The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-31
A FEW NEW STORIES.
TOLD BY WASHINGTON CORRESPOND
ENTS TO eEGUILE IDLE HOURS.
Interesting Anecdotes About tho Prcsi-
Dental Candidates-How Cleveland Re-
turned Good for Bvii--President Harri-
sons Generosfty--Wcaver az Dandy.
Especial Corrcepondence.l


sons Generosity--wcaver "a a Dand,
Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON, Aug. % Stories about Tn
old days and Of famous men who are ia
away from The silver lining TO the cloud O
midsummer dullness which hangs over th
national capital would seem to be il
order now. Nearly every one Of import
anoe Is out OF town. The departments ar
almost asleep. Painters and upholster
ers have taken the place OF statesmen II
the chamber Of the senate and hall OF th'
house, cad there Is nothing for us TO d.
but eli down and gossip about times which
were more lively and about great men W.
have known. A group Of idle correspond
ents sat In the Press club today talking Of
the presidential campaign.
Il can tell you n new story on Cleve
land" said one OF the correspondents
"and the facts are within my personal
knowledge. About the time Cleveland
was inaueurated new man cameto News
paper row from the far west. He was
naturally anxious to distinguish himself,
but tho field being a new one for him he
scarcely knew how 90 60 about 10. Hav-
ang been educated In the cut-and-slash
school Of journalism typical Of the great
west. and his paper beRg Republican and
bitterly partisan he hit upon the device Of
abusing the new president with character
istio western savagery and recklessness.
Day after day he wrote up Cleveland
with a pen dipped in gall He conld sec
20 good in the master OF the White House,
but much evil Net only was the new
administrator failure. but the president
himself was little short Of a monster
According 10 this correspondent Cleve-
land was not only an insincere, demagogic
public servant, but his private life and
personal habits were wretched In the ex-
treme. Vivid pen pictures were painted
of the presidents midnight carousals, OF
his orgies in the White House, Of his
bloated person and low associations. These
attacks continued until they finally at
tracted the attention Of che president HIM
self. Dan Lamont kept the papers in
which they first appeared out Of the execu-
tive mansion, but as many Of the abusive
articles were copied In other papers his
vigilance proved unayailing, and unpleas-
ant quotations fell under Cleveland's eye.
"Dan,' said the president one day, who
IL the writer OF these articlesF
Don't know replied the adroit private
secretary, but IN find ont
80 Lamont made some inquiries and
learned that the offending correspondent
was an honest fellow end generous one,
though somewhat credulous Of the stories
circulated by the presidents enemies and
little too eager TO 'aail In
"'Dan, said the president after he had
received this report, j want to see that
man Ask him 70 come up here
1.-THE astute private secretary oidD't
like the idea at all. He thought there
would be row, in which the president
might lose bis temper and say things
somewhat undignifed for one occupying
his high station. He underworld TO dis
suade the president from meeting the
abusive correspondent, but without avail;
Growers mind was mode up, and as you
all know be is pretty stubborn individ-
ual Lamont didn't think it a seemly
thing fer the president of the United
States 10 send for newspaper writer for
the purpose Of calling him 20 task. so he
contrived 70 get Tho correspondent into
the White House without formally send
ing for him. While the writer was in
Iamont's room, chatting about news, the
private secretary sent a note to the presi-
dent, and the latter soon appeared on the
scene. Dams act was 20 bring the two
men together IN hts presence, 80 that he
might restrain either or both, IL neces-
sary, and also 70 carry out the presidents
request without letting the correspondent
know DO had been honored with q SUM
mons 10 tho White House. AS soon as the
correspondent had been introduced his
breath was nearly taken away when the
president looked him straight III the eyes
and said
Mr. Blanks am about TO go out for
drive. Win you give me the pleasure Of
your companyF
1.-THE correspondents looked at Dan for an
explanation, but the willy Daniel was
nearly ready % fan OF his chair Though
nearly durnfounded. tho newspaper man
Tho Washington tradition that
IN all social matters Q request from the
president Of the United States is equivalent
90 a command. ADD be managed to STAN
mer out Certainly, Mr. President He
sfterward confessed TO me that as he fol
lowed Cleveland out to the carriage he was
In great doubt ~ 10 whether the president !
meant 10 take him 10 some quiet spot in |
Rock Greek valley and murder him or to |
Offer him consnlship In order to get him |
out of the couptry.
But this Is what did happen. Mr.. |
Cleveland talked TO the newspaper man In |
q quiet. firm way about the attacks which |
the latter bad madenn him. Heconvinced |
the correspondent he had been imposed |
upon by mischievous enemies of the ad-
and that he had been in |
duced, through mistaken zeal, TO give cir |
culation 10 charges which were false and |
therefore unjust. All this was done in
such excellent temper, with such entire dig
nifty and self respect, that the good sense
Of the correspondent was appealed TO. He
begged the presidents pardon and became
one Of MIR. Cleveland wsrmest admirers"
Other correspondents In the group cited
Incidents showing the same quality Of good
senper and frankness In the ex-president
and then one OF the scrfbes told this story
OF President Harrison;
About two years ago, you allremember,
there was one evening great excitement Ia
the White House. An intruder had been
grappied with by the president himself in
the Green room and sjected after strug-
gle Il didn't reach the public at the
time. but within the executive mansion
there WAS fear that the president had Ell
eounterod an assassin and received terrible
wounds, for after the struggle General
Harrison's hands, face and clothing were
stained with blood
He was uninjured, however, the blood
stains having been received from contact