The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-27
W ashlngton Letter.
From our Regular Corrcspondcnt)
WASHINGTON, June -, 1885,

The rear portico Of the White House
looks southwark over half mile OF green
sward and an artificial lake TO the Wash
ington monument, and beyond down the
broad Potomac, commanding view seven
miles In extent. For fifty summers the
Presidents of the United States have stood
ON this portico Of Saturday afternoons,
cbatted with their friends, and listened to
the music of the Marine Band from the
rreen sward below. President Cleveland
honored the custom for the first time last
Saturday, and hundreds of Westinghouse
got their first glimpse of his strong, rugged
face and non-Apollolike figure. 1t was
curious sight to see several hundred peo-
pie standing below looking up at the Pres
ident on the pOrtico above. The gazers
were mostly of the government clerk class,
and their faces wore an expression OF anX-
iety, curiosity, hope and fear looked in
vain for an expression of resignation In
their government pap fed.faces. 1t may
be said with emphasis that they will not
resign. They were trying to read their
fate in the face of the President, and with
curiosity that was more natural than pc.
lite they stared in silence by the hour.
The reader who is not an Office seeker or
of'ice.h holder will be more Interested in the
appearance of the President than OF the
crowd lie looks ruddier and healthier
than when he delivered his inaugural on
the 4th of March. His manners are unaf-
fected and pleasing. He greets those
whom he knows with an unstudied grace,
cordial but not ELUSIVE. He wore Prince
Albert coat and a fashionable silk hat In
greeting those who called he would remove
his hat and, while talking TO ladies, would
stand uncovered for few minutes But
the rays of the sun made 1t necessary for
all the gentlemen to wear their hats most
of the time. Mr.. Cleveland adheres to his
early hours and habits Of hard work, and
In these respects he is initiated by all the
heads Of Departments.
Visitors have no trouble in seeing the
Cabinet officers. II is only those who
come late who have any trouble. Two of
the best business men In the Cabinet are
Manning and Whitney. There was some
criticism at the time Of their appointment
because two members from New York
were placed In the Cabinet. Tried by the
test Of experience they have proved 70 be
among the best selections that the Presi-
dent has made. II is further proof of his
good judgment that these two men were
personally known to him. His weakest
selections have been those which were re.
commended to him by other people. The
Treasury Department is now in better
hands than il has been for number OF
years. Mr.. Whitney is thorough man of
the world and has his department on a
very good footing, He IL polite to every
one, and does not annoy his callers with the
constant declaration made by some of the
new officials that his time Is excessively
occupied, and that is with only the greatest
difficulty that he can afford to give a few
seconds Of his time to any individual. Any
one to see him with his visitors would
think that he was the easiestgOing and
most thoroughly good natured member of
the Cabinet
Gen. Sparks, the new Democratic Land
a la ord fatt
ing the bulk of the fraudulent Maxwell
land grant This will throw over to public
entry over 500, 900 acres Through fraud.
ulent SURVEYS and corrupt official bargain
ing at Washington this grant was stretched
30 as to include 100000 acres of land
This order OF Nr. Sparks cuts down this
grant to Its original dimensions. If Mr.
Sparks cosld never do anything more In
his Office beyond striking down this gigan.
tic fraud, he would be entitled TO monu.
ment at the hands of his fellow country.
men. This grant has been backed by some
OF the most powerful financial and social
influences ever known In the history OF
Washington intrigues. Gen. Sparks would
not be able to strike this blow II he were
not firmly supported by the Secretary of
the Interior. OF course, furious appeals
will be made to Secretary Lamar to sus
pend the order, but the Secretary will be
found - immoyable as rock. He Is
thoroughly familiar with the facts In the
case, and will sustain the Land Commits
sioner. This order, taken with previous
ones, releases over 100000 acres Of land
which have been claimed by dishonest
speculstos.