The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1886-04-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. April 10Th. 1896.
Although the president is qnie, and
leads an orderly, business Ike life,
which would seem to furnish no food
for the gossips. they again have him
about to be married. 1t would he
very remarkable If he could find any
time for love making or love thinking
in the mi,ls, OF his present duties.
In the early morning his desk pre-
sents an interesting sight. Papers Of
every description are there. pertaining
to almost every subject, ard the writ
ing on the envelopes is study. Peo-
pie resort to every means TO catch his
ear and eye, and present their claims
after their own style. "Pcrsonar' is
written on most Of the letters address
ed to him, bu, h S mil is gone through
by Col. Lamont and the sub srcretar-
les, and only the really personal and
important letters are laid on the exc
cutive desk.
One Of the presidents duties is that
Of appeasins the autograph craze.
Whether he takes pleasure in this or
not, he is resigned and goes through
with il goodnaturedly. He usually
writes his signature in this way: Gro
yer Cleveland, April 10Th, 1886. 1"
When he goes to his office in the
morning, DoOrk-eper I.oeftler, three
times a week, takes in little load of
autograph albums and lays them be
fore him. The president has never
refused to write his name in these
books, bu, Loeffler is careful not to
burden him with too many at a time.
A few weeks ago some ladies' inter-
ested in one of the charitable institu-
tons Of this city. called on Mr.. Cleve-
land and requested that he donate his
signature to he voted tor at fair to
be given for the benefit Of the char
ity. He seized a piece of paper,
then stopped, and opening a drawer,
pulled Out his check book, filled it in
for substantial amount, and signed
it gixing it to them With the remark:
~ guess that autograph will do more
good"
Not only do residents Of the city
and visitors leave their albums with
the presidents door keeper for tine
Presidential autograph, but by every
mail, also, come letters requesting the
President to send his autograph to the
writer's. Sometimes he varies the way
Of writing his name by following the
date with Executive Mansion" OI
'sWhite House" but never writes
"President."
Autograph hunters are always plen.
tiful about the Capitol and White
House and leading senators and re-
representatives. are daily solicited for
their signatures. Most Of them arc
accommodating and comply with the
request Of the page who seeks them,
book in hand, but | have noticed that
the new members show the greatest
alacrity in gratifying this demand.
Some OF the albums left at the
White House contain autographs Of
great interest. In one was the chro
graphy Of Josiah Henson, the origi
nal Of Harriet Beecher Stoves "Uncle
Tom," One Of Wendell Phillips
peculiarities was to write with his
name the words: "Peace il possible,
justice at any COST" A characteristic
Of the evangelist Moody is to write
before his name, John, -, g." in the
hope Of instiiling seed OF Christi
anity into the minds Of those who
read by causing them to refer to that
chapter Of the Testament.
The contest in the senate for the
practical abolition of secret sessions is
now going on and the indications are
that it will 20 on until the question is
decided. 1t is politics that is back Of
the movement on both sides Of the
chamber. The republicans believe
that by making public all that the
committees have gathered and may
gather as to the controlling reasons
for making changes in Office, they will
be able to show that the administra
ton has been influenced more by poll
teal reasons than by civil service
ideas. The democrats are not willing
to subject themselves to the charge Of
being afraid to let the pubic know all
that the senate may learn as regard to
removals. The democratic senators
freely charge that the proposition IS a
political move on the part OF their Op
ponents, but as one Of the most proml-
nent democrats Of the BODY said: "We
can't afford to oppose it because il is
popular move"
Senator Logan said: "rhe secrets
Of executives sessions were let out in
some way" Was there ever an ex-
ecutive session to consider an import.
ant matter from which something had