The Washington critic., 1885-08-19
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
WHY GRANT DIRECTED TO LIVING
IN WASIfINGTON.
SENATOR VESTS COTTAGE.
Commissioner Atkins Among His Old
Friends In Tcnncsscc-IIow Con
gressmen Live ut the Capital
why Public Printer
Rounds is Not RE
moved, Etc.

y large number Of the citizens of
Mckenzie, Tenn, and Carroll County,
accompanied by an excellent band,
went over to Paris on Saturday even
ing, August 10, TO pay their respects to
Hon. j. ID. c. Atkins, the Commits.
sioncr of Indian Affairs. who was
spending brief vacation at that place
with his family. The Commissioner
was wholly unprcparcd for the demon
stration, but proved equal to the cmer-
gency in speech of about thirty min
utes, which is reported in the Nash
Vile Union.
After dwelling with much sensibility
on the emotions aroused in his bosom
by such manifestations of courtesy and
kindness by his ncighbors and old
friends who had known him longest
and best, he said il would perhaps be
expected of him, coming direct from
the seat of government, and connected
as he was in an humble way with its
administration, to say something of
what it had already done and proposed
to do in the future. This he proceeded
TO do in II succinct and most forciblc,
and ut the same time wholly unparti-
san manner. lie pronounced high
cncomium on President Cleveland for
his honesty, courage and wise, conscr-
vativc craftsmanship. lie paid glowing
tributes TO the different heads of the
various executive departments, and
was especially culogistic of Secretary
Lamar, whom he declared was without
superior, if he ever had peer, in the
conduct of the vast and complicated
interests dcvolving on that important
department of the Government, and
this whether regard be had to u
comprehensive grasp of great prin-
ciplcs and measures of policy or u ca
pacity for the minutest details of public
affairs. At the conclusion of his speech,
which was heartily cheercd throughout,
he invited the crowd in, when the spa
cious parlors and Railways were soon
flied and handshaking and congratula-
tons became the order of the evening
This over, the entire company partooll
of bountiful rcpast which had been
hastily improvised by Mrs. Atkins ana
her daughters.
wv
Here in Washington, writes "Car p"
of the cleveland Leddcr, Grant always
preferred to do as other people. He
liked to walk down town and thread
his way along the crowded sidewalks
as did everybody else. A couple of
years ago ! remember seeing him walk
from General Bcalc's house on Lafay-
cite Square to the Capitol, passing
along Pennsylvania avenue and attract
ing no notice except when some old
resident or official would recognize him
He had business with members of the
Senate. Going TO the door where cards
are sent TO the Senators he paid no at
tcntion tothe messengers at the entrance,
but started TO pass by into the marble
room" 1lewas unacquainted with the
customs of the place. The messengers
did not know him, and roughly caught
hold of him to stay his progress, ut the
same time telling him that the public
were not admitted. Apologizing for his
ignorance of the rules he said: Il
want TO see Senator Window" "IIave
you cardi" asked the messenger.
NO, bul just lcll Hlll pcncrul pTant
would like to see him a moment" and
the visitor withdrew pace or two to
wait the return of the messenger. 1t
would be hard to describe the look of
surprise which spread over the face of
that messenger. The change in the
tone of his voice was magical Beg
ging General Grants pardon for not
recognizing him, he asked the old sol
der to walk into the marble room until
he could call out Senator Window.
General Grant was entitled to all the
privileges of the floor of either House
by having received the thanks of Con
gTess as well rs having been President
of the United States, but he was too
modest to insist on his rights or even
claim them.