New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-24
GOSSIP FROM THE CAPITAL
THE GARFIELD STATUE SECRETARY LAMAR
FRED DOUGLAS

THE GARFIELD STATUE--SECRETARYL LAMAR
FRED. DOUGLAS.
tFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT rRrBUSE.J
WASHINGTON, May 23.-A statue of President Gar.
field the gift of the State Of Ohio has been received at
the Capitol 1t will find place In Statuary Hail. prob.
ably beside the statue of Mecklenberg the martial
divine from Pennsylvania who the first Speaker Of
the House. As it has not yet been unpscked the art
ces which have in the of the last few days APP
peared in public print. pretending to give an estimate
of the statue work of art probably premature.
As matter OF fact they based sketch OF the
statue which the artist, Mr. Niehaus of Cincinnati sent
time ago to Mr. Clark, the architect of the Cap
itOl From this sketch and an accompanying letter OF
the sculptor 1t appears that the statue of heroic size
1t represents Garfield standing. His lett hand rests
lightly sort of reading desk. His right hand
is thrust In fashion into the breast Of
q regulation Prince Albert coat less artistic dress
and pose could scarcely be imagined. Bat what is q
sculptor to do with such material as the modern dress
OF men
Apropos of statuary Hall, am reminded Of the rule
under which each State is entitled contribute two
to this collections modern chamber of horrors
some irrtyerent wag has called it The application OF
this rule has admitted to this hall the of
of whom nine people out of ten will ask "Who were
they To cite instances might be invidious and hurt,
moreover, the feelings of those whom State-prIde and
other reasons have taught to look upon the mon.
should be compelled to for the sake of practical
nitude Ia short, this is what the rne object to has
done and is bound TO lead to Su ppOse two Of the
States had produced, each, five great men. indis.
putably great The present rule would admit to Stat
uary Hall only four OF the ten Again suppose there
six States of whch-this for the sake OF Illus
tratioD merely-had produced single great man OF
National fame and supcrlative merit. Yet under tho
present rule the hall would be crowded with twelve
second third and four rate while those by tame
and achievements eutted 10 be in the company OF the
leading of the country would be denied admission,
simply because their State has produced too many Of
the same sort. Rather absurd. it strikes me-
Secretary Lamar, as is well known, in day dream
half his time. He is the most courteous of men, but
when he is wool gathering he walks along saluting his
best friends with stony stare. and answering Gucs-
tons at random One day, some time ago, as Mr..
Ellis of Louisiana, sitting in his committee room
at the Capitol, Mr. Lamar walked in. He approached
Mr. Ellis and, seating himself said in his grave and
gentle way:
Ellis, don't believe you like me-"
"No" said Mr.. Ellis, d" don't"
"Why not D. asked Mr. Lamar.
"Well," said Mr. Ellis, when first came here you
led me to believe you my friend You seemed to
take an interest IN me as new member, and felt
hOnored by your regard. Lately yOu have hardly
spoken to me. | pass you and you don't look at mo,
aud such conduct has offended me. dislike you very
much"
But Ellis" said Mr.. Lamar "you know it's my
way"
around Mr. Elss neck, - the next time you zee
me IN that - bad way just COZ up and punch mo In
| the ribs. Now promise me, aud let's be friends
Mi Ellis promised him, and they are friends
Secretary Bayard though ordinarily stckler for
etiquette and exactng from everybody with whom he
Is thrown into contact the Difference due his official
rank has almost coDvulsed the foreign element here BY
kindly and courteousy calling the other day in person
the Chinese Minister without awaiting The visit which
every representative of foreign governmt Mt is
pected pay to the Secretary OF state first Cheng-
rsao Ju stricken with paralys while his turn
to the United States from Peru and Mr. Bayard called
TO express his regrets at the Ministers ndispositi5n
The latter. | informed. is still lying in disabled
condition at the Legation building here.
Some of the letters received at the Agricultural De-
partnent curious epistles They addressed by
their writers In every conceivable way. One man
writes Mr. :Seedman !" another. To The Boss Agri-
cuturer" y; still another To the Government Farmer
at Headquarters" The chief clerk OF the depart.
ment tells that to the present day he frequently
opens letters addressed to the Hon. Horace CapronD
who Commissioner of Agriculture more than
twenty years ago, and appointed believe by Lincoln.
Letters addressed to Commissioners lie Due are an
every day occrrence. But the most curious things
about the letters he requests they contain. One
correspondent asks to be supplied with guse nek
squash" Another wants " one game-cock and two
chickens " sent to him by express and as quick
possible" too There s %Ss one letter however,
the laugh on the department The writer
asked to have mailed to him OF ths
annual reports of the Commissioner. The letter was
turned to OF those fossils with whom the de-
partment is at all times crowded. That worthy sat
down and wrote long letter, asking the who had
made the request for the report what he wanted II Or
If there any special thing he wished to find OUT
whether the department could supply the information
in more direct way; for which year he wanted the
report. otc.. etc. Ia a few days the back
/ don't a blank what year you send. want il
for u scrap book"
The Bath Room" Secretary the Secretary of the
Interior is now dubbed account OF the bathroom be
has had constructed adjoining his office to-
day driving the public streets of the city In Gov.
ernment carriage. drawn by Government horses and
driven by Government employe. Is this Reform
back wards I
local paper tried very hard the other day get up
sensation by printing story TO the eject that the
presence during divine service. last Sunday. of Frod
erick Douglas in the Presidents church +" on Four
and halfst had given offence to number of ineuen-
tial pew-holders who did not desire the company Of
negroes while praying to the Almighty. The story,
probably had foundation whatever. II was denied
outright by the pastor of the church. and if there
any members who felt they had any grievances 40.
count OF Mr. Douglass visit TO their church they either
failed to make them known to the public did NOT
have the courage to avow them their signatures.
The whole episode, however reminds OF birthday
book, which saw not long ago. In which Mr.. Douglas.
among others had beer asked 10 write a sentence.
Picking out the date of Abraham Lncon's birthday no
had written under Lieolns name: "rhe only public
man with whom eveNconveTsed for an hour without
being reminded OF my color"
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