The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-06-06

How Private John Allen Presented HIS
Case TO President Cleveland


How Private John Allen Presented Ms
Case 10 President cleveland.
The great humorist Of the last con-
gress was private John Allen. OF
Mississippi. who is personally the most
popular man In Washington. There
are few men in the country more
SOUGHT after than Private Allen as
he delights in being called. Every
day Mr.. Aliens mail brings him letters
from all parts OF the country, inviting
hsm TO banquets and to address public
meetings. Aliens appearance is OF
great aid 10 him In affecting his audi
ences. He has a long, sad lace and
he 4 the last man in the worll a per-
SON would take for a humorist. He
looks like the custodian OF a great
grief. He never smiles when he talks
and there Is a pathos in his voice.
Ex-presidcnt Cleveland Is fond OF
telling the story of his experience with
Congressman Allen. Allen had inn
portuned the president time and time
again about the appointment OF a con-
stituent 10 a federal Office. President
Cleveland was overrun with work at
the time. and besides he had good
reasons for not wishing 10 make tho
appointment Just then. Aliens con-
stituents were very impatient over the
delay and very anxious that the Re-
publican who her held the office
should DO removed.
They made the life OF their on
gresham miserable for several months.
and Allen began TO feel that he would
lose his popularity on account OF the
Office. and he decided that something
had 20 be lone 10 bring the matter 10
a determination very quickly. so he
resolved TO approach the president in
a unique way.
Calling nj the White House one
morning he was cordially received by
the president who supposed he had
called upon Official business aud asked
him what he could do for him.
mot a thing. Mr.. President said
the congressman. II was out taking
my morning constitutional, and 1
thought ! would drop in aud tell you
something that happened TO be think
ing OF as ] was passing by. believing
as you are an old lawyer IL might inter-
est YOU
The president, thinking that the on
gresham had some new story that be
wanted 10 give him the benefit of. ex-
pressed his delight al receiving a cal,
from him, and eagerly asked him TO
begin his story.
1T Is "A cnse that / was employed
upon" began Mr.. Allen. ''and through
IL | made the reputation of being a
terrible liar. The case has hung in
the courts for several years. and my
clients were very anxious 10 bring the
affair to an issue. as they knew tina:
when IL was II would be TO their adj
vantage. Well. as | said. IL had gone
on for several years, and at each term
OF court something occurred that COM
pciled a continuance OF the case. /
had been paid a fee in advance. and my
clients grew so impatient that they be-
gan 20 lose confidence in me. | would
tell my clients that their case would
certainly come zap NJ the next term OF
court, but when the cour met the case
would again be continued. although /
fought hard always 10 prevent IL.
Finally my clients lost all confidence in
me and thought that the case would
never be disposed OF. A great many OF
their friends shared this opinion. and I
was losing my popularity very rapidly.
Finally, through sheer desperation, I
went TO the judge and made an appeal
10 him 10 help me out OF my embarrass-
ment but. Mr.. President. he was a
stern Judge and refused 10 aid me.
However. the case was finally disposed
OF and ] re-established my popularity,
but IL made my blood run cold. Mr..
President when l made promises in
good faith and then had them broken
by some one else. Now. Mr.. President,
As an old lawyer yourself. could you
not feel sorry for mepn
ALLEN. 7" says the president. II will
send the name OF your man TO the SEN
ate to-day. You can tell your people
that you have secured the appoint
ment"
Thu nlaawa... -.