Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-05-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHlNGron, May nth, 1886.

Il
ceptional one in some respects at
the White House. Monday, the
occasion of the Presidents excursion
to Gettysburg, was the first day he
has spent away from the Mansion
since he entered it. Saturday was
the first day that be has closed his
doors to callers and declared himself
invisible. He decided sometime ago
that he would have to reserve one
day of the week for himself when he
would be inaccessible to Office seek
ers, autograph beggars and other
bores. Saturday last he rigidly kept
his day. Visitors beseiged the door
keepers in crowds. Senators and
Members of the House, individual
Office seekers and Office seekers in
delegations, called in as large num-
bers as ifthere had been no announce
ment given of Mr.. Cleyeland's inten-
ton to have closed doors. The
doorkeepers, however, were equal to
their orders, and no amount Of indig-
nation ayailed a caller in bis efforts
to ascend the staircase or send up a
Ecard. The Cabinet members were
the only ones who could pass the
portals, and make further progress
than the East Room.
There has been much excitement
among Democratic politicians about
their conference held at Wizards
hotel the other evening. 1t was an
Indignation meeting to protest
against the so-called hardness oil
the Administration in turning the
Republicans out. Since then it has
been stated by some of his advisers
that President Cleveland has expert
enced change of heart, which is tc
be followed by change of policy in
making appointments. However
this may be, it is really true that
those nearest the President are now
asserting that the "Clean sweep ,
promised during the last campaign
is coming. They say it may continue
to be slow for many who are worn
out with waiting, but that it will be
none the less sure.
Some Of the Presidents friends
have tried to console him by the as
surance that when he moves out to
the Soldiers Home for the summer,
he will be comparatively free from
the intrusions of Office hunters. Mr..
Cleveland has no faith, however, in
the power of hot weather or distance
to overcome THE tireless class. His
summer cottage will be only two
miles from the White House and he
knows that the patriots who have
travelled a thousand or more miles
for spoils will not mind adding two
miles more to their journey.
There has been no falling off in
the number of Office seekers during
the past week. Some Senators who
went to their homes a fortnight ago
have returned. They left in order
TO get rid Of their constituents who
were here, and now they come back
to get rid of their constituents at
home. Among the daily visitors at
the White House and Executive De-
partment, it is noticed that there are
three gentlemen who receive special
attention and do very little waiting
in corridors and ante-rooms. They
are ex-Speaker Randall, Senator
German and Chairman Barnum.
A large number of persons went
to the White House grounds on Sat.
urday afternoon expecting to hear
an open air concert by the Marine
Band, and were disappointed. Dur
ing several former administrations.
it has been the custom to have these
concerts given to the public weekly,
beginning on the frs. Saturday in
May and continuing until late in
September. Mr.. Cleveland is dispos.
ed to frown upon these delightful en-
tertainments, which have received
the sanction of former Presidents.
and it is doubtful if he orders them
to be resumed.
1t has been stated that Mr.. Cleye.
land would remove bis residence to
the " Presidents Cottage in week
or two. He could not find a more
delightful place to live than the Exc
cutive Mansion will be for at least
six weeks yet, and he has no inten.
ton of leaving it until the beginning
of the heated term. Thanks to the
good taste of ex-President Arthur,
both the White House and the Pres
ident's Cottage never looked so at.
tractive as they do now. Whatever
Mr.. Cleyeland's individual tastes
may be, he has already shown that
he appreciates the taste of his pred
ecessor in his desire to make no
change. He intends to allow his
surroundings to remain just as he
found them. Mr.. Arthur made the
Il n a