Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-10-30
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Written and compiled for the HERALD.

Written and compiled Tor the HERALD.
The Presidential trip to the Vir'
ginia State Fair dwindled into small
proportions after being heralded so
loudly. The President and Mrs.
Cleveland, the Cabinet and ladies
of the Cabinet, all we're to have
hOnored the Old Dominion with
their presence, but the ladies
changed their minds at the last
moment, as did also several mem
bers of the Cabinet, and remained
at home. This sudden curtailment
of the brilliant procession caused a
good deal of talk here and profess
ed disappointment in Richmond.
Some said their action was in con-
sequence of Miss Winnie Davis,
daughter of the ex.president of the
Confederacy, being a guest of Gov
ernOr Lee, and because she was to
have been a prominent feature of
the pre.arranged reception at the
Gubernatorial Mansion.
The war is not over yet down in
old Virginia, as your correspondent
had an opportunity to learn while
sojourning among its mountains
during the past summer. They
still talk q great deal about blue
blood and southern chivalry, and |
heard lady say she did not like
President Cleveland because from
all that she could learn he did not
have much blue blood in him. |
told her it was true, he did not, but
from all appearances he had a large
quantity of red blood, and then she
seemed satisfied.
But to return to the subject Of
the Presidents trip, Groveris moth
ing if not cautious when it comes to
such matters as the management Of
receptions. That select little CO.
terie of rebels had arranged to have
the Presidential party mostly to
themselves while in Richmond.
The better half of the Administra-
ton prudentially decided to keep
house in Washington until the
President returned, and Mr.. Cleve-
land said he preferred to hold his
reception on the Fair Grounds.
The presidents next trip will be
made on Wednesday, when he will
90, with his Cabinet, to the dedi-
cation of the BarthOldi statue in
New York. To speak accurately, |
should say he will be accompanied
by part of his Cabinet, for the
heterogeneous compounds Of the
present Administration have never
cOalesced even in so unimpOrtant a
matter as that of standing in line
during a procession.
Speaking of Mr.. Cleveland's lack
of blue blood, it is supposed that
his deficiency is amply supplied by
Secretaries Bayard and Endlcott.
These gentlemen represent the ar
iStocracy OF this administration,
claiming long lines of puritan and
patrician decent.
Mr.. Bayard does not obtrude his
aristocracy, but the Endicotts are
very stiff and reserved. Their idea
of festive board by no means
reaches the standard of the free
lunch fighters of Washington So
ciety. The Secretary Of War is
scarcely known TO the public men
here, and has no more influence
among them than one of his sub
ordinates. Indeed he only appears
at the War Department when he
feels inclined, and it is often re-
marked that he regards the pres
ence of a caller as an affront.
You may remember something
about his troubles with Congress
man Collins in regard to their state
appointments. They disagreed be-
cause Mr.. EndicOtt wanted only
Mayhower citizens appointed, while
Mr.. Collins insisted on having good
Democrats who had equal social
standing but not so long a pedi-
giee. Patrick Collins is a frank,
open sort of a business man, who
thinks active participation in poll
ties is perfectly proper. He thought
that almost any of the leading
Democrats of Massachusetts could
be safely put into any OF her feder-
al offices. But Mr.. Endicott would
not be contented with anybody ex-
cept members ofthe "First Church"
and defendants of the Mayhower
breed of men. That is why some
of the best places in the Bay State
were so long held and why some
are still held by Republicans. Yes,
Secretary EndicOtt is a very nice
looking, eminently respectable man,
but he has a great deal more blood
than brains.
A Soft Coal Pool Now.
PITTsBURG, Oct. 2j.-The Post
today says: "a move is being
made by number Of coal opera
to,s ,vIo nca fba railroads and who