Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-08
WAITING In TIE ANTE-ROOM.
Senator Beck and the Louisville
Committee Call on the Presi.
dent-Mr. Evans Sends Up HIS
Gard.
Special to Commercial Gazette.


WAsHINGToN, August 5.-If the
statements in the Louisville press that
Senator Beck was snubbed at the
Presidents reception in Louisville are
true, no one will regret it more than
the President himself. The latter
recognized Senator Beck as the chief
man of those who came here to invite
him to the Exposition, and it was the
active part taken by Senator Beck in
the movement to secure his attend.
ance that had much to do with his
acceptance.
There 10 another reason why the
President will regret any such occur
renee as is reported, which is based on
an awkward mistake which was made
at the Soldiers Home when the Ken
lucky committee of invitation, at the
head of which was Senator Beck.
called on him by appointment, to
present their invitation, The COM
mittee was to meet the President at |
o'clock. just as it was leaving the
city to drive out to his quarters, Com
missioner Evans, then few days old
10 Washington, appeared and Joined
the party On arriving at the Soldiers
Home, Mr.. Evans went in first, and
sent card to the President. The
committee sat down in the reception
room, the members CONTEMPLATING
each other that by rapid driving they
had arrived so as not to keen the
President waiting. Half an hour
passed without word from Mr.. Ar.
thur. When an hour had gone the
stock of stories aud jokes with which
the members sought to conceal their
impotence were about exhausted, and
there were some i'll tempered crit,
cisms upon keeping gentlemen waiting
so long when they we're present by ap
pointment, and had been prompt to
meet it.
Alter an hour and q quarter the
patience Of all was about exhausted
and Mr.. Beck took occasion to express
himself quite emphatically in regard
to the treatment of gentlemen for
whom an appointment was made.
When, five minptes later, that is an
hour and quarter after Mr..
Evans sent up his card, the door
opened and the President en-.
tered, he looked around with
unmistakable surprise, and said:
Gentlemen, | had no idea there was
any one present but Mr.. Evans. "
Then ADVANCING and shaking hands
with Senator Beck, he again assured
him that he had not beeg iaieFmed
that his committee had arrived; that
ne had Only received the card of Mr..
Evans, and that if he had had the
least idea that the Louisville commit,
tee we're In waiting he would nave
seen them at once. TIE President
was evidently much annoyed over the
matter, and before the COMMITTEES left
ne was emphatic ia explaining the
matter, He had only received the
card of Mr. Evans, and supposed he
was alone. All this time Mr. Evans
was doing his only blushinS aimee he
entered public life.
When the committee withdrew Mr..
AvaRs insisted that while he had only
sent up his own card he told the mes
Senger who was with him. This will
always be a disputed point in .he
official history Of Commissioner Evans.
The President was very solieitous that
Senator Beck should understand that
he would net keep him in his reoep.
ton room without sending him any
word, as he had perfect right to keep
any official Of the government. So
that he will, without doubt, feel much
annoyed over the published statement
that the Senator was snubbed at the
louisville reception,