The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-19
CLEvELAND,s DULLNEss.
His Lack of Resources and Deficiency In
Conversational Powers.

His Lack of Resources and Deficiency la
Conversational Powers.
Frank G. Carpenters Washington Letter.
One of the oldest Republican members OF
Congress described to ne last night the only
call he ever made upon President Cleveland,
and he didn't speak of our chief magistrate in
the most euoeistic terms. 81 went to the
White House. he said merely to pay my re-
spects and to size up Cleveland / was taken in
with the crowd ard happened to have seat
near the President and at the end of the line. /
was so seated that I could overhear his con-
versation with the different callers they came
up was astonished at the paucity of his re-
sources. He seemed to have no conversational
ability whatever, and | grew nervous listening
to his platItudes and the uneasiLess with which
he received his callers He had the same
stereotyped expression for each man. shook
hands with each in the same way. and at times
used bad grammar In his talking AS soon
as man came up to him he would say in
measured tones, looking him square IN the eye,
and holding one hand behind his back and push
ing the other out from his side for shake:
How do you do2 | am glad to see youp The
man would. in most cases, say that he had been
a Democrat all his life, and that he was glad to
see that we had again Democratic President.
TO this there seemed to be no answer needed.
and Cleveland would make none. He would
Smile, ana at the next Hail. III INC COuFcrSdtiOH
would invariably say. rising on his toes and
coming down on his heels: We'll, how do you
get alongP During his interview with party
ne never missed saying this to one Of them AT
last my turn approached, and l concluded that
/ would see if he would make the same re-
mark to me. l went through the same
mill. In order that he might remember me l
told him was member of Congress from the
blank district of my State. mentioning the num-
Der My district is, you know, one of the most
noted ones in the United States, and / supposed,
of course, he would remember it, He repled: But
the number of your district gives me no idea as
20 where it is located. ! then mentioned one of
the noted statesmen who had formerly repre-
scented Y, and he seemed to still have no better
idea than before. Finally he said: L believe
your district is interested in the tariff This
was a safe remark, as all districts are so inter
ested Our talk on the tariff did not progress
very rapidly and at last he said, rising on
mis- toes: Well. how do you get alongP | re-
piled: Mr.. President, if You mean how we get
along in Congress, would say mighty slow; If
you mean how my district gets along would
say that il is in very fair condition. ana that
times good; if you mean how personally get
along, would reply that am doing very well.
and thank you for your interest
''At this shook hands with President Cleve-
land, and turned to leave. ! have known the
Presidents of the past Arthur perfectly
st home in his Office, and he made every one
who called npon him feel at home Garfield did
likewise, and Grant was noted for his courtesy.
Zach of them could talk well, and President
Hayes was like unto them"