The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-07
PRESIDENT AND THE PEOPLE.
The Plain Talk Between President Arthur
and Those Who Call on Him.

dealing with his callers. Anyone who has
any real business to transact will never have
any difficulty in securing an interview.
From l until 2 P. NJ he gives up to unofficial
callers. These visitors are received in the
library, a long, oval-shaped room west of the
room where the cabinet meetings are held.
One day last week l sat in the library and
watched the President as he passed his call
ers in review He receives them ali with
great simplicity and directness His man
ner is more that OF man of the world
than of a politician. He tells the
plain truth to his callers. Where
he can help he does. Where no hope can be
given he tells the disagreeable but whole
some truth with a politeness and kindness
that soften the harshness of refusal. The
President first shakes hands with the people
who come to pay him merely their respects.
Then he walks about and talks with mis- bust
ness callers, who are seated upon a line
around the room. He sits down with no one,
He walks up to each with a polite question
of inquiry, and for the moment he devotes
his entire attention to the person addressed.
He has good humor and a vein of satire in
his talks with his visitors that give great va
riety to the interviews. He is always fault
lessly dressed The only color in his dark
morning attire is red rose in his button
hole. His manner is always polite to every
one. He only becomes brusque when re-
quest made is SO manfestly improper as to
be classed as impertinent.
Here are few interview sketches taken
during my mornings observations:
lady in a bottle green arises with black
mantle over her arm. small black hat
comes down over low forehead, while
black speckled veil half covers an ordinary
small featured face She whispers a request
to the President who has to bow to catch
her meaning.
Yes" said he, 81 understand. You want
me to recommend you for promotion"
Yes, you have letters from General Grant
and others. | have no doubt of it. You
have enough without any word from me-"
Yes, know you have recommendations.
My dear madam, l have seen cases where
recommendations were piled up as high as
this White House, and l could do
nothing. Do you think THIS is matter for
me to consider? How can l know your
merits?'
She still persists.
Madam when first came into this office
out of good nature l did recommend A, b,
C and d for promotion. Nothing came of it.
What would be the amazement of my secre-
tares if should now all at once insist upon
the promotion OF E?"
She continues to insist and the President is
forced to walk on to get rid OF her.
Here is the way a fresh otfice-seeker meets
his fate. He was small man, who belonged
to the type of men who cannot carry on a
conversation with one without standing be-
tween the feet and leaning up against the
man addressed. Inc 1reSluenC packed away
from the man until he consented to talk at a
reasonable distance After he had related
his wishes, the President said:
What you ask of me is very simple. 1t is
only to turn out good, honest, tried man,
who performs his duty, and put in you,
about whom know nothing. of course, 1
have no time for anything else but TO con-
slider Just such cases as this"
The little man looks very uncomfortable,
and begins wiggling apology.
The President stops him. II dare say" he
says you do not like this way of putting it.
1t is disagreeable for you. Well, it is also
unpleasant to me to be compelled to say
these things But | will not turn out good
men without any reason This may seem
strange to you"
The little man turns to go, and the Presi-
dent mods pleasantly to him to keep him
from swooning from disappointment. as he
says "Your turn may come some time"
This caller had found out something posi-
tive in one day. Early decisions make great
savings in hotel bills at Washington.
To one group OF callers the President says:
you gentlemen come here every day to
make the same argument. Perhaps if you
would remain away one day might find
time to make decision in your case. As it
is you take up all the time that can be given
to it with your talk"
One pale-faced young woman, with slight
black mustache shading thicklipped, vul-
mouth, SlOOu up WIFI ldngulSHlHg I'M
pertnence, and said certain distinguished
gentleman had told her to come to the Presi-
dent for letter recommending her for ali
appointment in the departments.
The President did not even look at this
caller He stood like stone as he talked.
When she had concluded he said: Il never
write letters recommending people for APP
pointments in the departments | am not in
the habit of indorsing people whom | do
not know. Tor no reason at all. This was
said in voice distinct enough to be heard
by every one in the room.
To a hook-nosed, sharp-eyed, gray
moustached, rotund German he said: you
were here yesterday, the day before, every
day for week. Are you coming tomorrow?
What are your plans? Your case has reached
"a certain point No talk can advance it be-
You'd that point until the Secretary OF the
Treasury acts.
But he is sick. l appeal to you"
81 do not know one word about it. Do
you want me TO go to Mr.. Folger's bedside
and sit down with him and tell all abou!
your case"
The German demonstrated.
What is to be done? said the President
The secretary is sick. | am sorry for that
But neither you nor | can help that. You
must wait until he is we'll. You are In the
face of a misfortune, and you must grin and
bear it,"
But" said the German, with a despera
ton that was almost pathetic, II have
grinned for seventeen months and can beal
it no longer"
have given the cases where refusals made
cover sc eral principles of the methods OF
the President He will not interfere with
the leg innate workings of the departments
He will not turn out good men from Office
He cuts short all impairment questions, and
puts every caller at once upon u plain, com,
mon sense business footing.