Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-18
A Congressman Recognized That
Further Effort Was Useless.
A LIGHT HOUSE KEEPERS DISCHARGE
An Incident Connected With an
Outing Of the President.
! FOREIGNER ASTONISHED


freSfuent cleveland appreciates the hUm0r
of good story. and this fact accounts in
part. no doubt. for his friendship for Capt
Robley Evans. who is a prince of story tell
ers. 1t is for this reason. likewise. that
when the President goes on a trip for his
health and to get away from the cares of
state he likes to have Capt. Evans along
to entertain him.
One Of the captains latest stories, told to
Mr.. Cleveland and by him repeated to his
cabinet minister's. WAS particularly inter
esting. because the President himself was
connected with the incident. 1t was this
incident, by the way. which. besides AFFORD
Ing the President no little amusement led
him TO direct that hereafter lighthouse keep
ers shall be selected by the collectors of
customs because Of their fitness for the po-
sitions. and that they shall rot be ap-
pointed, as heretofore. upon the recommen-
dations of politicians. thus institutng an
important reform in tee civil service.
'fhe Cedar rOint Light Mouse fire.
1t will be remembered that early last WIN
ter the President took u trip down the Po-
tomac in lighthouse tender, accompanied
by Secretary Gresham. Secretary Carlisle
and Capt. Evans. AS Secretary Carlisle is
ex-ofhcio president OF the light mousse board.
and as Capt. Evans is naval secretary OF
that board, they thought to combine pusi-
ness with pleasure by inspecting the light
houses along the route. Their nrst stop was
at Cedar Point, where they arrived In the
evening ana cast anchor, intending to go
ashore IN the morning to make their in
specton. but, oddly enough, while they lay
there, iate in the evening. the light house
caught IRE ana burned up, the President
ana his party witnessing the burning from
their vessel.
Ine iel>t morning when Capt. Evans. &C
companied by Secretary Carlisle, went
6 nr tg ma 80
Migration. Uney found that the lighthouse
keeper mad been absent from his post OF
duty the previous evening. contrary 10
rules, AMI that the light house had burned
up during his absence.
Abe Keeper Dismissed.
The President and his parry proceeded on
their voyage: and. some ten days later,
when they returned TO Washington, one of
the matters which Capt. Evans fosnd
awaiting his attention was report from
the inspector Of the Potomac light houses
giving an account of the burning OF Cedar
Point lighthouse. and recommending the
dismissal of the keeper from the service for
neglect of duty. Inc captain promptly di-
rectei that letter to the Secretary, recon-
mendinS the Keepers dismissal. should be
prepared for his signature. rms was done,
anu the keeper was dismissed.
One day ,aDout 4 fortnight after this event
occurred, one OF the secretaries OF the light
house board was sitting at his oesK in the
lighthouse Office in the treasury, and near
HIM sat a young cheSalier from the Italian
lighthouse establishment, who had been
sent to Washington to make a study of
the lighthouse system OF the United States.
he had been duly presented to the officers
or the board. and had requested, as the best
way of obtaining idea of the modes OF
business in the Office, that he might be per-
united to occupy a seat in the secre,ary'S
room. and to ask such questions as from
time to time occurred to him. While he
was sitting there for this purpose, a men,
Der Of Congress entered, accompanied by
the discharge dCeiar Point light house keep
er. The man was from the members dis
mendation, and the member had come to
have MIN restored. lie was very indignant
because his man had been removed without
any consultation with him.
The COnxressmnn's Inquiry.
II want to know who wrote the letter
recommending this mans dismissal" said
the Congressman.
The polite secretary invited the member
and his friend to be seated. and touched his
bell. Il will send for a copy of the letter.
and you shall see 1t for yourself" said he.
Il suppose" proceeded the Congressman.
taking a seat that the dismissal was
made on the report OF some ID inspector
who didn't know half the facts. / am going
to see Capt. Evans about it and have the
natter fixed
By this time the letter-book was brought
and. placing 1t before the member, the sec
retary said: You see. the letter is signed
by Capt. Evans"
"Ohi Bob Evans signed It. did hep Then,
reading the letter, he added, 1T is Just as
thought; he mas based his recommended
ton on the report of an inspector. Give
me a copy of that letter; am going to see
Capt. Evans about it
Certainly" replied the bland secretary.
a a
er-I believe that Capt. Evans is personally
advised of the facts in this case"
Personally advised! What does he know
about the matter except from this inspec-
tors report?"
They Were All There.
"Well, you see, it happened that Capt.
Evans was at Cedar Point when the light
house burned
Evans was there himself?'
Yes; he was there at the time. on one Of
the lighthouse vessels. and, / think. he
n ade some inquiry into the matter
"Oh, well, If the captain was there, and
Las signed this letter, suppose there is no
use of my seeing him. Give me the COPY,
though, and will go and see Carlisle"
Certainly; of course; the copy will be
ready in a moment: but, think. the Secre-
tary, too, knows about the matter, as he
was also at the light house at the time"
Carlisle was at Cedar Point when the
Yes; he and Capt. Evans were there to-
gether."
''The devil they were Well. then there's
no use of my seeing him.. I'll have to go to
my friend Gresham; he'll fix 1t for me. Let
ME have the copy all the same"
Yes; to be sure; but-er-general-the
fact is-er-that Secretary Gresham was al
so there"
do you mean to say that Carlisle and
Gresham and Bob Evans were all at Cedar
Point when that light house burned up?'
Yes; it just happened that they were all
there"
well. I'll be ID. This is very strange,
I'll have to see the old man himself; I'll 20
to the President. Is that copy ready?"
yes; 1t has just come, here 1t Is; but
perhaps / ought to say-you ought to
know-that is to say, that the President
probably knows about the case, as he was
likewise at Cedar Point"
THE President was therer Good God!
Well, Smith," turning to his man, 81 guess
your goose is cooked. Wen have to give II
up"
The Chevalier Was Surprised.
When the member and his man had taken
their departure the chevalier who had lis
tened with the greatest interest to the con-
versation. arose and stood before the SEQ
rotary. his face beaming with smiles, and,
making q low bow, he saidi "Meestaire
Secretaire. pairmeet me to con-grat-u-l late
q,