The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-09-07
AFTER-DINNER POLITICS
Two Presidential Izaak Waltous.
BY DIR. Il. J. EDWARDS.

Although President Arthur and
President Cleveland differed greatly
both in temperamental and mental
qualities and also in certain personal
characteristics, nevertheless the two
men were very congenial There was
one kind of recreation which both en-
Joyed greatly. Each was fond OF FISH
ing, but they were utterly unlike in
the methods adopted by them when
engaged in this recreation.
President Arthur was an expert fish
erman. He cared little for saltwater
fishing. He was fond Of a battle with
a salmon or a fighting bass. He was
very skillful in casting a fly. On the
other hand. Cleveland enjoyed any
kind of fishing. He was able to do
what would have been intolerabie to
Arthur. and that was TO sit in boat
all day and watch a bob.
In the early spring of 1883, Presi-
dent Arthur visited Florida, having
been told that he would find some fine
bass fishing in Lake Kissimmee. With
him was the Secretary OF the Navy,
William E Chandler, who cared moth
ing for fishing. The president started
out alone, excepting that a guide was
with him, in a queer little flAt-bot-
toned rowboat from the stern-wheel
steamboat upon which he had made
the trip from Kissimmee City TO the
lake. The guide carefully and with
expert Craftsmanship rowed the boat
until It was lost in the distance. Sec
rotary Chandler remained upon the
steamboat. Hour after hour passed.
until at last, just as dusk was gath
ering. there was heard the ripple Of
oars and out OF the gloom appeared
the rowboat at the stern OF which
sat the President Of the United States
with elaborate fishing tackle beside
him.
He had been alone all day with q
man whom he did not know, who led
him into the remote depths OF that
Florida lake. As he stepped from
the rowboat to the steamboat. he was
asked II he had had any luck. In re-
ply. he said that although he had tried
all the artificial flies and used his
utmost skill in trying TO tempt a
bass to bite, nevertheless he had sal
all day in that boat without avail
But I had some time to think" he
added.
A few years later. Grover CIeve.
land. in company with Daniel S. La
mont went into the wilds Of the Ad.
irondacks. having been tempted e
make that fishing venture because he
heard that he could hnd some excel
lent fishing in one of the streams
or ore or two Of the lakes. He came
out OF the woods considerably used
up. having endured discomforts which
caused him ever after to avoid FISH
ing in mountain streams. being con-
tent with saltwater fishing near Bur
Yards Bay.
1T was the sorriest fishing expert
ence either Cleveland or ever had.
said Col. Lamont to me. There was
a plague OF flies, and notwithstanding
liberal use OF ointments and the COW
ering OF the face with wells, we were
bitten so badly that had a photo
graph been taken OF the President he
would not have been recognized
also suffered tortures We did not
get any fish and as we at last go
out of the range Of the flies Cleve'
land said to me that fond as he wai
OF fishing and greatly as the sport
stimulated his mind BEAUTIFULLY. new
ertheless there would be no more
trout fishing in the woods for him
President Arthur would have en-
joyed this story had he lived Ions
enough to hear Col Lamont narrate
II.
Copyright 1915. by the Mcclure NrvSsPer