The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-28
COMMISSIONERS EDGERroN.

Some OF the Personal characteristics OF
Popular Old-School Gentleman.
| Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
| WASHINGTON, Nov 27-In all the army OF
| federal oficeholders there are none about Wash
| tion who excite so much favorable comment as
Civil-service Commissioner Edgerton. Everys
body, except the spoilsmen in his own State, Ins
diana, seems to like him. and hold him up as the
ideal man. partiSanship considered, for the posi-
tion he occupies It is said that the President
always sends for Mr.. Edgerton when comph-
Gated question in civil-service reform arises. He
has, with that neat appearance and affable mani
ner which characterize him, diplomatic bears
ing which imposes confidence. Always dignifsd,
he is never naughty, and the uniformity Of his
cordial greetings make his private apartments at
one of the popular hosteeries intensely popular
Mr.. Edgerton is one Of the most fashionably
and neatly-dressed men in all Washington. But
he is never fashy He shines out in black
! broadcloth, so clean that not spec of dandruff
can be seen upon it, while at his throat is q
standing collar and plain black silk tie His
head wears glossy beaver with fiat brim, while
his shoes are ever polished TO the Queens taste
A broad. snow white bosom, with open 'front.'
plated, buttoned, shows from his shirt with
cuffs faultlsss. Mr. Edgerton's hair is pure
white and neatly cropped. and his beard, cuy
close, is full excepting at the lip.
The senior Civil-service Commissioner is az
inveterate smoker, ard he frequently uses
pipe-a neat little merschaum, halfcolored.
But he always keeps good cigars about his
rooms, and while his guest enjoys those he fndc
delight in sitting low in an old-fashioned rock
ing-chair, whiting at the pipe and talking OF
pioneer days, education, politics and religion,
for he is well versed in all current events AZ
intervals, when he becomes interested in the
conversation, he leaps from his chair, and,
placing his hands behind him, he walks the
floor or stands with his back to the crate fire,
while chunks of anecdote or wisdom flows at
will.
Mr. Edgerton has almost taken the breath Of
the spoilsmen of his party since the recent elecs
tions by his plain and blunt criticisms of theft
course He is the only federal ofice-holder who
has had the courage to combat the principles
and acts ct influential men in his own party. He
is civil-service reformer from the ground up,
and being wel-to-do he doesn't seem to care
whether he pleases his antagonists or not hs
says he is working for principle, not mem.
Speaking of prohibition newspapers the other
day, Mr.. Edgerton declared he never read them,
and gave the public a cue to his character by OBJ
serving II take in everything except prohibis
tion. None OF that for me, please. fix my
measure of abstinence by never eating betweea
meals, and never drinking between drinks"
OF all things he despises extremes. He even
observes this in politics, having advised his
friends in the late campaign to vote against the
regular Democratic nominee in his congressional
d6triEt He has liberal idea on religion edu.
cation and personal liberty, and his only dissipa.
tion lies IN the weed. which will never hurt him,
as he is as nimbe and full of nerve at three.
score and ten as most men at forty.