The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-11-30
How tho President Dispatches Bust.

Were 1t not for the relief from daily an
noyances, afforded by the Cabinet meet
ings on Tuesdays and Fridays, no physi-
cal constitution, However strong, could
endure the exhausting labor performed by
Is no Office ofthe Governments SO burden
I'll with. responsibility ana anxiety, and
no IMAM living required to listen to such
an endless recital Of private griefs, as un-
sophisticated visitors pour into the Presi-
dents ear ut every public interview
President Johnson has few equals irain-
dustry. He rests at six, and until break
fast which is at half-past seven, looks
ov,r the newspapers. Immediately after
Breakfast he goes to the Executive apart
mrntS and commences the labor Of the day
First, there are bundles of letters to he
read and the replies dictated to the secre-
,aries. Applications for appointments,
promotions, discharges from the army and
navy, political advice, petitions for Exec
u'ive clemency and innumerably other
eahie.ts are disposed of, but before half
completed the visitors have commenced to
+. ,.,t%.ilito the ante-rDonIs and hrust their
e..tti:, upon him. Pardon seekers swarm
80 very hand. Former owners of con-
'!S''"ted property pace up and down be-
fort the door of the Presidents room, and
females with indescribable effrontery in
s:~t rpon immediate abundance.
.>'t"r the most important business ofthe
InN.ning has been disposed OF the visitors
rry limited one by one, and the President
@!!b.ai;s himself to the artesian process.
'N:.;> lasts till about half-past ons or two,
-0'.htimcs three o'clock, when the doors
-! iis apartment are opened, and the
Who'll" crowd admitted. At such times,
Cn!onu. johnson, son of the President, or
Colonel Browning, private Secretary
stands hear tie President, and takes mem
"run'!a as dictated by him on the cases OF
the visitors who succeeded one an other
with subjects for Executive action, like
tho t'ems, throng at the postoffice window.
The Presidents manner at such times is
always pleasant, and gives confidence to
IL. MOST timid. His decisions are quick,
nti'i ";ult,individual who lays his case be.
fore tn" President learns in half dozen
ruurtenns words the final decision. When
al hav" been listened to, and the halls are
once mere empty, the President turns
again I" papers on his table until four
o'clock. the hour for dinner. After din
ine, he returns to his Office and there gen.
orally remains until late hour, seldom
retiring before eleven o'clock.
tradition to all these duties it must be
r--'nsmhared that there are distinguished
";s'tfsstesnstantly presenting themselves.
Representatives Of foreign courts, Govern
orr. Seminars. Generals, and hundreds of
lesser magnitude must be received, each
having some important subject requiring
car" anil deliberation, while over all
towers the great and ever present problem
OF reconstruct n. Cabinet days and the
Sabbath nfford three days of rest from the
petty and cxhausting annoyances that be-
Sci the President, but at no time is he free
from ia" oppressive weight Of national
difficulties which now, more than ever be-
fore obscure III" future Hdshiaato y Star.