The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-12-03
GOSSIP ABOUT MIR. ARTHUR
HIS MANHOOD AS A PRESIDENT.
HIS WHITE HOUSE DINNERS.

How High Living killed Hlm-Hls div.
nifty Upon Leaving the White House,
How He and Garfield Played Marbles
Together-Presidsnt Arthur's Children.
Especial Correspondencc.l
WASHINGTON. Nov. 30.-The memory of
as the ivy which climbs about the White
House. He showed himself to be man
while he acted as president, and during the
latter part OF his administration both parties
delighted to do him honor. As far as Wash
| ington and its society is concerned he was
one of the most popular presidents we have
ever had. He felt the dignity of his position,
and appreciated the honor of the presidency
as much as did Gen. Washington himself
He acted like president. He entertained
royalty, and still democratically. The White
House was open to all conlers; the poor
est and most ignorant were not snubbed. He
gave elegant dinners, and was in his element
at a White House reception. Still he posed us
friend to the negro, and was always ready
to raise his voice for the colored man. He
was by no means niggardly in spending his
salary. He came into the White House, am
told, worth more than 800, 900, and he left it
worth much less.
Shortly after President Arthur took office
the duties became very distasteful to him.
The newspapers were full of uncompliment-
airy notices, the sky of prophecy was black
and the perplexities of the presidency were
never greater. Arthur was overrun with
Office seekers both day and night and he told
eX-Postmaster General Tyner that if the
presidency were offered him again by the
unanimous vote of the people he would not
take it. As time wore on, however, his work
grew systematized. He liked the honor and
fattery which came with the position, and
during the last year of his term he strove
with all his might TO secure his reelection
He failed, but after his retirement he still
kept sight of the dignity of his office, refused
to go into the practice Of the law, and lived
quietly until he died.
President Arthur worked very hard while he
was in the White House, and he ruined his
health by working irregularly He sat up
late and rose late. He ate his dinners at
midnight, anG it was often 1 or 2 o'clock be-
fore he got away from the table. He usually
rose at $780, took light breakfast of coffee
and roll and then went into his office to
receive callers. From 10 to IL o'clock he had
a continual siege of office seekers. First, the
ordinary office seeker came then the con-
gresham, and after that the cabinet minis
ter. Sometimes he received his callers in the
afternoon, and he went through the hand
shaking regularly. He did not begin his din
ner, as "a rule until after o'clock, and often
LOTT Jn ya1 birr1, 1;1,;, al IoJb l.;
stomach with terrapin and champagne
Toward the latter part of his administration
the richness of his food began to tell upon
his system and he strove to remedy the evil.
He did not however, cut down upon his
diet, but tried to work off the surplus by
exercise. He took horseback rides and walked
considerably. Very fond of fishing, and the
killer, believe, of the largest salmon ever
killed in this country, he took many a little
fishing junket, and it was at the advice OF
his physician that, with his cabinet, he went
to Florida. The Florida health trip was not
great success He had a severe attack of
stomach trouble during it and the papers
were full of alarming reports The excite
menJ of the latter days Of his administration
had much to do with keeping him up, and he
began to fail as soon as Cleveland was in
There is no doubt that White
House winning and dining had much to do
with his death, and he is only one of great
number of public men who have been killed
by this element of Washington life. During
the last year Of his administration President
Arthur made it rule to dine all the con-
gressmen and senators and their wives He
spent more than IS, 900 year on his dinners,
and $40 plate is low estimate of their cost.
Arthur paid his cook 81 800 year, and it is
said that his private dinners often cost as
high as S. plate. He kept up his dinners
until the last, and he closed his administra-
ton by an elegant lunch to President Cleve-
land Immediately after the review of the
procession on Inauguration day.
President Arthur's leaving the White |
House was as dignified as his conduct in it. |
Neither of the two Adamses would attend
the inaugurations of their successors John
Quincy Adams was out hunting, it is said, at
The time Andrew jackson was inaugurated,
and his father, John Adams, packed up his
traps the night before jefferson came in, and
,aloped away from Washington in car
'iage. President Arthur gave this royal
unch to President Cleveland, and the dining
able was as handsomely arranged as at any
If his state dinners. He escorted Miss Rose
Cleveland to the table, and President Cleve-
and took in Mrs McElroy on his arm. The
,arty remained seated at the table for nearly
wo hours, and after the dinner was over Mr..
Arthur left the White House and went to
tay with Secretary Frelinghuysen.
1 came across curious story to-day, in
which a man named Clapp claims to have
'layed marbles with Presidents Garfield and
Arthur. The three men were boys, and Clapp
vas living at Ballston, N. Y, when President
Arthur's father and President Garfied's
ncle came there, bringing Chester A. Arthur
nd James A. Garfield with them. Clapp
avs he slept with young Arthur, and that he
vas having game of marbles with little
'het in his front door yard the next day
1hen the Rev. Mr.. Garfield drove up. He
topped at the gate and lifted out of his
7agon a little fellow about years old, say
lg: "Here. my lads, is my nephew Jimmy.
ct him play with you while attend to some
As the story goes, little Jimmy
fairfield sat down on mound and watched