The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-09

| gresham Describes HIS Experiences
Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON. Feb. 0.-Public men com
plain most bitterly that society makes
such large demands upon their time that
they cannot properly get through their
work. At the last White House rcccp-
lion | sat down in the East Room, taking
possession Of secluded corner, and
watched the famous men and beautiful
women who were promcnading thatnoblc
|. apartment, rejecting upon their daily
lives, their antcccdonts, their life strug-
Giles and daily routine. On such an occa-
.,o,. ~ s,ns 4 is always oL~ogs that the
woman is serene ami contenfan self
possessed. while the man IL is who seems
pressed for time, who is nervous about
his appearance and his manners.
As good lack would have i'll was joined
I'm this nook Of observation by the man,
of an others. whom / wanted 70 see
young and handsome Congressman Dol
liver. Of Iowa. Deliver l wanted 10 see
because knew him rs an eloquent and
thoughtful man. a wit and philosopher
original and courageous in his thoughts
and cxprcssions. and tine more interesting
because an this spectacular ahability and
dressv show OF cordiality was new and
strange 10 him. In short. / wanted 10
know what man Of brains and sense,
fresh from the people and from form
Of society much Simpler than this, would
think Of il al.
"Dolliyer." said l, rs he sat down be-
side me. "tcll me how this scene inn
presses you.
"First." lac replied, "let me tell you Of
my experience here tonight. 1t was my
Grst taste Of official society. as seen at
public lcvcc in the executive mansion. J
did not know what 20 do when / came
hcre. and so thought it best simply 10
follow the crowd u took me forty min
utcs 70 get from the front door TO The
coat room. and there coiored man
grabbed my hat and coat. while | was
willing 10 wager something handsome
that ! should never get them back again
Ten minutes later and the stream Of PEG
plo bad carried me with them 60 the re-
cepiion room. was little dazcd 10y
what occurred there. aud have been
little dazcd ever since. / remember
hearing my name sung ont by some one,
Mr.. Dolliyerr 4 man whom | took for
fAa president grabbed my hand and
pumped my right arm zap and down
couple Of times. Then / was showed
along 20 Mrs. Harrison, | think It was.
My arm was pumped again, and
as another cog was turned by the
machine ! heard myself greeted by
fbo second lady as Mr.. CULVER.
Again the pump motion was applied,
the machine took up another cog, and
was introduced 10 the next lady as Mr..
Melville More pump like movement
of the right arm, and with the lights
dazzling my ewes. and my brain little
disordcrcd by visionso of beautiful women
and gorgeous dresses. was passed along
70 still another Here | recovered my
self sufficiently 10 endeavor TO regain
possession of my proper name but when.
five seconds later, the machine moved
again | found the pump action just like
lis predecessors and a large, handsome
woman with a French accent calling me
MIR. Gollyboy' Then l gave it up,
and resigned myself to anything that
might happen b. the way Of impromptu
nomenclature. .,ore pump handle
movements. more parodies on the name
that had come honestly by, and finally
] reached the end Of the line and as
Gen Zollicoifel' made my escape into
the East Room. Let me sit down and
catch my BREATH
"And YOU like III"
"Well. it is wonderful spectacle. and
am fond of the spectacular All the
glimpses have had of the society Of
Washington interest me, particularly the
fine dinners. IL seems 10 me that the
dinner is the most rational and enduring
form Of social activity here never
fail 10 accept an invitation 10 dinner
.lut what strikes me most forcibly is
= demands this social business makes
on ones time. How some Of the sena-
ors and members manage TO get through
heir work and give SO much time TO so
ial matters is more than can under.
stand. OF course ! am willing TO con-
ccdc that this society is very fascinating.
] must confess that it has taken hold of
me IN a way which had not dreamed
of. | came down here, as / am told
many a Young congressman had come
before me, full Of ambition and clothed
in good resolutions. was not going to
daily with the glittcring temptcr, soci-
ctv. Ny days were to be spent in the
work OF the house of representatives and
in the service of my constituents, while
my evenings were to be devoted to letter
writing and to study. Now as a matter
Of fact have been out to a dinner or
reception every night for week. have
almost lived in "a dress coat"
"And you find yourself much pressed
for ,imes"
."All the while. issomething new i'm
my experience. I'm the country town in
which lived wc did not know what il was
10 be hurried. We arose at a reasonable
hour in the morning, had leisure 70 read
two or three newspapers before break
! fast. walked down TO the Office, stopping
a. chat with friends on the way, had an
hour or two for a midday dinner, took a
i nap thereafter il so inclined, and in this
|luNurious manner spent the day and the
evening. But tins is different sort of
Bic Take my experience Of today as a
sample Of every days experience, not
SDnly Of mine but OF every cOngrcssmans
hnd senator's. | breakfasted az s, at
WAS in a hired cab going 20 the govern
Aent printing Office TO get Job
an old constituent Of mine, from
70 the pension Office 10 look up
for worldly woman Of my district
60 the postoflico department TO see
postollice appointment, to the
reasury. 10 the war department and
naliy to the Capitol All day there !
rote letters - my constituents. At 8
clock the house adjourned, and had
engagement 10 dine at four miles
he Capitol A rapid drive, a light /