The Washington critic., 1886-04-17
WASHINGTON CRITIC
wAsnINGToN, ApRIL II, 1ss5.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Altn0ugn III Is not generally KNOWN, |
1t is fact nevertheless, says the Boston
I'rdreller's correspondent, that the per-
son of the President is guarded and pro-
tocted about as completely as though
he were surrounded by soldiers. Wis.
itors at the White House do not know
this, because they see nothing to indi-
cate that there is anybody in particular
looking out after the safety of the head
of the executive branch of the Govern
ment. But the gentlemanly and neatly
dressed ushers are really detectives.
Several of them are men detailed for the
purpose of acting in case of an emcr-
gency. Outside of the building, both
night and day, policeman in uniform
is always on duty. Another patrols
the grounds to the south of the Execu-
tive Mansion, and two more in
citizens dress may also be seen
by those who are familiar with
their faces. Inside of the House during
business hours there are always fully |
half dozen men on the lower floor.
Before man can be ushered into the
presence of the President he must first |
pass the scrutiny of big six-footer who |
stands at the door and who is the finest |
expert on "cranks' in this country |
Washington Is the Mecca of all cranks, |
but they never fool Sergeant Dinsmore. |
lie says lie does not know exactly how |
he can tell q "crank," but his instinct |
in this line is remarkable. After hav-
ing passed his inspection, another one of |
the ushers inquiries the nature of your
business with the President, but this Is |
never done so as to SAVIOR of improper |
curiosity. If you satisfy him, then you |
are taken upa flight of stairs, where
sits the Presidents private messenger
at little desk. He is another expert |
on "cranks." If the President Is re.
ceiving callers, you will hand him your
card and he will take. 1t to
library. Mr.. Cleveland will send
you or not, but after having passed to
the ante. room of the "holy Of holies,"
the chances are decidedly in favor Of
your gaining an audience. In.the H.
brary you will probably find q score
of men waiting to see the President.
Visitors seat themselves around the
room and in turn go to the Prcsi-
dent, who generally stands near the
beautifully carved desk which was
presented by Queen Victoria many
years ago. The President does not sit
down with visitors for comfortable
little chat. He stands all the time.
experience having taught him that q
man Is not as likely to tell long story
and become bore If he is on his feet
After you have transacted your bust
ness you go out, but there isn't any
red-tape about gaining the outside Of
the White House.
#*s
Talk not of dancing until you have
seen the dancing Of Congressman Bal
lentine of Tennessee, says F. d. M. of
other night he was one in a quadrille
at the Ebbitt House. Congressman
Murphy of Iowa had an idea that he
could dance, and was in the same set,
but he paled his Intellectual fires before
the prowess of Ballentine. The latter
is not q kid. His brow is sicklied Ger
with the pale cast of several bangs, and
his gray beard and frosted brow betray
the fact that his birth was not of this
day or generation. But upon the occa-
sion in question, the very soul of
Terpsichore herself seemed to have
lodged in the heels of the Tennessee
Congressman. The other set broke up
and the crowd closed in as Ballentine
warmed up to his work under the In
spring strains of "Fisher's Hornpipe."
When they Swung partners he swung
his partner until her feet stood out
nearly at right angles to the physical
corporosity of the Tennessee states,
man. When he tackled the "allemand
left burst of applause ensued, ex-
ceeded only by the greeting that
followed his distinguished effort in
balancing to the corner" AS his
feet twinklcd and his bows and smiles
increased in the intricaces of the
grand right and left the clerks in
the Ebbitt House deserted their work
to peer into the rear windows of the
dancing parlor, and they joined in the
involuntary applause that rippled forth
as Ballentine executed double shuttle
in the first two forward and back"
At the call Salute your partner"
Congressman Ballentine saluted his
partner with an ornateness and multi
plicity that made the innocuous young
gentlemen looking on think they had
lived in vain. And Congressman Bal
!. lentine's pigeon-wing, when he an
swered manfully to the call, Ladies',
grand chain," completed his triumph.
How stale, fiat and improbable seemed
the formal and conventional modern
dancing compared with the energetic,
effulgent and enjoyable activity of
Congressman Balleniine.
Nv
Says Washington letter in con.
nection with the appointment of Sena-
tor jackson to the Circuit bench 1t is
interesting to know how many Senators
have been judges. Mcmillan of Min.
nesota was Chief Justice of that State
at the time he was elected to the Senate,
had for ten years previously been an
Associate Justice and before that was
elected Circuit Judge in the State as
far back as 1867. Walthall, who sue
ceeded Lamar, was once very promi-
nent candidate for Chief Justice of the
State of Mississippi. His colleague,
George, was a Supreme Judge in Mis-.
sissippi, and was Chief Justice of the
State at the time he was elected to the
Senate Wilson of Maryland was Judge
N of the First Judicial District of his
State six years. cold Joe" Brown of
Y Georgia was State judge as far back
las 1866, and Governor Bullock APP
pointed him Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court Of the State, q place
which he held for two years, when he
resigned to enter upon his railroad
projects. Berry of Arkansas, who sue
ceeded Garland, was Circuit Judge in
his State for four years. Coke of Texas
was elected to the Supreme bench Of
his State in 1865. and after occupying
the place year was removed by Phil.
Sheridan as ian impediment to recon-
struction." Kenna of West Virginia
has never been q judge in full stand
ing, but in 1875, in an emergency, he