The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-03

PRESIDENT ARTHUR OvERRuLED.
How Col. Sheridan Bossed the Govern
ment When 1t Was ON Wheels.

New York Sun.
Il am glad Mike Sheridan has been pro-
when 'PhiI' was it's idol and Mike. his
brother, was handicapped by his superior
BEEN
Il was the innocent cause of trouble once
between PRESIDENT Arthur, Col. Mike Sher-
I Msi al ana Judge GresSham who at the time
with the presidential party from Louisville
to Chicago on daylight train. The pro-
journey to Yellowstone. l was expected by
nay employers TO be one of that jaunt. had
asked Judge Gresham about it, and he re-
piled that he had no authority to issue an
invitation, and, while he saw no reason for
objection, he was of opinion that Colonel
Sheridan, who was to conduct the party to
its destination, would not give his consent.
And the judge added good-naturedly that 1
might use his name to Colonel Sheridan If 1
saw mt to make the application.
Through another channel l reached Pres
1dent Arthur, who was gracious in his an
sWer Personally he had no objection. I'm
fortunately, he had no control. l must see
Colonel Sheridan. 1 had met Colonel Sher-
tdan when he was attached to headquarters.
General Sheridan always referred us to
Mike for information, bc cause Mike had
an emphatic manner in times of peace
which the commander of the department
did not like TO exhibit. When l made known
the request of my people to Colonel Sher-
idan he replied that no correspondents
would be allowed on the train or with the
party during its soJourn in the park or with
it on its return. I showed Colonel Sheridan
a pass which had been issued for the Pres
ident's train. He examined it and repeated
what he had said, adding:
The company had no right to issue that
pass for this train. This is government
as government business. The train is the
governments for this occasion. If you board
that train this pass will be taken up and
you will be put Off
'It seemed 20 me this was sufficient.
told my people what the colonel said. My
superior replied that he expected me to
n a a 10 ~ holt Of
least. ne so professed. that / would be put
off. l went TO the train while ii was on
in an express Office, passed from his office
out of a window that opened up way to
the train. The commissary car was the
only one in the train to which I could gain
access. No ore challenged me- 1 pretended
to be engaged in the pages of a magazine.
The engine bumped the cars and pulled
them out and backed them on the main
track. l heard the music and the crowds
shouts and knew the presidential party was
near. The fact that l was there in ohedi-
enee to orders did not relieve the accom-
panying sensation that / was an interloper.
AT the moment I was that lire of
thought Colonel Sheridan entered the car
abruptly. His remarks were shotted | knew
he was right. told him so. When he had
cooled told him that Judge Gresham had
The reply of the colonel convinced me that
he had no respect, in this siatuation, for
the Cabinet; Then | played my last card.
l said the President had no personal objec-
ton. The reply of the colonel convinced
me that for the time being the President of
the United states could issue no orders that
would be respected.
II asked if l might see the President be-
fore the train pulled out This was granted
and 1 went back 10 ask some fool question
l met Judge Gresham and appealed to nirn
He reported my request to the President
This is the reply Judge Gresham brought to
me as / stood in the vestbule:
The President says he cannot even take
a drink on this train until Colonel Sheridan
says So.
AT that moment Colonel Sheridan came
up and told him the President wanted
drink
" The President can't have IL until the
train gets out of town. was the reply ac-
companied by a few Illuminated words
which / will not repeat. Then / knew l
couldn't CO."