Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-02-03
CRANKS AT THE CAPITAL.
Government Officials Beset by
 Crazy Claimants.
An Annoying Glass of People Who Seem to Ise Attracted Toward Those Who Hold Political
 Places.


 'The recent developments in insanity
 remind me of our experiences in Wash
 ington," said lady whose husband has,
 through two administrations, held a
 nigh office in the government ''Why
 men in official places" she continued,
 ''are not one and all victims of crazy
 malevolence is a wonder. Cranks and
 iunatics of all kinds seem to be part:c-
 ularly attracted toward those who hold
 political places. As rule, their mania
 chiefly consists in writing letters innu-
 merable on every subject under the
 sun to the heads of the departments.
 This, of course, is simply annoying, but
 sometimes it takes a most serious form
 Insane claimants come to Washington
 by the hundreds with preposterous de-
 hands of every kind. Of course, at the
 departments and in their houses the pres
 Idcnt and his cabinet are guarded as far
 as may be from these intruders; but
 they sometimes gain access to the peo-
 pie they desire to see, and give great
 deal of trouble.
 Owing, probably, to my name hay
 ing been more or less in the newspapers,
 l had not a little annoyance from these
 people myself, and women as we'll as
 men used to deluge me with the most
 absurd applications. One very funny
 incident, which, however, was most an-
 moving at the time, occurred after we
 had been in Washington only short
 time and before had warned my serv- ants against these eccentric gentry.
 We had had a big dinner, and l was alone in the drawing-room about eleven o'clock, just after our guests had de- parted. I heard a little hustle in the hall, but, fancying it was some one go- ing away, did not disturb myself about it. Presently the door opened and the footman announced Miss Clark and, quite as if she was an expected guest, in walked a very lady-like look ing woman, who calmly informed me that she had claim against the treas ury department for one million dollars
 and that she had come to stay with us until she had arranged matters satis- factorily. have brought my trunk she explained, very composedly, as I suppose l may have to stop with you for some time.' And to my consterna- tion found that the cabman (for she had arrived in a carriage) had brought her box into the hall and that she had paid and dismissed him. Her whole de meanOr was so quiet and assured that the servant who opened the door never dreamed but that she was expected To have a crazy woman in your house at midnight is not pleasant position, 4 assure you; I felt that she, must be humored, and, making same excuse, hastily sought my hus- band and acquainted him with the situ- ation. Fortunately Dr. -, our good lived within few doors, and, him line to ask his advice and we entertained our strange visitor until he arrived with carriage to take the poor lady to q safe shelter for the night. With great tact he per suaded her to go with him, and she took leave of us with many apologies for her short stay and abrupt departure
 My next experience was more SC. rious. My daughter was to be married and on the afternoon before the we'd ding had gone up to my room for d little rest when l was disturbed by one of the servants, who informed me that a gentleman was downstairs who in- sisted upon seeing Miss Mary (my or myself. He wouldn't give his message, maam.' exclaimed the man, although told him that you did not wish to be ,disturbed.' Thinking that it might be something of impor- tance l went down to the reception room, where found tali, very good-loolling man, who in an agitated manner told me that he had long loved my Mary, had seen her marriage spoken of in the papers, and had travelled night and day from his home in the west to be in time to prevent such sacrifice. He insisted upon seeing my daughter at once. He was so excited that I was terribly | frightened, but kept my presence of mind, and contrived to ring for the foot nan. Show this gentleman out I said, and fairly flew upstairs. Some way or other they got rid of him, but that evening he returned, and again the next morning. Of course he was not | admitted but was made so thoroughly | nervous that my husband sent for d couple of policemen in citizens clothes, who remained with the wedding party | until the young couple were fairly off on the train"