Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-26
LOOSE lUNATICS.
AFew Specimens of white House Gail.

ers.
WAsHINGToS, March 25.-The crank sea-
son seems to have fairly opened at the
White House. Friday no less than four
put in an appearance, demanding to see
the President on various topics. Some
wanted appointments, others had special
mission to perform. One OF the latter
class gave his name as John Meehan. He
announced himself as "Guitesu H." How
is that?" asked the doorkeeper, to whom
he thus presented his intrusting creden-
tials.
well, that's what they call me. he an
swered," and l want to see the Presi.
dent"
What do you want of the President"
We'll, he answered slowly; ~ want to
tell him about Secretary Stanton. You see
the fact is Stanton was murdered. He never
committed suicide, as was supposed. He
was killed, and know the names of his
murderers. i want TO talk with the Presi-
dent about it'-and he made break across
the vestibule and had nearly succeeded in
entering the hallway leading to the Presi-
dents dining room before he could be stop
pei and brought back.
Suppose you wait little and let US see
whether the President can see you now
said the doorkeeper.
well, think ought to see him, for it
is an important matter he pleaded, "and
the memory OF good man like Stanton
ought to be cleared up OF such charge as
suicide"
He Carried q Large Family Bible
under one arm and an old blank book filled
with accounts under the other. He was
tall and lank and unshaved. His clothes
showed that he was a painter by occupa-
tion. The blank book was partly filled with
rude sketches of half man, half ghost.
These are the men that told me these
things" he said. Don't you see il IS writ
ten here just what they told me. And here
have the Bible with me to prove it by,
too" The doorkeeper good naturedly
argued for some time with him on the sub
ject, showing him that it would scarcely be
opportune to see the President now, and
that be had better write to him than at
tempt to see him in person.
II think in an important matter like
this ought TO see the President myself"
he said, in dissatisfied way, as he finally
withdrew. This is too important matter
to write about"
While he was yet talking well dressed
woman came 10 the door.
sShe's Another Crank"
said one of the doorkeepers, as another
went TO meet her and head her Off" TO
prevent her marching up TO the Presi-
dents rooms. She wanted office. She
brought with her a paper giving state
ment Of dates at which she had called upon
the President, Secretary Folger, Assistant
Secretary New and others, and the dates at
which she had been promised position
and by whom. 1t closed with an appeal
for the fulfillment of some OF these prom
les, stating that she was in great want and
her baggage held for board.
This is the second time she has been
here to-day" said the doorEeeper. There
have been at least four here to-day, and
only little over hall the day gone yeL."
AS a rule the callers of this sort are
harmless, and easily managed. The door
keepers, exoerienced men as they are,
easily put them off with promises to lay
their case before the President, or by ap-
visiting them to write statement and
send il TO him. Occasionally one of
them is inclined TO be demonstratiye,
but the deOrkeepers and their assistants
Soon quiet Them
and get them out of the way. As rule,
these visitors and their visits are ma6e
subject for Jest, and are not looked upon as
a serious matter, yet the rapid increase OF
this class, and the difficulty OF guarding
the President and other high officers from
them at all times, makes the subject very
serious one. The increase of insanity in
the past few years, as shown by recent pub
LEGATIONS of the Census Bureau, appears to
be very great. According to this state
ment the number of insane person per
thousand population in the United States
has doubled in the past ten years. This
statement is probably somewhat in excess
of the real facts, as the inquiries in the last
census were much more searching than on
former occasions, but at best it seems that
the per centsge of insane persons in the
population of this country must have in
creased very materially. 1t is a startling
fact that out of our 50.0OO,0O0 OF people
over one half million or per cent. of the
population, are either insane idiots, deaf
mutes or blind, are suffering Imprisonment
for crimes committed, or are inmates OF re-
tOrmatories or poor houses.