New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-28

OF officials and clerks of all grades hear the latest
news from the White House. and to discuss its bear
ing upon the Presidents slender chances for life, is
such that all but the essentials OF work apt to
| be pushed aside. In almost every Office in the
| different Departments, groups of men may be seen
talking earnestly together and questioning every
| newcomer for the latest Tho Secretaries are
absent much of the time, being called frequently to
the White House by their anxiety to learn whether
there has been any Improvement in the Presidents
condition; and thus the Departments have more
than the usual appearance of inaction, duness and
inactivity.
high Government Official speaking to-day of the
extent of feeling manifested here the Presi-
dents suffering and danger said it was something
entirely exceptional in the history of such events
1t very different from the feeling to be expected
from officials when the chief parsonage of the Gov
ernment was lying at deaths door. In him all
would have general and genuine interest. But
with General Garfield the case was different. lie
had been living in Washington for twenty years,
and was personally known to many men in almost
every Department He had been n poor man, and
had lived in boarding houses. Many of them had
boarded in the Same house with him. They knew
him now, not only the suffering President,
but old friend who had not only
| their affection but their admiration by the
| brilliant success of his career In this way the
attack on General Garfield came home to
large number of the Government employees rs n per-
sonal atiiction; and 1T was not strange, rs hope
grew less that such gloom should settle down
upon the city. Another thing had served to in
| tensfy these feelings People had found, in the
three months of his active Presidency that he
probably the most gentle, the most amiabe, and The
most accessible of all our Presidents, except Lin
coin =" the other murdered man." the speaker added
in sad voice.
| In this way the suffering of the President has
brought n common sorrow to the people of Wash
ington, such it has brought no other city and
the proof of it can be in the grave faces to be
met at almost every turn of the street, and the
anxious looks of those who wait in the White House
and about the gates for news. Yet the casual
visitor to Washington, knowing how intense the ex-
citemcnt is throughout the country with respect to
the President. would probably be surprised to find
how lfelcss and listess Washington seems to be-
But 1t is vacation time, and Washin gton like most
other American capitals, loses its life with its
Legislature. Congress and the supreme Court are
not in session. and many Department officials are
also out of town. Except for the groups of news
paper correspondents on the steps of the White
House and the patient crowd at the gates
there are no signs of excitement about the Execu-
tive Mansion. But The stream of callers among
those who have passes to the White House itself
runs steadily through the gate all day long
Official bulletins are posted up all over the city
within few minutes after they have been issued,
and the newsboys cry extras through every street
until late at night.
gcntemNn in high Office said 20 .day that Que Of
the most interesting features of this general SYM
pathy was the way in which the Cabinet had been
brought together. Probably no Cabinet he said.
has ever been drawn closely into personal rela-
tons ~ this one Every night little knot of ear
rages stands in front OF the White House portico
They the carriages OF tie members OF the Cabi-
net, who have with heir wives 10 spe,,d the
evening aud 20 try by their talk to help Mrs Gar
Hali l.,.. I.,l
ten or half-past tea o'clock, chatting ON various
subiccts--not alwJy5 that ol The Presidents
suicring-aud try hraYcly tu cheer her up. When
they como ont from .h" White House, every mem
Der OF the Cabiunt Is at once say.ol,lcd ly half Il
dozen or more oorrespo dents wh' ask eagerly their
latest Impressions of the case Then t..y get into
their carriage, and drive away. Tho correspondents
disappear, and the White House is closed Tor the
night, while the crowd 1T thc gate still stands and
waits until the gates shut IN their faces Thee
daily and nightly meetings haSo brought the Cab-
net into degree of familiar association which
makes them almost like family; aud the death
OF the President If it finally occurs, will come homo
| TO them like 70 loss in their own circle"
story was told to-day which illustrates General
Garhcld's singular amabllity. which has no doubt
cost him something of the strength which would he
OF vast service TO him to-day; for the popular m-
preston that he was in the most vigorous health Mt
the time he was shot does not secm TO be correct
NIuch OF MS nervous force had been used UP under
the inroads of oflice-seelers The story is that
Attorney General MacNcagh entered the Presidents
room one day, and found il crowded with applicants
ana friends OF applicants, who werc IN turn pour
ing their stories into the Presidents ear. He was
listening to them, one after another, with great
courtesy, trying to avoid saying dsagreeablc
thngs ana yet avoid saying anything he could not
OF would not 1uill. Attorney General MacNcagh
noticed that he began to put his hand up to the
pack OF his head and held it there several minutes
at n time Suddculy tho Attorney General whose
manner Is always lnclsive said in distinct voice
nave an important communication to make 10
the PRESIDENT, and must ask the gentlemen present
10 retire" But the average American citizen
especially when he is after an Office does not takc
even that KIND OF n hint; it was tho Presidents
| room and not the Attorney Generals and they
showed little disposition at first to 20. Finally
however, the room was cleared and the President
turned TO the Attorney-General aud sad: Well
what Is the communication YOU have to Mako ~
Mr.. PRESIDENT, said he, tho communication !
have to maht ia that think You ought TO 60 to
bed You are evidently worn out and you
letting these mon kill You" The President laughed
ana took the Attorney Generals advice, and several
times aftcrward, in talking with friends lie referred
to the incident with amusement
GROUNDS FOR RENEWED HOPE
THE UNFAVoRABIE SYMPTOMS DUE NOW TO EX-
MISUNDERSTANDING IMPROVEMENT THROUGH
OUT THE DAY-sOIID FOOD PARrAKFN TIE FIRST
TIME IN TWO WEEKS.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-In the earlier stages of
the fresdents case. while his vitality was still
strong, and while the changes in his condition from
Dettcr 10 worse and from worse to better corres-