The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-07-06
ALL IN BLUE AND BRASS.
Washington Thronged With Wearers, of
Uniforms.
Ne,vs and Courier.

| SSO AoooH tuo CdpltOI, anu
the Congressman would 20 to the
FfesIdentswith him, he would be able
20 .secare place as quartermaster.
Ihls letter was thrown in the shade
by another letter from the son of an
Old schoolmate in Oklahoma. In
some way he had secured an appoint
meut in the army, and was detailed
for duty at Tampa. He asked the
Representative to go to the adjutant
general and secure transportation for
him. Subsequently it was ascertained
that the adjussnt general was over
whelmed with similar applications.
The law, however, is specific and does
not allow transportation in such cases.
The Congressman also incidentally
learned from the same sc ,rce that
there were from five to six thousand
applications for every Office within the
gift of the President that called for
the wearing Of uniform.
A third letter was from the presi-
dent of Western college. He had q
smart boy who had attended private
military school, and who was anxious
to be made a lieutenant in the volun-
teer forces. He had already made his
application to the President and
thought that little political influence
would secure the appointment. An
other application was from we'll
known hotel proprietor, whose step
son was anxious to serve his country.
lt seems that some years ago the
President was guest at his hotel.
He fancied this gave him claim upon
the Presidents attention, and if the
proper influence was brought to bear
the step-son could secure the position
to which he aspired.
a dozep or more letters Of similar
nature were opened, and the Repre-
sentative was dressing himself when
two cards were sent up to his rocm.
When the visitors were admitted they
bore letters of introduction from par
ties unknown to the Representative.
One was seeking q position in the
engineer corps of the navy, and the
other wanted to be commissioned an
officer in regiment of sharpshooters.
When told that no such regiment had
been authorized by Act of Congress
he seemed dumfounded, and presented
a newspaper clipping which stated that
such regiment was already being
organized.
After breakfast the Congressman
hailed street car and started for the
Capitol. He had hardly paid his fare
before the son-in-law of auold friend
claimed his attention. He was riding
wheel at the side Of the car. He
shouted that he had heard there were
several vacancies in the marine CORPS.
and that it was within the power of
the Congressman 10 secure his sp-
pointment as q second lieutenant.
He thought that If the position was
obtained he might quickly be promoted
through the same influence to cap
,taincy. He based his application on
the fact that he had been Confede-
rate soldier AS he was not more
than rs years old the Congressman
expressed some astonishment. u
turned out that he had served in tic
Confederacy in Brunson Howard's
play of Shenandoah"
When the Representative arrived at
the Capitol 'his.real troubles began.
A lady besought him to do what he
could toward eating a commission for
her son in the navy. He had recently
graduated from college, his grand
father had been distinguished officer
in thenavy and she was anxious that
her SOD should follow in his patriotic
footsteps. AT the door Of the House
"a giant confronted the Congressman.
He had "a fierce military air and spoke
broken English. The giant had
q letter Of introduction from q we'll
known commission merchant Of Bos-
ton. It stated that he had been
actively employed in the military
service Of the King Of Greece, and
that he was desirous Of giving the
American Republic the beneftof his
practical education. When asked
what place he desired he replied ::
ssCheneral Of prigadiers, if bosseeble, =
but he intimated that he might bo
content with the rank Of colonel.
AT every turn there were applicants
for positiona in the army and the
navy. It was impossible for the
Representative to remain upon the
door Of the House and give his atten-
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