The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-01-25
.-RIvATE SEC2ETAhfes. q.
Cosby Chat About the Predecessors
Popular Dan Lamont.

Popular Dan Lamont.
There was no secretary % the Presi-
dent prior 10 1873, but 1875 Congress
authorized a clerk % the President 'to
sign land patents, and President Jack
son appointed Andrew jackson Doncl-
son. his nephew, a. "signer Of land
patents" Later. Major Donelson
changed his name, and he appears in
the Congressional Directory FOR the
second session. Twenty-fourth Con-
gres5. as Andrew jackson, Jr."
Martin Van Buren had for his signer
Of patents Major 4. Van Bur.n dur
ing his whole term. Whether or
not General Harrison appointed any
one 20 the place l. not certain, but the
next succeeding directory gives tho
name Of John Tyler Jr., and that gen.
tleman took % himself the style and
title OF "sccrctary," 20 sign, etc, al
though there was no warrant OF law
for II.
President Polk appointed his nephew,
James Knox Walker, and that gentle
man in 1915 became the first private
secretary 10 the President" under a
law passed at the second session OF tho
Twenty Congress.
Sidney Webster who aftcrward be-
came the son-in-law Of Hon. Hamilton
Fish. was the private secretary Of
Franklin Pierce, and following him
James Buchanan had his nephew.
James Buchanan Henry, for secretary,
who like Major Donclson, changed his
name, and in the latter part Of his term
OF Office was known as James Buchanan,
Jr
Colonel John Hay is another private
secretary who was never a private
secretary. Mr.. Lincolns secretary
was ohm G.. Nicolay, and Colonel Hay
was given an army commission in the
volunteers and detailed for special
duty at the White House.
Prior 20 President Jackson's time
the clerical labor al the Executive
Mansion was performed by clerks de-
tailed from the various Executive de-
partments, but as the country grew in
population the executive labors in
creased and legislative aid was given
TO provide an authorized force, and in
1865 Congress not only added an "as-
sistant private secretary butpromotcd
the "signer Of patents 10 be secretary
for that purpose.
Colonel Robert johnson was sccrc-
tary during all Of his fathers incum-
bency Of the Presidency, and Colonel
Robert Morrow, who aftcrward COM
mitted suicide while on duty at San
Francisco, was the first assistant. Nor
row was succeeded, i'm 1867, when he
was appointed paymastcr in the army,
by William Wallace Warden, who now
resides here, practicing law. During
Mr.. JOhnson's time "a detail OF army
officers was placed on regular duty at
the White House, and the detail in
cludcd General Reuben ID. Mussey,
Colonel Browning, W g. Moore
(now chief Of police hcrc) and
Wright Riycs and Captain Andrew
X. Long. In the Congressional
Directory OF those days they are
styled "secrctaries,n and it was that
precedent that brought about the de-
tail OF Generals Dent, Porter and Bab-
cock for General Grant.
President Arthur's private secretary
was Fred Phillips. President Hayes
private secretary was Colonel Rodgers,
good-naturcd gentleman, who filled
the Office satisfactorily. He was not a
pronounced character and was chiefly
noticeable for his thrift and Ready rec
ognition of the main chance. Wash.
HgtOH Letter.