Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-09
AFTER TWO O'CLOCK.
Amusing Incidents that RGve Occurs
at the Treasury Door.

at the Treasury Door.
The old Treasury Department employe
was in a conversational mood as he
stopped in the corridor the other after
noon for a few minutes chat with a
w ashington Star reporter. The talk
naturally drifted towards the approach
ing election, and the old man was telling
/ how he was beginning to feel somewhat
''scary" as to the result, when he was in
terrupted By loud voices at the west en-
trance of the department. "No, sir; it's
after , O'Clock, and it is impossible for
you to be admitted" SAID tee Waterman
at the door.
"But it is only two minEtes after the
hour, and besides, have a right to enter
| the department until the close Of Office
hours" replied voice outside the door.
The old employe stopped short. as he
C ught sight of the face of the last speak
er through the glass door, and shutting
hurriedlv TO the side Of the wSschman, he
whispered a few words to him They had
an immediate effect; the door was thrown
open and the visitor entered with word
OF apology from the Waterman
"That often happens" said the old en-
| plOye, as he returned to the reporter. for
getting all about his election ears. THAT
man was a messenger from one of the
Cabinet officers, but the man at the door,
who is there only temporarily, did not
know him, and felt in duty bound to obey
sthe rules and refuse him admittaRce."
THE west door is a terror te a new
Eatchman," he continued, ''fOr that is
the entrance used most frequently by men
CT prominence when they visit she de-
Partment. A man stationed at that door
is always in dread OF admitting some one
he ought not to, whose personal appear
anee would seem to indicate high official
position, and he is equally fearful of re-
fusing admittance to some official who
ought TO be allowed entrance without
hesitation. Now at the main entrance
over there on Fifteenth street it is differ
ent. the captain of the watch is nearly
always right there, and he knows every
body. Besides there are always or 5
watchmen there, and among them all
visitors identity is very readily estab-
lished."
PRESIDENT ARTHUR KEEPING A DOOR.
The best of them get tripped up at the
west door, though" he continued. "Why
| saw President Arthur denied admit
lance there, once. 1t was \ pleasant
afternoon, and he strolled over from the
WI ite House 90 speak with Secretary
FoIger, a very unusual thing. The watch
man did not notice particularly who 1t
was as he slowly mounted the steps, and
did not recognize him until he had said,
After , O'Clock, sIr.' 1t was about the
time when Chief Clerk Webster was run
ming the department on the school plan and
the Waterman concluded that it might be
about as disastrous to GisObey rule (fOr
the Presidents name was Gct on his free
list as not to make an exception. The
President understood the situation and
said goOd-natuTedly, II don't care to
come in; just take message to the Sec
retary.'
But 1 can't leave my door sir SAID
the Waterman.
"'WelI, rll keep door for you while you
are gone,' suggested the President, and,
| actually, President Arthur kept watch at
the west door until the watchman RETURN
ed. There have been lots of other instances
somewhat similar. During one of Gen.
| Grants visits to Washington not great
while ago, he was denied admIttance at
the west door, and he didn't get in until
the man at the door was thoroughly sat
isted as to who he was.
THE NEW COMPTROLLER STOPPED.
"Shortly after Mr.. CannOn's appoint
ment as Comptroller of the Currency"
the speaker went on, she was stopped at
the vest door, as he was returning from
a visit to the White House. You see, his
face wasn't known, and he is such
yOung-lOoking man, with no official airs,
that the Waterman didn't believe that he
was the new Comptroller. He wasn't
detained long, though, you can bet. The
Presidents private secretary, Mr.. Phil
lips, was halted the other afternoon. The
Waterman on duty didn't know him, but
allowed him to enter at once when told
who he was. How long have you been
in government service? said Mr.. Phil
lips, turning TO the Waterman.
- Sixteen years. vas the reply.
- Il should think you ought to know
me then,'' he said, as he passed along the
corridor.
REFUSED ADMITTANCE TO HIS OWN DE-
PARTMENT.
'The best joke of all though" continued
the old employee, lis that the Secretary of
the Treasury was actually refused admit
lance to his own department. 1t was only
a day or two after his appointment as
Secretary of the Treasury that Gen.
Gresham came sauntering up the steps to
the west door. He was greeted with
After , O'Clock, SIR Explanations and
apologies followed. 1t is but just to say,
however, that these mistakes are not the
fault of the Waterman. The rules govern
ing the Treasury watch are necessarily
strict, and a watehman's best recon-
mendatiOn is that he obeys the rules. The
men on the force are assigned posts of
duty, and there they stay. They can't go
about and become familiar with the APP
pearance of outsiders. They know a man
after he has once passed through the
door, but it is not surprising if a stranger,
although prominent, is not recognized at
once"