Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-25
Tne Presidents Annoyances.


7, cannnt have escaped the observation OF
ceutlemen accustomed to visit Washington
n,d ar all familiar with official life 10 tha'
CITY. that very large proportion OF tue ''h'e
of the officers of the Government Is occupiei
nv persons having no business to transact
or any excuse beyond mere Idle curlO'iy,
fr ;ntrudinp upOn them, during the hours
d.marded for official business. Our lnstitu-
t;ons are republican, or, if the reader chooses,
d.nocrati. in their character, and we wouli
On a. far AS any reasonable person could de-
Sire, in justifying and sustaining the sim
Most and most democratic customs, III the re-
LAT ons Of our Federal officers t. tie people at
large. Such is now the extent oil tue country,
such the varied interest; OF the people, ani
such the facilities for travel, that the capltaI
is constantly filled with visitors from every
mart of the Land, not excepting the red men
Of the wilderness. Americans are blessed
with a large share Of curiosity, and VI the
th.usands vino visit Washington every week,
f.v ladies or gentlemen would return salts
fol had thew not visited the President of the
limited States. Tue leyees, which are pubic
to every body, 10 all classes aud CONDITIONS
pf men and women too, afford 4 very GoOu
opp1rtunity for the qualification OF tAi1 gu
rio,itv. or love fur distinction, and the altcU-
dance On these OCCASIONS is becoming so
large as TO positively be a burden and
bari.hip upon the President aud bis family.
These levees are crowded by every class OF
reople. from Senators TO coachmen, from la
dies of title to servant girls, and are bec'm-
ing almost beyond the capacity OF the Nhite
II pu-e.
But apart from these public receptions,
the Presidents business hours are lntrndeu
upon constantly by persons having no uu''-
ness with hiu, aid who merely call 70 pay
their respects. Aud beyond this, tnoua-
ands who have business Vt some sJit with
the Gnverument imagine 1t can only be cone
with the President himself, whereas u most
likely belongs appropriately To some OF III"
Cabinet Officers, or perhaps 10 some suUOful-
nate Bureau through which II must pass.
The nature of our Institutions has had a
tendency % encourage this practice, ana 10
carry il almost 10 the extreme point at whlch
p different one must inevitably be adoptel.
At the present tune 1t is next TO lmpossioie
for the President u discharge his ohclal du
ties, on account OF the great inroads made
upun his tlme in matters whlch have no ne
co,s,ry relation 20 the Executive depart
ment. or which ut all events, ought not u be
carried before the President except through
the appropriate channels. We imagine that
the day Is not far distant, when the Pres!-
4cut will be obliged TO adopt Il standing Faie
TO admit 10 one whose business does not IN
mcdiatcly and appropriately COME under MS
direction and control. Such system would
not only relieve him irom very great an
noyance, but would enable him t! give
suitable hearing to those whose aPpllcatIons
or business require hearing by the Chez
Magistrate. This he is often unable to do
and perhaps, Us o matter Of necessity, IN
portant cases are decided where the parties
/ feel that they have not Deen fairly pTeasnte-
/ and understood. " L. JgWr vi Commerce