The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1872-09-27
gFNiatellaneuns.
S22
MR.. STANTON AS SECRETARY.

MR.. STANTON AS SECRETARY.
] A visitor at Washington going tc
the War Department viii find on the
second story range OF offices small
room, possibly fifteen by twenty feet
/ IN dimensions, over the entrance oil
, whick be will find the figures "I9,''
and in addition the words, "West
, Point Academy" This small office
was through the war point of the
granGest interest ; it was Mr.. Stanton's
public reception room. The furniture
was of the simplest kind, consisting oi
one or two lounges, some chairs, and
; higi. Office desk, situated in the real
of the room, anI directly opposite its
entrance. The room was punctually
opened at 10 A NJ, and was soon filled
with an audience of excited people,
generally made up of claim agents,
contractors, friends OF rebel prisoners
asking for exchange, "army widows" /"
anxious relatives of wounded and mis-.
sing soldiers, uninfluential United
States Senators and Representatives,
who were not allowed interviews at
AIR. Stanton's private office.
Mr. Stanton, accompanied by an
amanuensis, made his appearance
pmctually at eleven O'Clock. His APP
proach was always heralded by the
noise of the rapidly disappearing feet
of messengers and idlers, who were by
some fascination always hanging about
the vicinity.
Mir. Stanton passed on to and be-
hind the high desk without recognizing
any one, and having poised himself, he
cast a glance aronnd the room which,
while it sent a cold chill through the
very bones of the spectators in the
sufferings OF the war, gave assurance
of succor and redress to the widows
and wounded soldiers.
Instantly small gentleman, sup
ported by a bundle OF papers, iawning
and gushing, but with very weak
knees and a stereotyped smile, would
approach, and, with a vulgar salute of
presumed familiarity, would hurriedly
utter, Good morning, Mr.. Secretary;
fine morning, Sir"
! Mr. Stanton would give q nervous
twitch as the familiar voice met his
ear, and, turning abruptly TO the
speaker, would gTowl between his
teeth:
"Sit down, Sir. I'll attend to you
by and-by." And Mr.. Senator Mealy-
mouth, with his papers about some
Job" would disappear
Next in presumed Importance, a
gentleman with brand new suit OF
military clothing, glIstening like an
ignited pin wheel with stars and
stripes
"My card, Mr., Secretary-Major-
General Brassbuttons
Dir. Stanton would turn on the new
speaker like 4 tiger at bay, would ex.
anime the caricature OF Mars from
head TO foot, and thunder out:
"Come, sir what are you doing in
Washington 1t yeu are not needed
! at the nont, I'll see about mastering
YOU OUT General Brassbuttons would
gasp for breath, and his capacious
boots, less sensitive than the man,
would retain self possession enough to
cirry the discounted soldier from the
field.
Consideration would now reign su-
preme in the room I; even the widows
and soldiers would grow pale. When
they beheld such great men as Sena-
tors and Generals in good health so
suddenly squelchod out, they naturally
asked themselves, "What is to become
Of us %
BY this time Mr.. Stanton literally
had his audience in hand no one was
now venturesome enough to obtrude
especially his person CT wants upon
his notice so, at his leisure, he would
glance around the room, then stop
ping suddenly TO examine attentiveIy
,, sick or wounded soldier, the poor
fellow would attempt to rise from bis
seat in acknowledgment OF the honor,
! when Mr., Stanton would mildly, mus
icalIy say, keep your seat, my good
man And the iron Secretary would
his place, walk over to the silent but
eloquent applicant for relief, and tax
ing him kindly by the hand, would
ask, "What brings you here?"
The story was the same SO often
told. Soldier in one of the Washing
ton hospitals, suffering from a severe
wound can not identity himself, as
his regiment is on the move, and des-
criptiGe list cannot be obtained. Can
consequently get no pay, draw no
, clothing; wants furlough and leave
. to go home. The hospital regulations
keep him with the strictest severity
! in the narrow whitewashed walls,
which have now become more often
sive than prison.
OrGer from Mr. Stanton. Advance
of two months lay, transportation
home, and thirty days iurlough.
Soldier re:lres, his face beaming
with satisfaction, and realizing keenly
for the first time that he has a coun
+ try worth fighting for, and men in the
!, government who have paternal care
: for its defenders.
"What do you desire ?' would be
Mr.. Stanton's next question, address
r ed to one who was a soldiers widow
: or soldiers mother seeking informa'
] tion of relatives lost in the great ma
J tional struggle.
!, at is impossible. madam, to serve
J, you as we could wish. Take down
I the name of the soldier asked for, and
e see what can be done.''
+ And thus, IN relieving the suffering,
I was this precious publichour consumed
which Mr.. Stanton remorselessly ap
! propriated of the short-lived day.
1 every moment OF which, however In
: !, dustriously- occupied, failed to meet
i the pressing responsibilities whlcf
: each instant accumulated TO challenge
s his personal notice. At the instant oi
l. twelve o'clock the audience ended
+ Contracts and rebel sympathizers ha'
e been overlooked.-Col. Il. b. THoRPl