The Washington critic., 1886-05-13
WASHINGTON CRITIC
WASHINGTON. MAY IS, 1886.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.


Congress by Mr.. John Arnot, says that
the elder Arnot went to Elmira many
years ago with little solder and few.
tools as his visible capital. Before he
died he had accumulated an estate
worth s15,000,000 and many time
sustained crippled or distressed banks
in New York from sinking. 1t was
common thing for banks to call on him
for 100000 or more, and there have
been instances when he supplied as
much as 81 900, 900 to tide over crisis
for one of these institutions. The i'm
brothers Arnot, Stephen, John and
Matthias, fell into good and careful
hands. All three were thoroughly COM
petent hard-working men. Stephen and
John were as regular In their business
habits, as II their income depended on
their industry, the latter being always
behind the counters of the. Chemung
Canal Bank in business hours, and the
former being generally found in the
same building in the office of the Arnot
Gas Works, which furnish Elmira with
all the illumination It has. Stephen
AIHOt ulCu ScNcIui yCulb il5O vi uu III
fection of the heart. John Arnot Is
one of the kindest, gentlest and most
generous of men, and is inclined to pri.
vate rather than public life. 1t was
only after the most earnest solicitation
that he consented to run for Congress,
and he was elected by large majority
in Republican district at the same
time that Hill was elected lieutenant.
II ,x,;tt,
position shows that he has taken kindly
to Office holding. and that the people of
his district have taken kindly
TO his official ability, but he
would doubtless still prefer his
old quarters behind the counters of the
Chemung Canal Bank. Matthias Is a
bachelor and student of art He Is
one of the best judges of pictures. the
country has, and his collection, selected
by himself, Is worth great deal of
money. He lives quiet, unostentatious
life, anxious for no political preferment
and given to no extravaganza except
that for the qualification of his appre-
citation of art. In his hands and those
of Congressman John the vast property
of the family grows larger every year,
and ii the succeeding generation, the
only male member of which is young
Jack" Arnot, son of the Congress-
man, can take as good care Of 1t as did
their immediate predecessors, they will
be fortunate indeed.
~
According to "St. Elton" of the
Pittsburg Penny Press, when Governor
Curtin of Pennsylvania wants place
for constituent he storms up TO the
quarters of the head of department,
slings the doorkeeper over the banis.
ters when he asks for his card, goes
into the official presence, raps his cane
wants. The officer hesitates and starts
to explain. Four more raps. of the
, cane across the desk, each one increas-
i sense of duty, and he gives the war
office furniture. Representative Sow
den also has an effective way. He
steps softly into tho secretary's pres.
enoe and drops into a chair alongside.
Fixing his clear blue eyes on the car
pet, in q gentle voice he modestly
suggests the name of one of his
CUustltuclitS lOT an OluCC, JuSl
as though 1t didn't make any difference
whether he got it or not. His mild
manner throws the secretary off his
guard, and the answer Is: "Would
like to accommodate your friend, bu,
you see there is no vacancy" Then
comes the grand, realistic transforma,
tion scene. Sowden makes his eyes
flash, while his body pulfs out like
some one had opened up twelve
ribbed umbrella inside of him. In q
voice of thunder he lets go with, "Nc
vacancy, and every department lousy
with Republican rascals Is this q
Democratic administration or not, OF
do you fellows want Congress to shu
down on your appropriations? Imus
have this appointment" This racke
works nine times out Of ten, and Sow
den as he leaves with the appointment
will cheerfully remark: "lll be back
next week for another one."
~*~
eyes" said Colonel Mcclure, ap
pointment clerk of the Postollice De
partment to a CRITIC reporter to-day
General Forrest of the Confederate
Army, though born cavalry general
was one of the most illitcrate men tha
ever lived. He and photography, ETY.
mology, syntax and prosody wer
letters from him. They would hav
made Josh Billings and Petroleum v
Nasty as jealous as young girl is o
her first sweetheart. AS many battle
as he was in he never could spell a.
mt no hat,,.r ~, 4, IN, 10
saw one letter from him, in which h.
said that he had been in the war Ion,
time and had come to the conclusion
to git thar the fustest with the mostes
men.
A gentleman whose relations witt
President Cleveland are very intimat
informs New York correspondent O
the Philadelphia Ne,cS that the lresi
dent would not only be marrie
in June, but that the wedding trip Ia,
been partly arranged, The trip woul
embrar Buffalo, Canada and the Whit
MouL aims, and might be even NOR
extensive. While the bridal part
were away several changes would
made in the White House for the com
fort of Mrs. Cleveland. The gentle
man said that the President had bee
decidedly annoyed when the report o
his coming marriage was first published
but now he takes the matter mor
philosophically and even enjoys som
of the paragraphs atloat respecting til
matter.
~
Professor Colliere, the head of
private educational institution of thi
pitv hns omonu bis punils tbroo voun