The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-03-26


Certain Republican papers, supposed
to know all about the trials and tribula-
tons OF the President-elect, say that he
is just now graphing with one which
taxes his patience and ingenuity more
than any of its predecessors; and,
singularly enough, it is non-political.
The public is aware that when the
Hayes family took possession of the
White House, everything in the shape
of stimulants stronger than tea and cof-
fee was banished from the Presidential
board. The thirstiest caller was not
invited to interview the decanter, and
the foreign diplomatic who had been &C.
customed to his daily wine from child
hood was compelled to 60 through
long State dinner on water-power only.
While the credit of this new departure
was given to both members of the do
nestle firm. it was generally under
stood in Washington that Mrs. Hayes
was the prime mover, and that Mr..
Hayes yielded only under protest. In
liable authority, that the latter not only
does not object to moderate indulgence
in ardent spirits by others. but occa-
sionally INDUCES himself -when away
from home; and that the rules estab-
lished at his own table are not binding
upon him at table not his own. But
be this as it may, the Executive Mansion
during the last four years has set an
example of total abstinence from all
that can intoxicate which the friends of
that species of reform have enthusiastic-
ally applauded; and as testimonial of
their appreciation and admiration they
have started q subscription for life
size portrait of Mrs. Hayes to be hung
mp in the famous East room forever.
Naturally enough, too. they are asking
this question: "Will Mr.. and Mrs.
Garfield 90 and do likewiseP" And it
is this question, vigorously poked at
him by letter, and private populations,
which is vexing the soul of the gentle
man at Mentor. Mr.. Garfield, like Mr..
Hayes, takes little now and then. but
unlike Mr.. Hayes, is quite willing his
guests should have the same liberty. In
other words, he is not disposed to en-
force the Maine law in the White House;
yet he does not want to ALLEVIATE the
temperance people by abolishing it
there. He would be glad to compro-
mise, but compromise is impossible.
The temperance people are as - stall
wart" in this matter as the other stall
warts are in regard to the Southern
policy of the new Administration. They
insist that the table and sideboard rule
of 1877-81 shall be adopted in 1875,
and that not drop of the juice of
grape, corn or rye shall be allowed ex-
cept for medicinal purposes.
So the case stands at present. Mr..
Garfield has not fully decided what he
will do. and is sorely perplexed in COM
ing to decision. Cabinet construction
is easy compared to it, for if one piece
of timber does not suit he can put in
another; but it must be total abstinence
or nothing. If the former, he will dis
please himself and three-fourths of those
whom he entertains. and if the latter.
he is sure to provoke q storm of anti
alcoholic wrath. From the best OBJ
tainable information on this inter esting
and important subject the probabilities
are that the rule Of 1877-81 will be sus-
pended on and after the 4th prox; at
least for all dinners to which company
is invited. At any rate it is rumored
that Mr.. Garfield leans toward mildly
spirituous regime. and that while still
open to conviction, it will require q
prompt and vigorous advance of the
temperance army to hold the fort SO
gallantly held by the Hayses.-Sk Louis
Republican.