Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-09
A Card.
TO PRESTON B. PLUMB.

Sir:-On the 9th OF last month called at the
Fifth-avenue Hotel In New York to see several gen.
tlemen staying there. While waiting in the pub
lie room sat on a settee partly occupied by you.
At the time took my seat you were talking with
gentleman standing by your side. When he left
we entered into conversation about Senator Nor
rlls proposition to raise a commission TO revise
the tariff, which favored. You said you were in
favor OF reducing the tariff on Bessemer steel at
once, so as TO benefit companies engaged in con-
structing railroads. as they were now compelled to
pay too high for steel rails. remarked that 1t
would be difficult to secure legislation any one
interestthat all interests must go together in the
same act.
In the course OF the conversation you said you
mad quit going 10 the departments TO ask places
for your constituentS-tnat your state had been
badly used by the departments and by the govern
ment printing office. l replied that there were
gentlemen from Kansas employed in the office, but
aid not know how many; and that, like all other
employees they are subject to Through when it be-
comes necessary to reduce the force, without re-
gard TO the state to which they belong.
This is the substance of the only conversation
we ever had in New York.
On my attention being called to paragraph in
paper published in this city, addressed you the
following note:
WASHINGTON, January 5, 1882.
Hon. p B. Plumb
SIR find the following in the Republican of
Too LATE Too LATE!
senator Plumb, OF Kansas, usually goes to the
point at once, and seldom beats about the bush
"nen there is occasion for an expression OF OpI-
ion. During the holidays the Senator WAS in New
York, and while reading morning paper in his
hotel one morning he was approached by one john
ID. DereeS, who, with his usual obseQuiOuSneSS
when desiring a favor said:
WY, how do you do, Senator? 1t is tadeed
Il very great pleasure TO meetyOu here. How have
you been?'
The Senator finished his paragraph and looked
Whats the matter, old man? You are not so
affable when l meet you in Washington. You
must want something. You're too late; can't do
The Oil fellow SUNK off and left the Senator to
finish his paper.
Can it be possible that you furnished the above
Let me know, SO that 1 may give the Infamous
fai5ehood proper attention.
10uiS, &c, JNO. d. DEFREES.
To which you replied as follows:
81 can't recall that ever mentioned any CONVEX
Sat0n held With you, and certainly never did I'M
less in the merest casual manner, and to no news
paper man.
b. PLUMB"
or course this answer was not satisfactory, and
addrt sSed You the following:
WASHINGTON. January 6. 1882
Hon. p B. Pys1nb.-SIR: In your note of yester-
day you say that you cannot recall that you ever
mentioned any conversation held with me, &C.,
VIII YOU please say whether or not the conversa-
ton published in the Republican, purportng to
have taken place between Us ever did take place?
Yours, &c, JOHN b. DEGREES.
To this you replied as follows:
81 Shall engage in no newspaper controversy.
The publication does not cal for attention from
me, and think not from you.
p. b. PLUMB"
No one asked you to engage in a newspaper con-
troverSy. You were simply requested 10 say yes
or mo- TO question l had right to ask.
Your refusal to answer it is a confession OF your
quit. No one reading your above notes can
DOUBT the fact that you prompted the publication
OF the paragraph in the Relub{jcda. You thus
stand before all honorable men self-convictcd OF
having falsely bo2StCd that you had grossly IN
suited (W1thOut cause AMI in a manner becoming
tae lowest blackguard) man almost thirty years
older than yourself.
am very sure that those acquainted with me
VIII regard the paragraph rs lie its face, as
they know iii Il do not Crnga TO any one, ana
that such an insult would have been resented by
he on the spot. JNo. ID. DEGREES.
WARRINGTON, Janu try Z. 1882.