National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-13
Breakfast Table Letter to the President

Your Secretaries Of State and War represent
the blue blood Of your Cabinet, each coming
from ancestral lines Of pilgrim and cavalier.
They are stately and digniiicd in person, of
high cultivation, of ample fortunes,
and born aristocrats. No one would
ever think of approaching these gen
tlcmcn with Pan.Electrc to obtain the in.
Huence Of their exalted positions. to give 1t
intrinsic value. Both of these gentlemen, on
social occasions, would scorn TO appear with.
ont swallow.tails. In such presence news.
paper man should draw the line and wear
Prince Albert. Believing this to be the proper
thing, the writer accepted your invitation to
the reception of the diplomatic corps, from
TO II last evening and was pleased to find that
WGshingtons first citizens appeared in Prince
Alborts. Thus wealth and power appeared on
the same occasion in the same dress. This
was indeed n brilliant and most imposing rs.
sembloge. The diplomats in gorgeous attire,
the officers of our army and navy in uniform,
the representatives of our magnificent race of
men and women in every variety Of elegant
costume, all added to the grace and splendor
of the scene. OF the ladies none were more
charming than Mrs. Secretary Manning, ns she
held the post of honor, having you as an escort
in opening the ceremonies of the evening.
The late Vice President said of your secrc-
tary Of the Treasury that he was as firm and
solid as n gate post, and MS 1t takes two posts
for a gate, Mr.. Hendricks might have added
fl companion piece for his chief in holding
the gateway TO the Treasury.
As n party manager the Secretary has no
superior; as banker, he favors the bankers
money and organized the treasury accord.
ipgly. 1t would be well for your administra.
ton that you should advise him to read Coke,
of Texas, on the management of the treasury.
II would help his understanding Of the uses of
the peoples money"
II is reported that the eighty millions OF
dollars in the Office of the assistant treasurer
ut san Francisco was transferred to the new
appontce In an unbusinosslike manner, and
that against the earnest protest of the retiring
officer, which protest is now on file in the
records Of the treasury, giving hc reasons tcly he
prohStcd. This paper, under Senator Morgans
construction Of the constitution, the Senate
has no business with, for, he says, 1t is uncon-
stitutional for Congress to appropriate money
for educational purposes. 1t Is therefore I'M
constitutional for the Senate to get any in.
formation in regard to the counting of the
money. This is close logic, just as close as to
argue that asking for information was asking
for reasons why.
If your Attorney General can be persuaded
to donate his Fan. Electric stock to the Garfield
Hospital or the Associated Charities, or to
some Catholic priest as conscience money, and
wear swallow.tail, the New York World is
prepared to forgive him. But in the eyes of
Brother Dana, of the New York sun, he will
remain a sinner. Then, Mr.. President, 1t will
be proper for you TO call upon him who is with.
out sin to cast the first stone.
The real truth is, your Attorney General Is
from the country, and he fell among sharpers,
and he tried to learn where the little joker was
that would give HIM sudden wealth. Many q
man before him has tried to "strike OIL" Ills
ncighbors, who know him thoroughly say he
Is good man, q good neighbor, aud good
lawyer, and it's mighty doubtful, compelled as
you are TO pick among lawyers, whether you
will be able to find a better one. They are a
privileged class, under the law, for they make
the laws They are permitted by public opin.
ion and law to do anything for their clients.
I patl thotf hot l,,t Il,
defense OF their client. to 20 TO the verge OF
high treason,
1t may be II little foggy just now, while the
Bell telephone suit is progressing, but, Mr.,
President you sometimes wear glasses and
probably have got good pair. Surprising
they get blurred aud affect your vision, would
you throw them away, or rub them up and
give them another trial?
DR.. Talmage said the other day TO the writer
that he could denounce sin in strong terms
but that instinotively he had none other than
kind words for individuals. There's where
the heart gets its work in. But you, as Chic
judgment Of what is right and wrong, and SC
act.
The remainder of your Cabinet must be re-
served for another executive session. The Sec
rotaryof the Navy is large subject, and may
demand q special session, but the discussion
will be upon the Talmage plan. Your genial
Postmaster General, however, requires word
Of Ndmonition, and to properly enforce 1t tn,
subject is illustrated in this issue of the Ma
TIoNAL REPUBLICAN.
Mr.. President: You are Democrat, and still
you permit your Postmaster General to let
simon.pure Democrat from the Republican
state Of Kansas come to the national capital
with good Endorsements for a postoiiice, ant
turn deaf ear to his application. In his ne
cessity he Is driven to accept charity, but hi
pride and honesty could not long endure this
and he has now n position in the Navy Dc
partment, namely, saving wood at the nav,
yard,
1.-The were Mugwump and u traitor to the
Republican party he might be warming hi
toes in New York or Cleveland postolllce
Is Il too much to ask you to send for this hon
est, Woodworking but poor Democrat and hant
him commission as postmaster for a small
town in Kansas? lie may not make muol
money but he will do for you what the OLE
Massachusetts fisherman advised hisson, zeke
to do for him when he put him In charge o
the ilsh-wagon one morning; "Now remember
Zeke,t blow your horn, You don' sell shad.
The lew postmaster would blow yylIr horn al
over Kansas,
THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,.
Free transportation OF Works of Art
Mr.. Belmont, Of New York, presented Il