News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-04-27
OUR wAsH,scroNLErrER.
WASHINGTON, April "a, 1882

| w ASHlNGION, Aplll It, 1907
The contrasts in lips which are to
be found everywhere are nowhere more
noticeable than in Washington. Our
public is made up of classes extend
ing from the starving darkey in his
cabin, to the Cabinet Minister roll
ing by in his luxurious carriage. But
of all persons, the oftenest noticed is
the disappointed man. There are
more schemes and dreams wound up
and finished in Washington, than any
where else in the country. The sue
cessful office-seeker is one of ten or
hundred applicants; the rest are
variously disappointed. Some go to
the dogs, and few are sensible
enough to go to work. A forcible il
lustration came to me yesterday. A
wretched being, down at the heels,
unkempt, ashamed of himself, miser-
able, was passing up the Avenue,
when the really magnificent figure of
the President himself appeared before
him. He had known Mr.. Arthur in
better days, and tried to get by him
unnoticed. Something of pride was
left out of his dreary fortunes, and
he did not care to acknowledge what
his whole attire confessed, that he
was beaten in the battle of life. But
the President walked straight up to
him and took his hand and asked af-
ter his health, and left him with few
candid words of encouragement which
revived the spirits of the man. That
night saw him at newspaper office,
he had few verses, well written, full
of feeling, as we'll they might be. He
said he had slept in the streets for
four nights past, and had lived on a
crust. He only wanted enough money
for the paper to bring the price of
lodging, and then he was resolved to
do something again. l am glad to
say his fortunes look better to-day,
and especially so as he is man of
great talent, and was few years ago,
one Of the editors of the New York
Times. He pinned his faith to Hayes,
hoping to get an office, and failed.
We had reception number one at
the White House a few nights ago.
1t was revelation to me. L con-
cluded as the result of a struggle to
get into the Executive Mansion, that |
was one of lot of unmitigated villains.
Five thousand people scuffed and
pushed and fairly fought to get into
narrow doorway where two could not
we'll pass abreast. The crowd inside
filled almost all the space, and it was
hot beyond August weather When l
did get in and passed in review before
the President, General Grant and 9TH
er dignitaries, 1 am sure did not
make the impression my humble merits
deserve. They did not seem glad to
see me. No one said word of well
come. A we'll developed smile was
on Mr.. Arthur's face, but 1 felt that
il was barren mockery. / pressed
the hand held out, once, and passed on
with the rest Of the mob. / had i'm
posed on him, and knew it, and so
did he. Besides, had used up my
best suit,and was as tired as a field
hand. 1t is my last reception. /
now support the father of our coun-
try, dignified George Washington, in
his method, which was simply to stand
on platform and bow as the audience
passed. Unless the President can be
induced to lecture, know of no better
way to exhibit him.
The witness Shipherd, whose testi-
mony is the leading sensation, charg-
ing as he does ex-Secretary Blaine
and Mr.. Hurlbert, who died on his
way back from the Peruvian mission,
with attempting to get an undue adj
vantage of the GILLIAN government
and his Guano Company, is an awful
earnest man. His face grows livid
with passion as he recites his story.
In figure, he is thick set and rotund.
He has yellow hair and a leonine sort
of face with very large features. The
committee actually do not know
what to do with him. He refuses to
answer some questions, and the ex-
perience of Congress with recalci-
trants makes them hesitate to compel
him to speak. CLARIBEL.