The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-05-28
Duties of Cabinet Minister.

Washington Sentinel.
Few people have any idea of the
duties which OUR Democratic Cabinet
Ministers have to perform. If they
had, many unjust complaints would
never have been made.
Immediately after rising in the
morning, and even before taking his
breakfast, a Cabinet Minister Is COM
private or political friends by appoint
ment. They had the day before
expressed the wish to see him at his
house, for what they had to communi-
cate to him was of such nature that
they could not confde it to him with
in the official walls. The position of
the visitors, their status in the party,
ETC., had made it impossible Tor the
Secretary to decline the urgent re-
quest-hence their visit even before
breakfast.
The bell rings. Breakfast is ready.
Hungry and nervous, the cabinet min
lister, in order not to break Off the
conversation abruptly, politely insists
that the visitors take breakfast with
him. That relieves him for time,
but in not few cases the invitation
is actually accepted in good faith, and
the minister is forced to swallow his
breakfast without even knowing what
he eats, his mind being fully occupied
by the attentive visitor and his i'm
portant claims to office.
Breakfast finished, the Secretary
hurries to his department. There a
large crowd awaits his arrival, Sena-
tors, members and other privileged
characters throng the ante-room, or
even the minister's room itself. The
| Secretary is Immediately surrounded.
| He is not allowed to remain in his
seat-for the conversation would
then be overheard by others-but he
| is led from one corner of the room to
the other, quietly listening to what
each of the high dignitaries and
statesmen has to say about the merits
of his particular friend. That contin-
ues till about half past twelve in the
morning. Then the less favored are
admitted in bulk. Each one presents
his claim. The Secretary quietly hears
what they have to say. This
continues until about 2 o'clock p. M.
except on tuesdays and Thursdays
when the Secretary leaves the depart
menJ about IL o'clock to attend cabinet
meeting at the White House. Towards
o'clock the Secretary has advanced sc
far as to listen to reports from his
subordinates in regard to Legitimate
business, or to attend other urgen
official duties. But even now he Ii
not free from visitors. The short hou
, from 3 to o'clock passes. At .
o'clock the department. closes. Blu
the Secretary, If he has important at
, fairs to examine, if he desires to fit
out whether there are rascals in hi
, department or not, is not at libert,
, like the rest of the officials in his de
partment to go home and enjoy it'll
rest. Nobody expecting him after fon
; o'clock to be at the department, he ha
! for the first time during the day 81
!: opportunity of being his own ma
. and transactiDg necessary business. o
acuuaiting himself with the details o
:, his office. After o'clock, worn on
and hungry, he goes back to his home
/: to be met there by some gentleman
! "Who could not help calling on tn
!, new Minister" and who coolly assuT
!. the latter "that he (the Minister woul
; never have forgiven them if they ha
h bee impolite enough to leave Wash
!: ington without paying their respect
]. to him." OF course, some of thel
!. remain at dinner. After dinner
, over, the Secretary has som
= friends and distinguished strangers
It welcome in his parlors, who fill To
I: latter until bed time, 1: e., after
D. o'clock p. ID.
= That is the daily life of demo
,r cratic Cabinet minister at this tim
3. From it our readers will perceive tn
e. for the present the Administrative
2 will not be able to penetrate We
{, deeply through the official crust
q corruption. They also lack as yet 6
o. instruments to do it with, even if tn
Is | were ever so anxious for it.