Washington Letter

Every day of the week, except Sunday, President Arthurdevotes the hour f rom 1 until 2 o'clock p. m. to the reception of uiiofflcinl callers. Tliey are received in the library of tlie White House, a long and oval shaped room where the cabinet meetings aie held. H3 business callers seat themselves i a line around this room. The President first shakes hands with the people who have come to pay híra merely their respects, then he walks about and talks to his business callers, but sits down with no one. He has a business like way of dealing with his callers, and devotes his entire attention íor the minute to the person addressed. He has no time for indirect words, still thereis nodifficultv insecuring an interview with hiin by anyone who has any real business to'transact. On these occasions he always wears a Oark business suit, the only color he allows himself being a red rose in his button hole. Gen. Sherman expects to start on his Bummer trip to the Pacific coast about the 2Oth of June, and return near the lst of October. His party, which will be a small one, will include Chief Justice Waite and Justice Gray of the Supreme Court. They will visit some of the Arniy Posts, and it is lo be Sherman's last trip west as General of the Army. Ex-President Diaz of the Mexican Republic. and party, who are visiting Washington, are quartered at the Arlington Hotel. An elabórate program for their entertainment is being carried out, though some formal attentions that were to have been shown them have been omitted out of respect to the deceased Cabinet Minister. These dtetinguislied visitors show inuch interest in seeing the siglits of the city. General Diaz is a] man of strong characteiistics, with a soldierly appearmce, erect form and manly carriage. He speaks but little English, while his wife, an attractive woinan not more than 18 S'ears old, speaks it fluently. Representative S. S. Cox, of New York, is in Washington, and is workinsearnestly to secure the Speakership of tlie next Ha says active movements are in progress for him, and he expects to enter the race with thé únited vote of the deleiatiou from his own State, exceptiug the support of Mr. Abrani Hewitt. Ubiquitous Governor Butler of Massa:husetts, is in the city looking after his tlnancial interests. His title deed to the ground on Capítol Hill onïwhich stands the large pile of granite erected by him is being disputed by some recently discoyered claimants. On Wednesday the President, returnng from his usual evening drive, stopped it a book-store to look up some reading matter with which to beguile the tediutn of bis long southern journey. Before he eould step from his carriage to the door he was observed, and in a few minutes a crowd gathered and blockaded the sidewalk to the extent of compelling passersby totakethe middle ofthestreet, and the services of a policeman was required to prevent the crowd from invading the stère. Truly, greatness and distinguished position are subjected to ordeals terribly trying to a satiated appettie. I do not wonder that the President pants for a little obscurily, for the depthsof some vast wilderness, and is betaking himself to the dense shade of the Florida orange groves. And yt, if he is still an object of curious inspectioii in Washington where Presidents have always üved, moved and had their bciiifr, what may bc expected to remain of him on his return from his trip to the far south, where the natives have no conception of a real live President? Thhik of the excruciations in store for him during the next few weeks, when even for some time past he has been sickening atid turning livld at the sound of the airs "Hall to the Chief' and "See the conquering Hero comes." He left the city Thursday morning at 11.50 o'clock, on a special train, accompanied by Secretary Chandler, Mr.MlUer of New York, ind Private Secretary Phillips, and many kind wishes that his journey might be pleasant and bis iishing good. Hefore his departure lic named the new Oabinet Officers, Judge Walter Q. Greshsni of Indiana. The appointment is ex;remely well received In Washington. Juujie Gtesbam has the reputation of being a man of decided force of character ind has been mentioned for positions of :he highest proininence for years. His ;ourasre on the fields during the war atracted the notice of General Grant, and :he wannest personal friendship bas jxisted between the two men ever since. He says his appointment was eutirely unaolicited and" aKBXtbOSSl by'lilmself. Ilis politioal enemies accuse hlm of intense partisanship, wliicli means that lie is a strong republican. His home is in Iudianapolis, and he is saiU to be an insatiable reader of books. Senator Jones of Nevada positively denies that there is any foundation for the rumor that he has had a disagreeruent with President Arthur, or that he expresseil himself as having made his last visit to the White House. He further saya his relations with the President were never kindüer or warmer than at the present time. On Tuesday, tlie close of Mr. Merrlck's cross-examination of Ex Senator Dorsey, markcd an epoch in the star route trial. In spite of Mr. Dorsey's evasions, convehient memory, and partía] bliiidiiess, Mr. Merrick succeeded iu extiactiu from hiin some important aümissious for the Government. It is claimed by the prosecution that Dorsey was the instigator and organizer of the conspiracy, and the cross-examination developed a good deal in support of this theory. It has shown that Dorsey furnished the money out of hisown pocket to start and equip the combination. The lieadciuarters were in Uis own reidence on 1 street, and he personally watched and directed the preparation of bids. In carrying out the sclieme lie had devised, he sent to postmasters whose continuance in office largely depended upon him, even if they did not owe their original appointment to hlm, certain bonds, in blank, with the request that tliey procure sureties and certify to them, without even kuowing the character of the bonds. In one case at least a postmaster indignantly refused to compromiso his honor, even at the request of a U. S. Senator who miglit be able to put him out of office.