The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-27
A "REMINISCENCES OF HAYES.
Collector Simmons, of Boston, shelved Be
cause Mrs. Hayes Did Not Like Him.

Collector Simmons, of Boston, Shelved Be-
cause Mrs. Hayes Did Not Like Him.
Correspondence Philadelphia Press.
There are a good many Republicans who do
President is not without his admirers, while ms
good wife, who is often referred to as the real
President during the Hayes regime, left more
true friends behind when she went out OF
dies of the White House, who preceded
her. One of the first gentlemen 10
whom was introduced upon my arrival here, on
Saturday last, was Colonel 81. B. Hayes, cousin
to the exPresident, and as tiery kepuDican as
one meets with even in this red hot political at
mosphere. He lives near Boston, is very large
man, with snow-white hair and beard, and, by
way Of opening up conversation, said; =,
well, sir, how does the ex-President like
Blaine9a
20, pretty we'll You see Rutherford was for
Edmunds originally, but he is doing all in his
power for Blaine now. Yes yes, Ruth. was for
Edmunds originally answered the Colonel, and
he began to warm to politics without further mo-
tice.
docs he think Blaine will be electedlp
20, my, yes! Rutherford says Blaine will
carry Ohio by tremendous vote, He is very
popular in the Buckeye State"
what do you think, Colonel, Of Clevelandr
Yentured
cleveland is great big, british sort of
man. The Democratic party is always looking
for an available man, a popular man, and they
he is nominated. Then they find they have got
this sort of mana feshy, british sort of a
man. Why, sir, you know they blamed Ruther-
ford, when he was President, because he didn't
reappoint Simmons to the collectorsnip of
Boston. Now, I'll just give you the whole his
tory Of that fight You know they said Sim
mons had made such good collector, the best
collector they had ever had. and all that sort OF
thing and when his first term was out there
were 400 of the best business men in Boston who
appealed in petition to Ruthy to reappoint him
Well the appointment hung fire and they did
everlastingly blame Rutherford.
well, one day Boston merchant named
Chadwick, who knew Rutherford very well, said
to Simmons, How would you like me to take
you to Washington and give you personal in
PRODUCTION to the PRESIDENT would like moth
ing better than to meet him personally, replied
Simmons, and in little while Chadwick and
Simmons were on their way to Wash
ington together. When they reached
Baltimore however, Chadwick said he
would like to stop over there one day
to attend some sort of a Methodist convention,
and, Simmons agreeing, they accordingly went,
the latter saying That is just the kind of a
place would like to meet the President in,
for it seems, Chadwick half suspected that
they might find the President there, and had
said so. Sure enough, they did and, after the
meeting Mr. Chadwick, turningto the President,
said:
''This is Mr.. Simmons, Mr.. President, the
collector of Boston
always, turned to his wife.
:. My wife, Mr. Simmons, he said.
Yes said Mrs Hayes, turning away coldly
and contemptuously, I think have heard of
AIR. Simmons before
" What does that meant asked Chadwick as
soon as they were alone together There is
something wrong with Mrs. Hayes and she
bears you ill-will
. I'm sure Idon't know, and Simmons and
Chadwick returned to Boston, while the former
went on to Washington where he remained
week or more in his fruitless endeavor to obtain
the reappointment"
Now, do you know what was the matterYs
said Colonel Hayes, as he looked at me furi-.
ously
assured him that did not
We'll, SIR continued the cousin to the ex-
President, Mrs Hayes knocked Simmons in.
the head and that was what the matter was. You
see, Simmons wife was sick and Mrs. Governor
Clafin Of Massachusetts, used to minister to
her, take her carriage riding, etc, and one day.
Mrs. Hayes, who was also socially
friendly with Mrs, Clafiin, went out riding
with her and with Mrs. simmons
and that ride cooked Simmonss goose. While
driving along prominent thoroughfare they
suddenly came face to face with Mr. Simmons,
who was out driving with another woman. This
treatment toward a wife who was i'll Mrs Hayes
determined to rebuke, and, sir if IA 900 900 peo-
pie had petitioned Rutherford to reappoint Sim
mons, he never would have done it All, you
never saw Mrs, Hayes's black eyes SPARKLE did
you2 Well, sir. 4 tell you she's determined
little woman"