The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-17
THE PRES DENTS TACT.
His knowledge of Human Nature, and His
Skill in Dealing with Men.

Skhl III A(odlinS WIFI hous
Louisville Commercial
A gentleman who has had opportunities to
see several Presidents closely, and who is q
keen observer, not only of affairs but of tri-
flies, said yesterday: Arthur understands
the art of dealing with men better than any
President we have had for forty years. He
has had less trouble with office seekers than
any President we have had just for that rea-
son. lie was for long time at the head OF
the collectors office in New York, where
he had the management of as many
men and the giving and denying of
places to as many applicants as the Presi-
dent personally deals with 1t was a fine
training school, and when he became Presi-
dent he knew exactly how to deal with office
seekers He is the first President in my
time that have not heard some disappointed
office-seeker accuse OF deception and lying.
From Lincoln down | have heard many men
say of Presidents: He lies to me about the
place OF course the President did not
really lie, but in his desire to make every APP
plicant feel good, he raised expectations and
said things carelesSly that lett bitter i'm
preston when the inevitable came. Arthur
knows better just what to say, frankly and
promptly, than any of the Presidents. A
short time ago | was at the White House one
day, and saw him receive office-seekers. His
manner was dignitied, but pleasant and en-
couraging. He never sat down but remained
standing. Now a bore has little chance with
a standing man. Arthur would listen pleas
antly. answer promptly, shake the applicant
by the hand, giving it meanwhile an imper-
ceptble twist that sent the caller away at
once. Grants method was different. You
had to sit down in a chair beside him, and
bore had him transfixed Only when sub
ject was mentioned upon which Grant did
not care to talk he would shut his lips firmly
and never say a word, it mattered not
bow long you barked away at it. | heard
Arthur say very neat thing to an Illinois
delegation one day. The delegation was in
troduced by Senator Logan, and one after an
other would step up and make his speech
showing why the postmaster at some place
should be removed and new applicant APP
pointed, Logan throwing in few words oc-
casionally to explain to the President who
the speaker was. The delegation made the
incumbent postmaster out to be worthless,
incompetent man, giving great dissatisfac-
ton and personally untruStworthy, while
the applicant recommended was in every re-
spect an excellent man who would please the
party. The President listened patiently and
then said:
&" Gentlemen, you have been very fayora-
bly, introduced to me, and all you have said
will have full consideration. You may per-
baps be surprised that upon the statements
you have made | cannot at once promise
you the change shall be made. But, in order
to show you how embarrassed | am, | will
say that yesterday a delegation from your
city, quite as favorably introduced. came
here and made statements Numerically OPP
posite to yours in favor of the present in
cumbent. You will perceive, therefore, that
am embarrassed and must have time for
consideration.
"'This was as fair and keen and prompt
an explanation as could be made, and though
it made Logan look hurt, it was evidently
satisfactory to the delegation Mr.. Arthur
had simply told them, as between man and
man, his embarrassment, and asked for a fair
probation. That is his habit. He knows by
experience that no man is satisfied if expec-
tations are encouraged only to be defeated.
That is why he has so little trouble with
office-seekers."