The Washington critic., 1886-07-29
W WASHINGTON CRITIC
wAsHINGTON, JULY gD, 1ss0.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.


Mr.. Foran's novel, says the Wash
ington correspondent Of the Cleveland
Plaindealer, is selling success, how
ever much the cities, more or less In
huenced by political bias and tariff
views, may differ. Congressman and
their wives are generally reading IT,
and l hear good many expressions
about Its plots and arguments. Last
Friday one of the visions Of Adonis
from the gallery was the recumbcnt
form Of Beriah wilkins stretched forth
upon sofa, and though only few
feet from the crowds ignoble throng
removed he was oblivious of the buzz
in the House. lie lay there all the
afternoon. The debates did not
disturb his peaceful soul lie
was reading Forans novel, and
1t was better advertisement than
any wooden Indian in front of cigar
store or any walking sandwich man,
Morrison and Mckinley have read the
book and express high opinions of It.
Cultivate was impressed with the
healthy moral II impresses upon labor
ing men, but feared that cheaper
edition is needed to bring 1t within
their grasp. General Pat Collins has
read It and sat up with 1t. Mrs. Nor
rison read It with curiosity that led
from chapter on to chapter. Some of
the Eastern papers have fairly and ap.
provingly discussed IL, while others
could not forego hide-bound partisan.
ship even to condemn literary ven
turc from other motives than that a
Democratic Congressman wrote It,
X"s
In the course of chat with the cor
respondent of tho Boston TrdUeller an
old army officer who was on Grants
staff during the war related the follow
ing interesting statement. He said:
II notice that quite number Of news.
papers have printed letter from some
body who pretends to have in his pos
session the original dispatch sent by
General Grant to President Lincoln
notifying him of Lee s surrender. Now
can tell you the facts about that dis
patch. l know what l am talking
about because was there, and, what
Is more, know where the original dis
patch is, because have seen 1t inside
of week. After the terms of the sur
render had been completed one of
the staff turned to Grant and
said: General, have you notified
President Lincoln?' Grant replied that
he had forgotten to do SO, and thanked
the officer for calling his attention to
the matter. Then he sat down and
wrote the dispatch about which there
is this controversy. He handed 1t to
General Adam Badeau and ordered
him to see that 1t was telegraphed at
once. Badeau rode to the telegraph
station, which was only a short dis
tance away, He copied the dispatch
and handed the copy to the operator.
The original he has now In his posses.
sion. This man who Is parading
through the public prints with the
statement that he owns Grants dis.
patch is simply mistaken. If he has
anything it is the copy in Badeau's s
handwriting.
Nv
What purports to be the true story
of the "Daniel Manning Social Club"
is thus told by the correspondent of the
New York Graphic: A couple OF
months ago some of the young Demo
Gratis in the various departments COM
pared notes on their lack of facilities
and opportunities for becoming &C
quainted and meeting one another
socially. A man could get to know
some of his neighbOrs in the room OF
division where he worked, while hi
might not see in month or have {
chance to be introduced to companion
able chums located on another floor o.
In another building. Talking over thes'
matters, some of the young Democrat
decided that it would be good idea t
organize modest club, admitting non,
but Democrats to membership, anC
even then excluding the "hold. over
Democrats. Nobody was to be eligi
BILE except Democratic officials whc
had come to Washington since Marcl
4, 1885, the aim of the organization
being to thus assure themselves o
fresh blood and congenial spirits
They framed their rules aud bylaws
leased their club house and went to
good deal of expense. One of the las
things they did was to select name
and they called themselves the Man
ming Club, as compliment to tn,
Secretary of the Treasury, who, |
need not be said, is extremely popula
among them. That is the true story II
nutshell, no matter how envy, jeal
ousy or malice may have distorted II
Somebody got the Presidents ear ant
aukasc was soon issued, requiring tn
disbandment and dispersion of tn
club The members are naturally in
dignant and wonder whether Demo
crat in Federal employ has any civic o
social rights which may not be nulli
fed. If the Executive may dictate il
such social matters, they ask, may h
not also determine what church ever
man shall attend
~
We do not believe the story told Of
certain member of the House that h
ever wrote 81 am pared with the men
Der from road Island" but Carpente
of the Cleveland Leader is reminde
by it of unique discussion that one
took place in the Illinois Legislature
when Civil Service COMMISSIONS
Oberly was reporter there. 1t was
cold winter morning and one of til
members from Egypt, ILL.,, rose an
said, pointing to the frozen inkstand
sunk in the legislative desks; M
Cheerman, there are no ink in th
wells AS soon as he took his seat
second member arose aud sad 'Th
member from have said there mir n
ink in the wells The member air mi
taken There air ink in the wells, bl
it air froze.
~*@
&c. NJ. b." of the Philadelphia rim
was recently down at Piney Point, Nd
and while there paid n visit to "Peck