New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-06
The PRESIDENT OFF FOR FLORIDA.
LITTLE DEMONSTRATION ALONG TIE LINE.
AN INCREDULOUs CONDUCTOR WHO WANTED SAT so
FROM THE PARTY.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WELDON, n. g., April 5.--The President left
Washington this morning his Southern trip by
the 1125 fast mail trau The time of starting had
several times been fixed within fortnight, but as
often something iutervened to prevent until yester-
day, when Postal Agent Jameson sent instructions
along the line to his sub-agcnts to have the way
cleared Provisions were then ordered and the
special train was put in readiness. The President
at the station III Washington certainly did not have
the carcworn appearance that for a month past had
been made the pretext for journey into a less
asthmatic climate. The stolidity of the Zulu King
with his recent religious interviewer could not
have been more stsking thln the absence Of ner-
vousness or pallor or underlined eyes in the Presi-
dent as no stepped from his carriage. as neat and
trim from his tailors, his face flushed with gentle
excitement if not with health, and his eyes clear
and bright. G. K. Miller, the Presidents
friend from New-York, reached the station
with HIM. did also Private Sec
retary Phillips. Secretary Chandler who
was to be OF the party, had arrived few minutes
earlier, as had First Assistant Postmaster-General
lattou, upon whom will deyoye the duty of mold
ing up the country in the Presidents absence.
The President had arrived ten minutes ahead of
starting time. Mr.. Chandler and Mr.. Hatton met
hm at the inner gate and there the party stood The
c;sfOl VIC OI tHo
road a pIain-looking structure OF polished terra
Gotta shade, was near By, attached to the regular
train. Scarcely moIe than a score of persons were
ia that part Of the station when the President en-
tered, but gathering soon formed, and when the
first sig al bell rang hands were extended to the
President from all Sides Albert, tho old
White House eoachman being the last TO leave his
chief. The President discarded his clOse-iitting
coat upon entering the car for u loose and his
silk hat Tor of white felt, aud settling himself
IN comfortable chair lent an attentive ear to Mr..
Chandler whose designation Of landmarks aud
"reminiscences thereon occupied pleasantly the
greater part of the day. The time for tho start not
having had much of an advance announcement
there was practically no demonstration along the
line until Petersburg reached at o'clock.
There were not more than dozen persons ut tho
Alexandria station, all ignorant apparently OF any
thing out of the usual run in connection with the
trp At Woodbridge, IN hour out from Washing
ton. norhbOund train was met with passengers
crowded on the platforms. but there was no cheer
lug Que hundred persons possibly were ut the
Richmond station. There had been crowd there
yeste day, but to-day no one knew tnat the Presl-
dent was TO be on the train. lie sat at window.
the curtain of which raised during the stop OF
ten minutes and there was some stir Of interest
there was a gathering aloag the track. Hats were
touched and slight cheering followed.
The event of the daylight part Of the trip occurred
on the train between Petersburg aud Weldon, n.
c. The conductor over this portion of the road had
received no instructions regarding the President,
aud after passing through tho regular part or the
tram he entered tue special and called Tor tick
cts. Mr. Philips Thought there must he mistake,
but the conductor took nut his book aud calculating
for eighteen persons, the number OF chairs III
for eighteen persons from Petersburg 10 " ei60n.
The Presidents hand reached for q wallet III bis
pocket when Joe " Green the porter in charge #
the car. produced ills authority for conveying the
President TO Jacksonville This dld not satisfy the
scrupes of the conductor, who finally consented,
however, 10 make inquiries 1T the next telegraph
station, with tue Understanding that fares would
be paid ut Weldon unless the conductor should bo
otherwise instructed. AT Belieid he received tho
necessary n~tru tons.
WIIMINGToN, y. c., April 5-At GOldsbor0, which
was reached at $50, there was huge bonfire 1t
the station and Il large gathering OF persons
who were demOusrative, cheering and calling
Justify Tor his appearance. but ho was engaged ut
dinner, ami seemed OblvOus OF all else. mis-
understanding ut Washington interiered somewhat
with The complee encss ol this dinner. The White
House steward hal ordered last night loo OF
delicacies tor the car which he corr city
an,icipated would not otherwise Oe i'll th" larder
Ihey were not delivered at the car, buV o teleera m
the tram early III tine afternoon saying that
tils good things mad gone 10 the White House.
This set the cook III u t9ntrum, ara at klcn-
mond he impressed upon the telegraph operator
the Importance of having the order tlled at Peters
burg but Petersburg was not equal to such daint-
ness nor was Weldon and the cook bad tn serve Ills
evening dishes minus the palataole reshcs.