Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-06-01
PRESIDENT AT A CLAMBAKE
Rutherford 3. Hayes Said to Have
Greatly Enjoyed Himself With
the "Common People,"

It is q curious fact that often the
most silent Of men receive the greatest
publicity. For instance, Vice President
Coolidge is perhaps better known for
his silence than for any other quality.
The Rhode Island clambake leaped
into national Importance nearly fifty
years ago when, after spending many
years Of an easy-going life, lolling
about the beaches on both sides Of
,Narragansett bay, no less parsonage
than the President Of the United States
sought the satisfaction Of the gusta.
tory senses found only among the
.habltues Of the Rhode Island clam
bake.
The CLAIMS ascent to the presidential
menu came In 1877, when President
Rutherford b. Hayes made his memo
rable trip through New England and
visited the annual national encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Re
public, which was held that year In
Providence. The President was the re-
cipient OF all sorts Of welcomes, Of
course, and this hospitable city made
good her reputation. His first talk
over telephone was In this city with
Prof. Alexander Bell on the same day
that he attended his first cfambake.
1t is stated, without referring to his
tory. that June %, 1877, was the great
est day in the life of President Hayes.
The trip to Rocky point, where the
clambake was to be served, was kept
secret, for 1t was said that the Presi-
dent would go to Newport. He sailed
down the river amid sporadic cannon
aiding and a hotilla of boats that fol-
lowed him. His secret" entry to
Rocky point was viewed by not more
than 10000 people, who gathered
around the bake to note his mingled
expression Of surprise and delight,
tlnctured with chagrin that he had not
had that experience in his early youth.
The scene Of the suspicious event
was pictured at the time In an Illus
trated paper, one OF the chief Illus
trated weeklies Of the period, n copy
OF which was recently brought to at
tention by Mrs. John Lasell Of Friend
ship street.
Local experts will note with surprise
that the chief executive is represented
as eating his clans with q fork. II Is
evident that this was q fancied recog-
milton of the dignity of the frock coat
and the office. Not within the memory
Of oldest inhabitants Is II recalled here
aLn 80 kaf oil al kaI
ever attempted to absorb the succu-
lence OF the familiar bfyalve while clad
in a frock coat, or that It was ever
"de rigeur" to use fork In the proc
ess. Attacking bowl Of yawning
clans aTpetizingly enveloped in cloud
of pungent steam Is as irregular as
cutting the kernels off a juicy cob Of
corn instead Of advancing upon II with
barred teeth like an honest epicure.
President Hayes, OF course. cannot
be criticized for his breach Of Rhode
Island table manners, but IL he could
only have experienced the delightful
sensation Of grasplng the delicate body
Of dainty clam and casting It into the
pool Of melted butter, and th6n, with |
an imperceptlble twist Of the wrist,
"glve 'er flip, and down she goesi"
The Rhode Island clambake, how
eyer, is still thing Of national impor-
lance and, without doubt, another
presidential eplcure will some day sail
Town Narragansett bay. He shall have
MS cannonading and his fotiliq and he
shall have his clambake, but no fork
lust spacious napkin.--Pf6Vidence
Journal.