peters asked if he
wouldn't smoke. The prottered cigar was de-
clincd, 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. a. believe
he is an 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 Adj
ministration man. Says he wants John Shel-
man nominated, and seemed a little touchy
when | said that Hayes Civil Service reform
business was a humbug. He said he knew
Hayes was sincere, and all that"
"Don'L you know who he is ?"
"No; | never saw him before"
"Never saw the President of the United
Stateso:'
""Holy Moses. is that Hayes"
eyes:
"YOu don't tell me. ] thought | knew the
man, but it didn't occur TO me that it was
Hayes"
"What did you say to him ?"
"Nothing but what I'll back up, and moth
inu Int What &c trr,o lint NAV ha wnull NOT
have expressed my views so clearly if / had
known who | was talking with. 10 * here
porter, can't you get me a seat in the 'ther
car &