Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-04-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent.

Ex-senator Conkling was in the
city on the day of the Presidents
departure for Florida, but did not
go to the station to wish him
a pleasant journey. While his
feelings for the Administration
does not grow in kindness, the
published statement that he picked
up a rubber band from a desk in the
Interior Department Friday with
the remark that he guessed it was
all he should get of this Admins
tration is denied by those present
when the remark is alleged to have
been made. He did, however, in
dulge in a little characteristic sar-
casm. when rallied by friend on
his lack Of intimacy at the White
House. His friend said: at must
be hard for you to be snubbed by
you". "Oh no." said Conkling,
"think what it would be to be in
debted to him.. 1t is really a lit.
tie hard for Mr.. Conkling to adjust
himself to the fact that the machin-
cry of government still moves in
spite of his absence from the helm.
He showed in his stiff gait and in
clined figure unmistakable signs of
times rude touch, but he is always
an object of eager curiosity when
he appears oh the streets of Wash
ington.
Before reaching their destination.
the Presidential party was subject
ed to as many inconvenience as
ordinary travellers who 60 pleasure
ing. Their lunch was left in Wash
ingtOn, to their intense discomfort !;
conductor insisted upon collecting
their fares, not having been notifi-
ed that they were invited guests of
the railroad company, the car-coup-
ling broke and left the Presidents
car miles behind, before the acct
dent was discovered, thereby de-
laying the train. When they
reached Jacksonville they were es-
corted in carriages from the station
to the steamboat landing, amid a
salute of artillery and the cheers of
10000 citizens along the route.
The president is now the guest of
Henry Sanford whose residence is
on an island in Kissimee river,
while there, the party will fish and
hunt, and live in tents.
Advantage will be taken of Pres
ident Arthur's absence to complete
improvements at the White House.
The stained glass work in the
vestibule, the front doors and the
Presidents bed-chamber will re-
ceive attention. On his return he
will probably go to soldiers home
again, as he likes the place very
much, and has grown tired of living
in the house where he tranSacts his
business.
Secretary Folger has so much i'm
for a horseback ride Saturday after
noon. He has abandoned his trip
to Bermuda, and will now make
effort to discharge his pub
lie duties. There will be much
qualification in the Treasury De-
partment if he succeeds, for the
kindest feeling toward the Secretary
prevails among the clerks.
The civil commissioners have
been wandering homelessly about
the city looking for suitable exam
ination rooms. They abandoned
the idea of occupying the rooms in
the City Hall that were assigned
them, because there was not enough
money available for making the
necessary repairs, and besides they
were adverse to being located in the
City Hall while the star route trial
is in progress. From present indi-
cations the trial will last many
years after the civil service reform
questions has ceased to be an issue.
The commissioners are now negoti-
ating for what is known as the seed |
an annex of the Agricult-
ural Department. The location is |
far more desirable for the commiss-
5onerS in conducting their eXami- |
nations than the City Hall, being
beyond the noise and confusion of |
the business parts of the city. The
President took with him to Florida
therules prepared by the commits
and will study them during
his fishing intervals, or, perhaps
while waiting for bite. This was
the only thing relative to business
with which he was willing to bur-
den himself, having given the
members of his cabinet strict orders
not to trouble him with official bus
mess during his absence.
Apropos of the star route trial,
John w. Dorsey. a brother of. the
chief defendant, in his cross eXsmI-
nation, deviated from the path of
he ex-senator and Mr.. Vale, who
,wore to consistent integrity in
everything pertaining to star route
matters. John w. Dorsey admit
ed that he had done wrong once or
vice in his life, had sworn to con-
iicting adffidavits in relation to
.ertain routes. But then he
bought false swearing was among
he little peccadilloes that ought
lot to count. The cross eXamina-
ion of all the defendants has shown
hat the business of the ring from
he first led to, and circled around
J. w. Dorsey.
Washington, April 1888.