The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-05-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Erzl., d i -
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Army of Osffce Seekers Undiminishesf
How Secretary Lamar Evades the Hun
cry Crew-States,nen from . Way BACK ~
Prolific Relics PresiGien tiaHH0rse talk.
WASHINGTON, d. G., May 10, 1885.
EDITOR CHIEF:
1t may truly be said Of Washington that
the Office seekers We have always with us.
At present the Office seeking crowds seem
greatest at the Interior and Post office De-
partments. The Secretary of the Interior
takes a lest now and then by excusing him.
self and slipping out quietly for little
walk. While the Office seekers mass them
selves in the hall before his door and wait
his return he strolls down the avenue and
shakes of care. looked in there one day
last week, aud among the crowd was q tall
fellow about thirty, with face expressive
of good d-natured desperation. It was one
of the coolest days, but the fever Of
impatient expectation kept him warmer
than his clothes. His seal-brown trousers,
the worse for wear, refused to meet the low
shoes, and the breach showed fiasger
length of pale blue and white hose. His
thin coat, once black. had become rusty
and brown to match the trousers, As time
wore on he grew little wild and resorted
to every Htte art in his power to get IN in
terview with the Secretary.
Probably he was "chronic" visitor,
for the messengers were very discouraging
in their replies to his entreaties. Finally
he caught glimpse of s. s. Cox, who didn,t
want to see him, and rushing forward he
seized the Minister of Turkey by the hand
and began to tell him his story. Bat Mr..
Cox was in hurry to see the Assistant
Secretary, and soon made his escape. As
he tore himself from the friendly grasp Of
the tall office hnnter the latter called sitter
him in confidential whisper, " Let me see
you when you come ont. Got letter from
New York this morning, and lots to tell
you"
The hall where Office seekers wait to see
II they can see the Secretary Of the Interior,
is without exception the dreariest, dismal
est, most depressing place imaginable. It
is sort of tomb in atmosphere. There
are few seats, but only enough to accom-
modate the messengers who guard the Sec
retary's door. So the crowds walk about
and knock elbows, and stars and look
as possible. When the Secretary
signifies his intention of " receiving" the
door is opened and the crowd rush into his
room like flock of sheep. Adjoining this
is private room, into which he takes WIS.,
tors in squads. But they never thin out,
for the big room is filing up al. the time
with fresh arrivals. When human endu-
rance can endure no more he goes of for
one of his strolls to enjoy the beauty of the
city.
There were racsntly at the same time at
The Arlington Hotel two gentlemen who
we're prominent in Washington as far back
as 1847-Robert g. Winthrop, who was that
year elected Speaker of the United States
House Of Representatives, and Mr.. Brad
bury, who began that year his service
as United States Senator from Maine.
When just before the Washinginton Monu-
ment was dedicated last February ex-Sen-
ator Hamlin was looking up at the Capitol
hose who were in the United States Sen
ate at the time the cornerstone of that
structure was laid he found that he and his
colleague, Mr.. Bradbury, were the only two
from any State who had served together
N the Senate at that time who were still
living. Mr.. Bradbury is full of interesting
He was greatly pleased
With President Cleveland, but expressed
fear that he would wear himself out before
he end of his term.
Some person of statistical turn of mind
night find some occupation in estimating
low many tons of pieces from the capstone
If the Washington Monument have been
decorated and preserved as relics, Quite a
lew industry has been developed since the
was completed in painting aud
selling these little bits of marble. Judg-
ng from the vast numbers of them in the
stores and private houses, the supply is
nexhaustible, and Of course each person
who keeps one of these stones will be pre-
pared to asseyerate most positively in fr-
,ure years that it was chip from the cap
stone itself. In connection with the sale
If these relics of the Monument an enter
9rising man has inaugurated system of
furnishing an affidavit testifyiug to the
of this and that particular
chip.
Up to last Friday the presidential stable
south of the Executive Mansion, sheltered
,ight head of horses, two belonging to
Cleveland, four to ex-President
Arthur, two the property of young Allan
Arthur. Last week Mr.. Arthur authorized
| friend in this city to ship the two wheel
lorses of the four. in hand team to New
York for service in his private carriage.
Allan's Black Hawk Harniltonian team.
which he drove to 800 Brewster buggy,
md in which the West End bellies delighted
O ride, is also for sale. The Arthur horses
ire now quartered in livery sable on G
treet, and the Cleveland team are the sole
of the presidential stable.
ALERT.
The forecasts of the weather bureau of
france were verified last year in ninety
:ases out of every hundred, the percentage
iaying steadily risen from eighty-one i'll
Sol to eighty-three in 1882 and to eighty
eyeu in 1883 Out of IS9 alarn signals
ent to the ports, 12o were fully verified,
wenty -four were fairly correct, thirty-sev
N were incorrect, and 6,iy two gales were
lot fore zen.