Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-06-11

How He Impressed a Visitor 90 the
state Department.

Washington letter In Christian at Work.
The department of state is generally
considered to be one hedged about with
formality and dignity. II was therefore
with some reluctance that your corre-
spondent lately found himself compelled
to wait upon the Secretary of State in his
official quarters. The form has been for
the visitor to send in his card and wait in
the corridor until he is informed that an
audience will be granted. II was therefore
u matter of surprise when the messenger
at the door simply said, with wave of
the hand, walk right in" On entering
it was found that several others had
walked in before your correspondent, SO
while waiting his turn, he slipped into q
seat in the corner and improved the
opportunity to make notes for your
readers.
Secretary Bayard is man of fine per-
sonal appearance. In figure he is tall,
erect. broad-shouldered, and looks like
man whose vigorous health would enable
him to grapple with state dinners, yet
attend to mass of business. He is in
his fifty-eighth year but appears much
younger. He impresses you as a perfect
gentleman, perhaps a little brusque in
manner, but thoroughly good-natured, is
wholly American, no nping of English
airs or manners.
The usual custom has been for the sec
retaries to remain seated at their desks,
the visitor approaches and states his bust
ness, unless he be a person of distinction,
he is rarely invited to be seated. But,
on this occasion, the secretary was on his
feet, as the visitor approached he also ad-
yanced to meet him, indeed he made the
first advancement, which enabled him to
take each caller in turn, and he seemed to
have q faculty for remembering whose
turn it was. The conversations were
carried on in loud tone, so that there
were no estate secrets" of which your
readers should not be informed.
The first conner was evidently an
adopted citizen and spoke with decided
accent. He wanted to represent this
country in some foreign port. One of
the recommendations suggested by him
self was that he could speak the language
of the foreign country. Secretary Bayard
consulted his "Blue Book, and remarked
to the applicant, the salary was very
small and he bad better consider whether
he could live on it. While he was con-
sidering this point the secretary promised
to examine the applicants testimonials.
The next conner was evidently some
person of influence, for he urged with an
air of confidence the claims of friend for
particular consulship. The secretary
listened patiently and then quietly asked
whether the applicant understood COM
mercial matters. His advocate answered
that he did not know however, he knew
that his friend had prlctised law in some
country town. We'll" answered the
secretary, ''you can yourself see that this
plnge requires man thoroughly convers.
ant with business matters, for he goes to
post where there is q large commerce"
The advocate seemed to feel the force of
this logic, and left to further hunt up the
qualifications of his applicant.
The third WINS young man who was
waiting, Micawber like, for something to
turn up in the shape of an Office. Il
evidently concerned him but little as to
the exact position SO that he could only
get in. The secretary inquired whether
he had gone through the examination of
the Civil Service commission. This
seemed to be n new idea to the you'll, and
Mr.. Bayard improved the opportunity to
hint that the best recommendation he
could bring would be high grade in such
an examination. Now here were three
applicants for positions, none of them
received assurance of appointment, yet
all appeared to depart with the feeling
that the secretary had consulted their
opinions as we'll as his own, and that they
had been courteously treated.
When your correspondents turn came,
thinking it wise to cast an anchor ahead,
he remarked: "Mr. Secretary l did not
come here as an applicant for Office" A
smile frightened the Secretary's face; as
if approaching the point, he answered,
pleasantly, "What then can do for you,
sir ?" The answer was made that it was
simply desired to ascertain whether
certain document was in the archives of
the department, "Why, certainly" was
the response. In a moment bell was
touched, messenger appeared who was
ordered to show the inquirer to the place
where the documents were kept, and to
allow him full liberty to examine them.
Our experience has been that the easiest
men in the government to approach are
those highest in office; it is the tenth
rate official who puts in the dignity. We
left the department with the impression
that if Mr.. Bayard succeeds in managing
the affairs of state as we'll as he does the
applicants for office, he will make very
able Secretary of State.