The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-11-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. DC,
Nov. 2, 1885,


Ben : Perley Poore, who remembers
more lies about the public men who
have lived and moved in Washington
than any man living, has recently
evolved q fabrication about the poker
playing attainments of Henry Clay.
1t is all very we'll to tickle the public
ear with these little fluctuations coll
corning meu about whom the people
nf the country have always felt an in
terest, but about the inner lives Of
such men as figured prominently upon
the Stage of American politics forty
and fifty years ago, there is amply
enough of truth to he toldto make the
personal history of such men enter
iIaining. We all remember the pretty
little story told of Mr.. Webster, who,
in impeaching the credibility of Il wit
ness, asked the lady oh the witness
stand what there was derogatory to
his character? At the same moment
Mr.. Webster INDUCED his generous
nose with huge pinch of snuff. at
which the lady responded 10 his ques-
ton ''He takes snuff" This charm
ing lie about q great nan WIS entirely
spoiled by the subsequent declaration
of Mr.. Webster, that he not only nev-
er took u pinch of snuff in his lie, but
that he abhorred tobacco in all its
forms. II is altogether probable that
Nj. Clay instead of being an adept al
pOker-piayiny, did not know q flush
from a jack-full, and if The truth vas
known, never straddled q blind in his
official life.
An iuunyofio, upon tho cusfo,ps nj
every administration since the loun-
dalton of the Government has been
made by President Cleveland in IT,,
announcement that the Presidential
ear shall not he open TO amy appeals
for Office, however earnest, af. T. The
1st day of November. On Tuesdays
and Fridays access to the executive
may be obtained ate: eleven o'clock
upon strictly public business, and af.
ter one O'Clock the East Room will be
open to those who desire to pay their
respects to the head Of the Govern.
ment. On the other days of the week
only the Cabinet NJ inisters will be nc
corded an audience, SO that the Occu.
patton of the office hunter SO far rs
the President is comcernsd may he
1 NOtotiStC t sottC VI Sout Sc ttlCtC VIII
be much sever criticism Of the Presi-
dent for the enforcement of sucll
anomalous order as this is, bu: il
should be remembered that the cir.
cumslan:es under which the order il
Issued arc likewise anomalous. Never
in the history of past administrations
has there been ore that has been raj 1.
ed upon by night and by day, in sea.
son aud put of season, as has been this
one in the last eight months. The cX-
ecutive department as well Is all the
other departments Of Government
have been compelled 10 neglect the
public business for all these months,
just 10 listen 10 the incessant demand:
of the thousands who ssum that the
Government owes them public posi-
ton. The Office door OF on: Cabinet
officer. Mr.. Lamar. is beseiged by hun.
dreds of men, and women too, every
moment during business hours, but
the Secretary has been compelled IL
refuse admission to all, in order to
get through the routine of his Office.
Baf1ed here, the multitude have in.
vested the Secretary residence, which
has likewise been closed with bolts
and bars, with muf1ed door-bell be.
sides. PHoNo.