Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-05
GEN. GRANT TWICE ARRESTED.
His Taste for Fast Driving Led to Two
Encounters with the Police.
From the Mem YORK SIN.

from t1e " SD EOfh sun.
WASHINGTON, July 29.-Gen. Grant is
especially remembered here for the unos-
tentatious simplicity of his habits and
manners. His modesty attracted the no.
tice of Bismarck, and called forth his ap-
plause. What could have been more I'M
pretending in manner and in substance
than his letter written early in 1851, Of
fering his services to the government as
soldier. He mentioned the fact, which
was of record, that be had been educated
at West Point; that he had served in the
army, including the period of his school
ing, for fifteen years, and suggested that
his education and training, he thought,
qualified him to take command of a vol
unteer regiment In that day of political
and clerical brigadiers, however, his mod
est offer of service was overlooked, prob
ably because IL was not accompanied by
the endorsement Of his Congressman.
Among tue well-remembered fancies of
Gen. Grant was that for fast trOttiug
horses. He became at the close of the
war familiar figure on the streets of
Washington, especially upon those which
lead out to the country north of the city,
as he sped away in his plain buggy and
citizens dress. But ne was apt to forget
that the city ordinances forbade fast driv-
ing, and more than once he vas arrested
for exceeding the rate of speed which had
been prescribed as the limit. 1t is due to
him to say that when on Pennsylvania
avenue, or any pOpulOus parts OF the city.
his instructive sense of prOpriety would
restrain him from transcending the law.
but as he neared the boundaries he was
sure to give the rein to his horse and to
begin making mile in three minutes, at
the least. On one of these occasions DO
liceman on horseback accOsted him
as be passed. and requested him
to stop. He promptly complied, when he
was informed that be was violating the
city ordinance, and that it would be
necessary for him to appear before a city
Justice. The hour was designated for
the next day, but the prisoner forgot the
matter, and failed 10 attend. The police
man thereupOn called on him at his
headquarters, corner of Seventeenth aud
F streets, and reminded him of the engage
ment. The General was not pleased at
what he regarded as undue pertinaclty
of the policeman; but when told by the
latter that he had served under him at
VicksbuTg. where he learned that il was
the first duty of a soldier and subordinate
70 obey orders, the General yielded, and
commended him for the performance OF
his duty. He accordingly appeared be-
fore the Justice, who imposed the fine,
which was paid promptly, without
murmur.
At about that time a change was made
in the city ordinance. Fast trOtting had
been prohibited not only within the
boundaries of the city but throughout the
District of Columbia. The authorities,
upon due consideration, thought that the
ordinance was unnecessarily severe, and
repealed 1t as 70 the country roads. Gen.
Grant read casually, or perhaps only
heard Of this change, and concluded that
it applied to the streets as well as the
roads. His mistake got him inUO trouble
a second time. He was arrested and
taken before a Justice. as at the first
offence. He plead the repeating ordinance,
of which he bad heard, but was excused
on this occasion on the ground that he
had been mIsiniormed, and had acted in
ignorance Of the true nature Of the re-
pealiRg ordinance.