The National tribune., 1883-10-11
SMALL TALK
About Men and Things

SMALL TALK
About Men and Things.
| met a friend of Mr.. Blaine's Yesterday, who
Tells me that the ex-secretary is somewhat
annoyed about his book enterprise. He says
he IS not making a task of it, but he has gotten
himself into strait which makes life bur-
den and work a source of dread and uneasiness.
bis publisher is erowding him for manuscript.
lie has been compelled, for the first time in his
Aife, TO undertake dictation to a stenographer,
instead OF writing pen in hand. Through all
ms busy public career he was never in the
habit OF debating his letters as most officials
do even to the maiden Congressman from the
back woods He either had his secretaries
answer his letters, presenting them to him to
sign, or else he sat down and responded in his
own hand
There are apprehensions among his friends
that his book will be failure He is doing
the work too hastily, and, as he is writing about
contemporary events, any mistakes he may
make viii be picked up at once by the review
ers. His political friends would much prefer
that he should have postponed his book-writing
for year, at any rate.
Within the last week reports have found
their way into print to the effect that General
Hancock was really in danger of death from
various troubles which were said to affiiet him
Major Barr, Secretary LincoIn's military secre-
tary, has just returned from a visit to Gov
ernor's Island, where he saw General Hancock
The major was with Hancock all through the
war and knows him thoroughly. The old vet
eran was in bed but, far as could be seen by his
visitor, looked in the flower of health. He told
the major how he happened to be on his back.
lie was crossing the bay in one of the small
boats they use to ply back and forth between
the island and the city, and he was thrown
against the guard by sudden lurch. His
knee was SO badly bruised that an abcess
formed. The doctor thought best to lance it
and put him to bed for it to heal and to keep
the knee still He was doing well and expected
to be up again in a few days.
m%~
1t is reported that Uncle John" Roach. the
veteran ship-builder, desires to retire from the
active management of the business To bring
this about he proposes, it is said TO issue bonds
at five per cent. to whoever may desire to pur-
chase, and let the bondhoders elect directory
and run the business just as railroad or bank
is managed. As for himself, he will put the
money received for his bonds into Govern
ments, clip the coupons every quarter and
rest on the laurels of his past life throughout
the balance of his days.
A very pretty picture-if he can only fad
purchasers for his bonds.
Several business men were discussing the
depression in railroad stocks yesterday. One
suggested that when things were ready for a
turn Vanderbilt would step in and begin buy
ing, which would put up the market and make
him few more millions mo" said another.
" know Vanderbilt and have for many years.
He has reached that point in life when a man
loses interest IN making money. He begins TO
feel the weight of human infrmities, and is in
constant fear that he is going to die. He has
a combination of troubles and is fast breaking
down. That is the real explanation of his
sudden retirement from the management of
his great railroads. They have no charm for
him when compared with existence itself.
Vanderbilt is high hver-a man who, of all
others, likes life. He will never again be felt
in gigantic money operations. So far as Wall
street is concerned he is dead now"
Lieutenant Garlington's friends express the
utmost confidence IN his ability to emerge
from the investigation of the failure of the
Greely relief expedition with entire credit
He is native of South Carolina, and has been
famous during his short career in the army as
gallant officer and high-minded gentleman.
He was graduated from West Point, and was
assigned to the Seventh cavalry the summer of
the Custer massacre. He had Just taken the
usual graduation leave when the news of the
disaster came. He asked to have his leave re-
voked and to be sent at once TO his regiment.
Ever since that day he has seen active duty of
the most rigorous character.
1t is understood that Secretary Teller will
oft frlh have f@,,
effect the proposed consolidation of the Indians
of Washington Territory this winter He had
a bout with Chief Moses and finally con-
vinced that accomplished rascal that he had
a man to deal with whom he could not hum
bug. Some years ago he came with his feathers
and buckskin shirt for big talk with the
aesthetic Schurz. To this gentleman he offered
to be a barbaric emperor. and he arranged with
him to rule all the Indians of the northwest
coast. When he returned their anonted king
by the grace or Sehur2, the sayages laughed at
him. he was recognized as chief of his own
band-never exceeding two hundred-iust as
before his new crown was placed upon his
brow. He got mad at Secretary Teller a year
ago and refused to receive a communication
from him at all unless transmitted through the
War Department. He came TO Washington and
began q talk with the assertion that he was
chief of all the tribes west of the mountains
Mr.. Teller brought him up short He told
Moses that he was chief of only such Indians
as recognized him as chief and no more. This
lFas q new revelation to the old fellow and
completely broke his spirit. By the time they
had talked an hour or two he was entirely
stripped of the nonsense put in his head by
Schurz, and ready to agree to behave himself
He promised to go ON his reservation. 1t will
cost about 100000, it is said, to move the In
dians and put up their houses on their new
places, rs was agreed, provided they would go
to the territory set apart for them.
Captain Baldwin of General Miles staff, is
expected to be in Washington this winter, as 10
is personally acquainted with the wants of the
Indians, and the steps necessary to be taken to
settle the question of their location in Wash
ington Territory.
The address of Comrade Edwin A. Lewis,
manager of the very popular war drama. "New-
borne; or, The Old Flag may be found in our