New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-17
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.

| WASHINGTON, May 16.-The races at Ivy City
have been the OF the week. Congress being
In session smaller attendance meeting
than otherwise would been the Senators
Congressman rule liberal patrons OF the turf;
that Is to say they will pay their fee but
small way-a man who buys a ticket in the Paris
mutuals for S. each time a Is run is considered
somewhat OF plunger hereand go home satisfied thcy
have done the correct thing.
There are few exceptions, to be sure. Beck and
Blackburn, for instance will tackle the bookmakers aud
so will Dick rownshent, and the Hon. Thomas Por
erhouse Ochrce did the thing before he became
| the confidential agent OF his friend Mackay But
rule the gentlemen who follow the circuit aud fleece the
unwary have profound contempt for a Washington
crowd. 1t doesn't pan well at all. Tie Southern
members would like doubt to show the booknakers.
sah how gentlemen lay their BETS but then they havent
the money. IL Is always serious fnarcia problem
with them how IN get the quarter stretch and grand
stand and at the same time pay their weekly board bills
The story Is told OF Colonel 0chree he
the House the morning after the close OF Of the meet
ings all broke up" his friend who tells the story
expressed It. His hair standing end-it least the
little that left him was dsorderni general
air OF seediness Tervadcd his bcng short he seemed
completely dcmorazed.
whats TIE matter, Tom r. exclaimed dozen SYM
| pathizilg friends.
| Matter Z" blurted out tho Texan, who imagined
everybody must have heard OF his misfortune. Matter
Why, have lost Sl0,00)-twice the pay OF q member
of this House-on tie races yesterday Matter. Great
scottw
:" It's too bad, Tom, but then"
"Yes aud the worst OF is" added Colonel ochree
savagely ten dollars Of 1t was In cash."
But TO return this weeks races nearly everybody
OF prominence town. with the exception OF the Pres-
dent and his Cabinet, tho course. Since Andrew
Jacksons time few Presidents have given by their
presence encouragement the sport General Grant
rarely visited race-track aud though fond as every
body knows, of horse-hesh preferred drive in his
buggy behiud team OF spirited horses on country
road to the excl enent OF running race. Mr.. Hayes
decidedly ayerse to everything that resembled
racing horse. General Garfield seldom II ever, went TO
witness A game of baseball satisfied him and
he rarely missed 1t. When In Congress he regular
| attendant at every match played In Washington.
President Arthur made feeble attempt to make the
racing Ivy City officially fashionable For two years
he "a regular attendant at every meeting.
quorum OF his Cabinet always present VI need DO
council could called in tue paddock adoin-
ing the grand stand 10 the club house any afternoon
wnile the meeting was in progress.
Attorney General Brewster seemed to enter the sport
with q good deal OF earnestUess His white beaver
guishablo the distance OF mile. aud the grace
and department with which he would collect Ills WIN
nings or surrender his money. II he lost might have
satisfied Mr. Turyeydrop Secretary Teller, believe,
only member of President Arthurs Cabinet who
was conspicuous by his absence He Is stct Metho-
dist Secretary Frellnghuysen a cautious better.
Secretary Lincoln made up his book with the precision
| OF an expert. POstmaster-General Gresham always
bought ticket French mutuals. nut don't think
that his Investments proved remnnerative.
President Cleveland did not attend the races this
ALL II the accounts hear correct he takes
no interest In such Neither do the members of
Cabinet vita exception Of the Secretary Of State.
Mr. Bayard is enthusiastic patron of the turf He
ike gentleman and loses his money like one. He
quite reckless either Beck Blackburn, but
his judgment Is always good He despses tips and
generally puts his money the vOrtes As rule he
leaves with empty pocket-book hundred
hundred dollars poorer tnan he came. His
absen from the this week was the sIOjcct OF
good II suggested that he did not
wish offend the President who is supposed to look
upon sport being In the line OF Reform and
Jelfcrsoniau simplicity. Whatever the cause he was
there and fact greatly regretted by those of
his Iriends who generally go hone with his money In
their pockets.
The foreign legations generally send fair contingent
The young attaches rule bot wildly
with recklessDess which is appalling, considering
the smalness OF the income which most OF them enjoy'
The older members OF the Diplomatic Corps generally
bet among themselves In small way. Baron DO
strive, the Russian Minister is the bodest operator.
He has a weakness for betting with laes, aud conse-
quently Is always q loser. lie goes out to The raco
course horseback, accompanied frequently by one OF
tue attaches of the Les alton. Madame De Strive
preceies him In carriage filled with halt adozen more
OF children, han fling the ribbons herself Arrived On
ground her carriage becomes at the centre OF
CUP Of ladies' and gentlemen who seem to take moro
in crest in her conversation than in the Tue
Spanish Minister. INDUCES In betting, especially with
young ladies' gloves, etc. There is less display per-
hans nc the Ivy City meetings than any track in the
country situated In the vicinity OF cities - large as
Washington and Baltimore. But nowhere are Tho crowds
better behaved and tue rough element which forms tue
dis agreeable OF nearly every race-coarse less
noticeable than here.
retired army officer who General Grants per-
soual stah during war; Speaking the other day OF
General Badeau's article tn the May Century. said:
B.,leau mas male one mistake. He says General Grant
ws In danger OF during the last Of the
war WINE his headquarters az City Point, and that
his personal stat formed plan TO protect him one OF
them sitting up every night spec al guard. Now there
wasn't one or his stan who wouldn't have guarded
General the risk OF his own life II necessary.
But there was danger City Point. MOTTO ~ tnougns
OF it tnere There never was but one tnie Aud place
when we did think the presence Of troops not
sufficient protection thaI ne could iid 10 Ills SAFETY
nnsSsr betore going to tue wilderness The room. Of
tue nodse occupied were SO situated that General
that in spite tue guard outside 1t poss De Tor
enemy to get to his room unobsergei We took IN the
situation and decided place sentry Ueore General
Grants door night. after he had retre Ihis was
done without sns ANY a Iaar ~ n" s about IT,
But got with us Tor keepihg hun out OF inc
back aud lortn Might before his DOOR the General did
not come down to breakfast II was unusual tor hiin
10 be late at breakfast. anu after waiting some fine
said TO Rawlings What In the mischief Is keepuS TIE
Oil man IN Ocd so late = After waiting some time
longer ws all got rather edgoty, AMI think 1t was
RIA wings who finally said he'd e. 10 the Gener's no On
aud see what matter wel Rawlings went up
and found General all dressed and sitting qetly In
his room.
Why. General. breakfast has been ready some
time said Rawlings.
'Wel, replied General Grant, with perfect serious.
s ss mas p Ssep srSes Now hve
" be placed under arrest In this way
"Of General Rawlings appreciated the Joke.
aud they down together he pretended to 20
serious the General. who with dry hunor said;
Gentlemen, rm sorry TO have kept you waiting Bat
sentry has pacing before door all night and az
Thought was under arrest couldn't down I'LL
e. l.aa. fhAHa N.la alIl.A