New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-25
INCIDENTS Nv WASHING7ON
THE MAN FROM ARKANSAS.
HOW A STERN OFFICIALS HEART WAS MOVED 10
rpy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI


Tpr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
w.eu,Scrov Dec 24-Whie the Civil Service
Reform debate was going on in the Senate, DAY OF
t,Vo aoo q number of gentlemen sat tOgether Oh
one Of the Senate sofas discussing the pracueai
side of the subject and especially the importunites
of of1ice-seekers. Congressman HIT, Oh lhhois
formerly Assistant Secretary of state, was one Oh
the group and he told "a story.
Among the crowds which thr0nged the ante
rooms of the State Department seeking for Consul
ships at the beginning of General Gartelds Admin
istration there came a man of modest patient de-
lneanor who hailed from Arkansas.
tie aspired to be Consul at some unimportant
point, and had secured the Endorsement of a num-
Der of Congressmen who vouchcd for the excellence
of his record as a soldier The one which
appealed to the sympathies of the Assistant Secre
tary before whom the matter came primarily for
decision. He was, however unable to take action
for several weeks. The man was daily visitor at
the Department, and as it seemed to the kind
hearted official was growing seedier ard leaner as
the weeks passed by. Toward the end of May, as
the man entered the Office one day, Mr.. Hit said;
'You have been hers long time, have you notT
The man hung his head and meekly admitted that
he had.
Now tell me truly said the Assistant Secretary,
haven't you been here since the 4th Of March,
seeking this office p The applicant bushed and,
after moments hesitation. admitted that he had
been in Washington since the inauguration of tho
new Administration.
Have you wife ~
Yes"
"And you have her Lerc. too, have you not =
The answer was whisper in the affirmative
And have you children Z"
Yes, SIR"
How MANY ~
-Four"
"And you have had them here all this time, TOO
wife and children-have you not ~
Tears chOlled the voice of ths poor inal as ho
verified the Assistant Sccretary's suspicious.
"Well now,p said Mr. Hit, his symparhies for the
misguided fellow overcoming his customary official
reserve. 81 will make you promise which nave
made TO no other applicant. Bnt on one condition.
If YOU take your wife and children and start for
home tomorrow VIII make your case special one,
and will see the President personally about IL
duril e the week"
The applicant heaved sign, reflected a moment
and with choking voice asked if he mghG not return
the nextday NO." said the Assistant Secretary
90 You have been here too long already. will do
as 1 have said, but only on the condition that you
20 to your home Tomorrow"
The applicant again reflected. and pleadlngly
asked to be allowed TO come once more
"No SIR" said the official. You have your
fate in your hands Go home, | do nothing IN
your case" 1he man turned slowly on his heel,
heaved a sigh and with his hand Oh the dOoT-knOb
said he would think of 1t.
Just at the moment the door was pulled open
from without and local reported entered. The re-
porter ana the 0tfice-secker Galuted each other
familiariv with Hello, Bob; "How are you, Tomi
as the one passed in and the OF her went out.
What,n quered the Assistant Secretary. adj
dressing tue reporter; do you know that man from
Arkansas ~
:" Man from ArkanSasw repeated the reporter,
with an infection indicating surprise and aInuse-
in the Pension Office; his wife keeps boarding
house on Est. lve known 'em for eleven years /;
used TO board with EN-"