New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-28
GOSSIP'AT THE CAPITAL.
THE CHECKERED CAREER OF A SOUTHERN
BRIGADIER.

CLEvELANDS TEMPER AFFECTED BY THE Po
LIT1cAr, s1TUATIoN-coL. "DICK" WINTER
SMITHS SNAKE STORY THOSE I'M
PORTED GRooMs.
Washington. Oct o7.-The official Department life
Of Washington often accentuates with unusual Keen
ness the strange viclssitudes Of fortune. Under the
administration of the late Public Printer. S. Rounds.
all the watchmen at the Government Printing once
were extnon soldiers but under the Democratic Ad-
minstration of Mr. Benedict. all of these have peen
removed, 10 make room, in many instances, Tor ex-
Confederate soldiers. Conspicuous among these Is
gigantic souherner General Gleason who stands over
six feet and three inches in his stockings. Gleason
was one of the ireconcIable, lre-esing. "nosurren
der type, of which the late Governor Toombs, OF
Georgia, a shining example, and at the close OF
the fed into Mexico, where he soldlered with
Juarex against Macmillan. After the death OF the
starred Emperor Gleason still soldier of fortune.
went over to Egypt and fought with General Stone
and other exConcdcrates under the red flag and white
crescent The downfall of Ismail and accession of
Tewk as Khedlve proved fatal to the hopes of most
OF the Southern soldiers and Gleason, among Others
turned TO his native land only IL appears, to achieve
the humble distinction Of preserving the Government
Printing Office from the insidious flames stlll, am
told in moments Of bibulous confidence this grizzled
reeater recounts with becoming eamestncss and tier
alton the glorlcs of Southern blood and Southern
honah, sahl,
Benedict, by the way, appears, like the French
Bourbons, to have learned nothing and TO have for
gotten nothing since the recent investigation OF his
Office 1t appears that quite recently he discharged
worthy and capable employe, who was also an ex-
soldier and comrade OF the G. A. r., for wearing
Harrison and Morton badge, alleging drunkenness
as the cause, to a committee of the G. A. r. who
waited upon him in behalf Of the unfortunate man.
Unhappy for the Public Printer irrefragabo evidence
by responsible citizens produced showing that the
ex-empoyc not only member of temperance
organizations but strict adherent of their tenets.
The nonpussed reformer stammered out that he would
investigate. but his victim has never been restored
The many unfavorable which understand
are constantly reaching the White House regarding Re-
publican gains In different parts Of the country together
with corresponding reports which tell of Democratic
dissensons and deoctons, seriously affecting the
Presidents temper. At time Of very amiable and
engaging disposition the President IS nowadays said
TO be than ever, and to be constantly putting
himself under obligations to the few personal friends
he still retains for their fobearanco and spirit OF for
giveness. " He is than a bear with sore
headT said recent visitor to the White House, after
an interview with Mr. Cleveland, in the course Of
which the political situation had been briefly dis
cussed eyes" said another, and the worst IS.
everybody catches It, from the doorkeepers down TO
Colonel Lamont don't see how the latter stands It,"
A few days ago certain United States Senator
introduced them TO the President Their youth, their
beauy-quite aside from the fact that they ladies
should have insured them a polite. If not cordial re-
cepon. But Mr.. Cleveland seems 10 think differently.
In the OF the short conversation which ensued
after the formal introduction had been made the young
ladies happened TO point out 70 the President that
they must be dstany related to him, and they pro-
ceoded briefly and pleasantly to state their reasons
why. Imagine the pleasure and attention with which
the average gentleman would have received that state
mcnt coming from such lips. Mr.. Cleveand's brow
only contracted he tapped the table impstently with
his fat forefnger and gave other signs OF unmstak
able annoyance and impotence. The young ladies
blushed-they didn't know but what they had commit
ted some dreadful indscretionand the Senator looked
mortified. II must have been a very embarrassing
situation for him and HIS young friends II was rem
dered doubly by the President breaking out sud-
denly, in bis gruffest manner:
ooh, don't about such things at all"
That ended the interview, as may we'll be imagined
Notwithstanding these constant nts Of temper and
testiness 10 which the President is Yielding he Is
gaining enormously in weight Whether this Is the re-
suit OF pic diet merely the effect Of taking no
outdoor exercise whatever leave 10 others to
tain. note in passing, however that carpenters
have been busy this week strengthening the jOsts OF
the second fpor Of the White House. This may be a
curious coincidence only, but It certainly is fact.
| While great efforts being made everywhere to
show the largest slate converts from party the
other the city Of Washington appears to have been
strangely neglected, although II has probably larger
miscellaneous body Of voters from every State and Ter
roy Of the United States within its limits than is TO be
found elsewhere Democratic convert to Republ-
! cansm would hardly be looked for under the iron
rule Of that bltcrest Of all Democratic Bureau Officers
| The Physical Wreck'-and yet such one 1t is my
pleasure to record. J. A. Marceron, a young Demo-
crat, appointed from the West in 1886 in the United
| States Pension Bureau has been converted from his
family traditions Of Democracy and openly proclams
his change Of heart Mr.. Marceron obtained fourteen
days leave Of absence, with advance Of pay for
that period, beginning from the o7th instant; all o.
which was readily granted him by General Black with
the idea that he was of course going homo to cast his
vote for Cleveland and Reform Commissioner
Black WILL however, receive tho converts resignation
shortly and enjoy the novel sensation Of being com
plctcly outwitted by of his own employees. Tho
| manner in which this new Repubcan-who requests
| the publication OF his conversation mentions Tho
Physical Wreck would appear TO convey the impression
that their mutual relations were, 10 put 1t mildly
Just the least bit strained, he states that the
Ananas of Scripture couldn't hold a candle TO Black'
| WHILE as regards Representative Frank Lawler. o
Che ago, his observations, although couched in polite
language, are equally forcibe. This incident Il
noteworthy as emphasizing the fact that although this
Reform Administration places absolute embargo upoi
| the going homo OF Republicans 10 vote, not only
leave of absence also advance Of salary Is glveT
| TO Democratic employees for that purpose.
| Colonel Dick" Wintersmith listened with apparen
good naturcd disgust to some of the "snake stories
which tho youngsters trying TO crowd down hi
throat the other evening at Chamberlin's. As yarr
after yarn unwound by the enterprsng narrators
the Colonel seemed to get restless until he finally bro
| out with
"That's all right, boys but the trouble with you
stories Is that they not"
"wen. suppose you tell us ono that Is absoiutel!
| true,n suggested one of the company.
| al WILL" said the Colonel, promptly.
| And then Dick" told how he found himsel
| travelling hot summer az rnoon along cart
| road cut through what sceme,. miles OF chapparal
somewhere In Texas, l believe. suddenly his pony
| stopped and he nearly thrown forward th