The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-31
interviews with Prominent Officials Prove
that They Have Nothing to Say
Upon the Subject"
The Manner in Which Ex-Congress-
men Ask for Government Office.
Ochiitree Gets His Salary and Perquisites-
The District of Columbia Commits
siOners-G General and Personal.
THE WAR WITH ENGLAND.


The journal Correspondent Obtains Some
Valuable Information.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON March 30.-When a man
starts out to find war with England he
must expect to have hard time of it, es-
pecially on a sloppy day. There was never a
worse day for war with England than that
chosen by your correspondent.
The New York Sun has stated the main
facts about the war, but it appeared later
that they were all wrong with the exception
of the one statement that Secretary Freling-
huysen said
81 have nothing to say upon the subject"
With this much vouched for, there seemed
to be ample warrant for pursuing the war.
In the language of.diplomacy, II have moth
ing to say upon the subject means, literally
translated, There will probably be war
with England before next Wednesday after
noon, and certainly before the LIST of next
July"
1t seemed best, in going for the war with
England to take in all the departments that
lay in the line of march, and as the Treasury
came first, and as Mr. New was the first one
to be found who would be authorized to say
anything about the war, he was asked to
state what facts he had and write down those
that he gathered later
II have nothing to say upon the subject"
be began, but seeing that his manner had
betrayed his knowledge of the war, he
fastened to say that, being Good Friday, he
would be day late with the Treasury con-
tingent; he had noticed, to his great astonsh-
ment on that day, that the clerks were all
either Catholics or Episcopalians, and their
devout attention to worship prevented the
organization of his forces. There was one
circumstance, however, that betrayed the
fact that the Assistant Secretary was prepar-
ing for the war with England. Old Colonel
Worthington, the shirtless hero of Camp
Dennison, was sitting opposite him, pointing
out with his crutch the strong points on
greasy map, which showed how he
saved Sherman at Shiloh; they dropped their
voices to a confidential, ust-before-the-battl
tone, and it was manifestly improper to fur
Their linger. 1t was more than improper--it
seemed to put one in the attitude of being a
spy employed by England.
The only other man in the department was
General Raum He was found in the room of
Fifth Auditor Alexander, and said frankly:
II have nothing to say upon the subject"
There is one circumstance, however, that
tends to make his bureau the most important
one of the entire department at this time
1t has leaked out that what whisky there is
in bond is to be exported, ostensibly to save
time in paying the tax, but really to
furnish England with liquor enough to in
toxicate the navy and deliver it drunk and
helpless into the hands of ireland. This can
not be done unless Raum determines to take
sides with Finerty.
Reaching the Department of State a bald
headed colored man was found singing
something about waiting till the clouds
roll by" Selling upon this apparent allu-
sion to the war with England the interroga-
tory was let slip.
81 have nothing to say upon the subject
the man said, and resumed his patient
waiting till the clouds roll by.
Secretary Frelnghuysen was not in
While the bald-headed janitor was waiting
for the clouds to roll by, the Secretary was
evidently up and doing.
Assistant Secretary Davis said:
81 have nothing to say upon the subject
but, taking a package of papers from his
vest pocket, he added: 81 was looking for
you, and have here collected the correspond
ence between this country and Great Britain
on the subject. You can print it confden-
TALLY, and say that you knocked me down
and tore it from my hand" Then he re-
ferred to copy of the old song "Sword of
Bunker HILL" and musingly repeated: Tore
it from my hand; yes, the quotation is cor
rectly made"
The correspondence, in full, is as follows
[Confdential.I
Hon. W. E. Gladstone-Will you fight, by cable
or telephone, if VIII bind myself to keep Robin
son and Finerty out OF the scrimmage2
ARTHUR A. CHESTER.
P.s.-My real name can be had at the count
ing-room.
To this the reply came
West, Minister-Te the Emperor of America
that England will do nothing until the Queens
knee gets well. Tell Flnerty and the other man
to go bragh GLADSTONE
Hurrying over to the Navy Department,
the first thing noted was preparation for
war on an iron starpost. 1t was a bristling
fantail arrangement to prevent England from
climbing around the pillar after the lock
ing of the lattice-door at night Noting
the readiness of the American people when
menaced, and hurrying on, Mr., Chandler
was soon found, apparently trying to re-
concile widow and grizzly mariner. He
came out and remarked that:
II have nothing to say upon the subject
Int tA bnn clyn1