The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-18
PRESIDENT HARR1soN's MANNER.
How he Receives the Throngs of Office
Seekers that Call on Hin.
Washington Letter Philadelphia Tele-
graph

graph.
The man who wants to get special
interview with President Harrison in
his private office must have staying
qualities. It is not difficult to get an
audience, but you must wait your turn,
and there is no telling with certainty
when that turn is to come. AS far as
Harrison himself is concerned, there is
no red tape about getting at him with
in the proper hours, but he can see only
so many in given time, and each in
the order of his coming. Senators and
Representatives and Cabinet Ministers
may walk into his private office unan-
nounced, but when they get there they
must each take his proper turn to have
his say.
All other callers must send in their
cards. They are received after the hour
for Congress has expired. Harrison's
manner of receiving visitors in his pri-
vate office is quite his own. His room
is just off the large room where the
Cabinet sittings are held, communicat-
ing with it by a small door in one cor
ner, and through it with the office Of
Private Secretary Halford. Through
the Cabinet-room all callers must pass
to get to the President, unless they are
so highly distinguished as to be ad-
mitted through the library. 1t is sell
dom that President Harrison receives
one man alone in his Office. Generally
as many as twenty or thirty are stand
ing around him waiting a chance at his
ear while he is talking to one. There is
not much chance for general converse
tion and discussion ofhealth or weather.
They must get right down to business
and be quick about it. Yet Harrison
has way of making man feel as if he
has been especially we'll treated and
has not been hurried at all. This dis
/ play Of tact is appreciated the more be-
cause it was unexpected.
Like some others who don't deserve
it, Harrison has got the reputation of
being cold and unapproachable. His
conduct bellies this reputation. He has
a way of quickly getting out of man
what the man has to say, and is very
quick to show his appreciation. He
stands usually in front of his desk,
which is between the two windows. He
shakes hands with the caller, and if it
is a man he knows we'll of, either per-
sonally or by reputation, he is apt to
hold the hand for moment, giving the
impression of one in a mood to be re-
ceptive of condolences, such as Office
seekers have to make. He is always
ready, if the caller makes a move that
way, to retire to the recess Of a window
or elsewhere out Of the earshot of the
Others in the room. Otherwise be
SldIlOS SIlll d1lO llSlSllS cautiously. Lie
has way Of taking hold of mans
coat sleeve while listening to him, and
sometimes he will rest the other hand
on the speakers shoulder in a way to
give az impression of earnestness and
sympathy in what is being said. Gar
field had a way, when arguing the
matter of office, of throwing one arm
around the shoulders Of the man
Senator or member, as it might be,
with whom he was talking. Harrison
doesn't 60 quite this far, but when he
is trying to impress statesman with
the fact that he is anxious to do the
very best he can, but must not be ex'
pected to do more, he takes him by the
hand and places one hand on his shoul
der. There is nothing undignifed OF
effusive about this action. tits expires
sive merely of sympathy and courte-
Gus earnestness.