The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-04
Especial Corresnondence.l

lSpec1d1 COFTeSpO0Oe0c6.l
WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator Dolph,
of Oregon, the statesman who has the ewes OF
q saint and the beard of prophet, has been
having no end of trouble In bis effort to find
out how the secrets of executive sessions are
given 90 the press. Though genial, kindly
gentleman, Senator DoIph is a great stickler
for senatorial dignity. l CHANGED to see him
a few nights ago under circumstances in
which his dignity suffered severely. If any
one should say Of this handsome senator that
he is not much more than an errand boy for
his constituents, probably he would be much
offended, butit was as an errand boy, and
an errand boy In a stress Of weather, that
saw him on the occasion just spoken Of.
Late one night I was passing the residence
of Postmaster General. Wanamaker on
street, when a curious figure attracted my
attention; it was that Of tall, long bearded
man; he stood in the doorway Of the Wanna
maker house, with his hand upon the knocker.
A snowstorm was raging, the only one
Washington has had this winter, and the
fast falling, damp fakes had gathered on the
mans great coat and long beard till he much
reSembled Santa Claus on his holiday rounds
Looking closer saw that the stranger was
none other than good Senator Dolph, and
next day / made some inquiries about the
purpose of his midnight visit to the residence
Of the head of the postoffice department.
About 9 O'Clock in the evening, just as Sen,
ator Dolph had put on his slippers and settled
down in his library for pleasant hour before
the fire, a telegraph boy brought him a mes
sage from one Of his constituents in Oregon.
The senator read the telegram and sighed.
Then he sent his servant for his great coat
and his mufders, his rubbers and a cab Il
must go out and run around and see some
people," he said. ''Now, make haste" And
what do you suppose was the matter with the
constituent in far off Oregon? Why, he had
mailed a letter to a correspondent in Birmng-
ham, England, and after mailing the letter
had discovered some very weighty reason
why he did not want 1t delivered TO the man
to whom it was addressed. So he wired his
senator to see the postmaster general and
have the letter called back. He added In his
telegram that it was a very important mat
ter, representing thousands of dollars 10 him,
and family considerations besides.
Mr.. WanaInaker was Just crawling into
bed when his man informed him that Sena-
tor Dolph, looking like Santa Claus, was in
the parlOr and very anxious to see him. The
postmaster general retiTes early, sometimes at
8, and it is only on rare occasions that he will
permit himself to be disturbed. But of course
he could not deny the request Of an errand
boy Of as much Importance as Senator Dolph,
and he went down and listened to the tale of
woe about the letter that never ought to have
gone. Il don't believe we can do a thing"
said Mr.. Wanamaker. My recollection is
that we have had to deny several such re-
quests. But you so and see Clarkson. He'll
know
SO the senator went out into the storm and
drove to the residence of the first assistant
postmaster general Mr.. 4larkson had not
retired. He, being an Oh newspaper man,
who saw his paper to press at 8 a. m. for
many years, has not the heart to waste time
by going to bed before midnight.
Nothing can be done, y he said, when err
rand boy Dolph had told his story. After a
letter is mailed it is the property of the adj
dressee, and we have no power over it unless
it is a matter pertaining to the detection of
crime. Even in that case ample proof must
be SHOWN before the department can withhold
a letter from the person to whom it is adj
dressed. This letter is probably on the ocean
this minute, and will be in the custody of the
British pOsteffice before we could reach il.
Even if IL were a case of detection of crime,
l doubt if we could recover it under the cir
cumstances. Requests of this nature reach
the department every day. Business men
mail letters which they regret having sent,
and appeal to Us to get them back for them.
We have even had requests for the return of
letters between lovers who have quarreled
and in anger written words which they de-
sired to recall when it was too late The law
gives US no opportunity to play the part of
neacemaker y