The Evening critic., 1882-04-28
THE CHUM CABINET.
A BIRD,s-EYE VIEW OF THE GANG.

A BlRD'S-Ef VIEW OF THE GANG.
Bliss a Kind of Orphan BOY at
Husising Froiic-The other Fellows
Don't Like Him Much, But Toier-
ate Him because He is Useful in
Doing Dirty Work for Them.
From an Occasional Correspondent of the Chi
cago Tribune.
WASHINGTON, d. O., April 2o.-Chums Muir.
ply, French and Wheeler came over from
New York on the same train few nights ago,
Chum Bliss having been left in charge. Muir.
ply, as n usual thing, Is constant at his dutles
though neither Wheeler nor French are want
ing in attention to the Administration Muir
ply is tho social character OF the Chum Cabl-
net. Evidence is not wanting how ably he
discharges his duties, even to the giving of
costly presents, raising salaries OF lone females
in Departments, and dispensing In variety of
ways hospitalltcs which, expensive as they
arc, the public do not see. They are, never
theless, presumed to be necessary to the ac-
complishment of objects as well as for the
personal enjoyment Of those members Of the
Chum Cabinet who live up to the motto GAS
we journey through life let us be jolly by the
way" That there is not a little that is Jolly
going on one can readily believe, even II there
were no other evidences than those which men
carry in their faces.
While Bliss BIabs.
chere annie, In Washington at least, cannot be
trusted not to give one away. And so things
Will come out and that, too, speedily. Not
n chum is safe; for seemingly what ought to
be kept longest and most secure is the first to
be set afloat. This is the source OF scandals
innumerable, and should chum be in the
case, of course all the greater is the inducement
TO spread thcm and so IL may easily be that
no costly gift or good turn by way of advanc-
ing the salaries of females In the Departments
can happen without sooner or later the whole
world knowing It,
AS has been said, Murphy French and
wheeler came over together on the train a few
nights ago. "There goes the Administration"
said man about town when they emerged
from the depot. 1t was
A MOnsfrOus FaIsehOOd.
Of course, and still there was an element of
truth in the observation. They say 1t would
be duh at the White House, when the impor-
tant affairs of theNation have been attended
TO, but for these chumS. Bliss thinks he is
one Of them, but IL IL true only in a qualified
sense. He possesses q certain degree OF use
fulness, and is let into Just so much only as
siding genius, though Wheelers sense is
most frequently effective. Tom has push and
audacity. 1t was he who with lady entered
the White House on the evening of the Prosi-
dents popular reception by way of the back
window. "Nothing new for Tom to come In
by the back window remarked dozen who
witnessed the performance, and the COM
panion appeared to be equal to the emergency.
Both knew how, and no one wondered, 1t
seem so natural.
"what are these gentlemen doing?" was the
question OF n New Yorker who was at the
Capitol lately. "The Lord only knows" was
the response. at must be something profta-
ble,' was the interjection Of n bystander.
"Wine and women are costly" was the re-
mark of a third. "And where does the money
come from? :, tho New York gentleman wanted
TO know. "Too much for anybody to tell
was the response, whereupon the New York
gentleman said: 81 only would be glad to
learn, for certain
Honest and Patient People
in my city naturally feel an interest In the
question. If, after paying the rate in Wash
1ngton, there should be any over, they would
be glad TO have some."
"Don't believe half these chums pretend, ~
remarked resident with good opportunities
for an opinion. "They pretend to more than
they have right, and are nuisance to the
President. What they blow at the Arlington
OF what is going on at the White House is
nfne-tenths fraud. l grant you the other
tenth should not be true,if 1t is. OF the win
ing and dining there, these men know actually
little they pretend. There is enough of 1t,
you may depend. Arthurs modes are moi
yet TO say about the matter, only these frauds
should not be permitted to exploit theiI
familiarity with the President without expos
how is not nv business. though iTna nav have
curiosity. Wine and women ? They might;
Tom Murphy might quit them In Washington.
New York ought to be large enough field
Department Females Are Immensely
Obliged to Him
for the good turns he gives them, such as Tho
| advancing OF salaries and the sundry othel
| comfortable favors, while many deserving
| persons wait for appointments and are con
tfnually told there is no place." These chums
| possess immense influence in the Departments
| besides advantages as operators In the lobby
| Their supposed nearness to the President en-
| ables them TO effect more with a wink or a noe
than fifty men without the smell of the White
House on their garments. Bliss is entitled Il
| have 1t said that he don't do much in tho
lobby. His pay of 500 day satisfies him
| for II is certain TO come whether 1t rains OF
shines. Bliss is a confirmed barnacle ant
will never let go, but will stick and gnaw til
he is knocked on. 1t will cost an effort to ge
Star Route cases have Just begun and witt
the air OF n devoted public servant declares h
| Brady and the kest
| twenty years II need be. He can afford to d
| ii at 500 day and all expenses paid out o
the Treasury. Bliss points to the wheelbarro'
load of papers TO prove what he has done an,
| how much there is yet to be done. Brady (
| Co. may be great scamps, but what Is Bliss
Brewster will find the time near, II II has no
already come, when the load Of respons lbilit.
| Will bear heavily on his shoulders. Wheeler
| the chum, Is blowhard, and finds little diffl
| Guilty in making his way. French is still
sow that gets share Of the milk by instinct
Could Arthur cease the wagging of thei
tongues 1t would be a good thing for him
Better than all would 1t be were they to retur
TO New York and then take themselves Off tn
Presidents back. He shows weariness
whether from the cares of State or the strai
OF the
superb HOspitalities
dispensed at the White House is more an
more question. If only a small part is tru
Of what these chums cause TO be believed, al
pearances should cause no wonder. OF cours
the I7i6nne can have an interest in the fact
no further than the public welfare and tn
fame OF the nation is concerned. Whatever
true OF the first citizen Of the Republic Is gra
flying or not, according TO the fact. The pul
| lie naturally turn TO the Tribune to be II
formed and in this, ms In other matters COZ
cerning which the public have a right TO i
instructed, there need be no fear OF disal
pointment.
Tangled Question, I'm which IN
Government In Interested.
A PAINTING Is TIE CAPITOL BUILDING WHO
Is EITHER AN INFRINGEMENT on AN ADYE