Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-04-28
SPECIAL CORRESPONDS
ENCE.
WAsuINsroS, D. c., April %.

Washington. Old citizens, who have
Witnessed the chnnges of ndlninistra.
tions for nearly huff century, do.
clare they never before behcld such n
scramble for political plums.
This is indeed IL time when the
wives of the prominent officials are
truly regarded as the "better half,~
for they are as constantly besieued
oy the army of Office seekers rs nre
their husbands.
So great nre tho demands upon
these Indies that unless II caller is
known hot to ''wnnt Office" they are
mot at home"
This anxious applicants will not
believe what their Senators and Con
gresemen tell thel1 of how difficult il
is To secure positions. They come
here, thinking it is only necessary, in
order 10 obtain an appointmont. to
be ON tue spot. They find that on,
the spot neaus "spot cash." and II
goodly sum of it, too, to meet tn.
enormous expenses of Washington
living.
Every hour and every moment
crushes somebody's hopes, and leaves
somebody the bitter fruit of disap.
pointment to carry back to tho old
home.
A few days ago Senator Blackburn,
after vainly striving to procure Il
place for II Kentuckian, who hnd
tspent his last dollar whiting for mn
appointment, wrs obliged, through
friendship to purchase him ticket
to his home. The return of this dis
appointed seeker is but one of muuy
instances.
The entranciug halo surrounding n
public Office, is more deceiving than
u willie the.wisp, aud even high OIL
cials grow tired pursuing the vanity,
aud bearing tho increasing burden of
replying to the numberles entreaties
for appointments. Of course it l..
hard, but for every place to be flied
there arc almost countless applicants.
aud while many nny feel cnlled, ouly
one for each position eau bo chosen.
1t is an interesting study to watch
the process OF applications being
made. The greatest pressure il ut
the White House, where, except Oh
Cabinet days, the human stream
pours into the front door from early
morning until the doorkeepers MI
nouhce the closing up.
Promptly Mt ten, President Cleve-
land enters his private reception
room, which is II large one at the
head of the stairs and facing South.
This is delightful apartment. The
furniture is all nnssive and uphol
stored in dark leather
The Presidents chair, which is
particularly large nnd comfortable,
is placed near II long library tnble,
However, he rarely occupies ii, as he
seems to prefer standing. Some
times he leans against the table, aud
he sometimes stands on ono foot,
then on the other, just as any Amer.
icnn citizen might do. a huge bou-
qnet of fresh flowers brightens this
sunny room. which is more often the
scene of bitter disappointment than
of congratulution The callers stand
in II row and Mr.. Cleveland advances
and shakes-hands with much cordinl.
ity.
Horny handed farmers, meachants,
tnilors, lawyers. ladies' and all fare
alike. The President patiently lis
tens to each ones story, and it is Of.
ten tale of woe. Widows i'm deon
'uourning. young girls, whose toll
thinned faces hive lost all touch of
youth in tho heavy grind against tue
rougher edges of life, aged men with
sunken eyes, and hair as gray as the
dawn. and beardless youths are there,
all seeking something from the great
giver of political blessings. This
grand old White House echoes some
amusing stories, but far more fire.
quently are they tinged with a pnthos
that would touch heart of stone.
Following the Inauguration of the
President, the Washington world wns
filled with anxiety to call on Mrs.
Cleveland. But days passed into
weeks before her first reception was
announced, and for that the invita-
tons were sent out from the State
Department, and we're exclusively 10
the ladies of the Diplomatic corps.
. Since that function sh receives
those to whom she has sent invita-
tions to coll, two afternoons every
week. Needless to say there is q
rush for these notes of invitation and
all sorts of woman planned cbicanery
man-ccnnived trickery is called forth
to secure them. a bidding to her
home, by the first lady of the land.
has in it, for some people, magic
echo of greatness.
:. Mrs. Cleveland receives her guests
In the beautiful Blue Room, stand;no
ing IN the Same spot where she stood
during her marriage ceremony seven
years ngo. The windows are dorkan
ed, the only radiance falling from
tiny jets of incandescent light far I'm
in the ceiling. The effect is exceed, /
luuiV nratty on1 fl,o.,.. =,