Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-08-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
A Visit 20 tho Department. Of tho 1n-
tcrior-How Its Affairs Arc Conducted
The Secretary q Hard-Worked OmciaL

Visit to the Department OF tho 1A-
terior-How Its Affairs Arc Conducted
The Secretary Hard Worked Omcfal.
Especial Correspondence
The most massive, beautiful and perfect
public building in Washington City Is occu-
pied by the Interior Department For many
years it was known as the Patent ONCE
building and retains that name among the
older inhabitants of the National capital
until this day. The Office of the Secretary u
upon the second floor in the southeast corner
of the building. It is q very commodious
room, beautifully frescoed, and has largo
ante-room adjoining it into which the Sec
rotary can go with department. officials and
public men for private consultation upon
matters of importance. Under former adj
ministrations the Secretary was approached
by cards from the general public which
were brought to him by the messenger
who guarded his door. The late Secretary
Villas finding himself too often annoyed by
the presentation of cards, closed the en-
trance from the hall and required the public
to enter through small ante-room which
is occupied by the private secretary.
Colonel Villas selected for that position Mr.
John T. Hume, Of Wisconsin. Mr.. Hume
had formerly been committee clerk to the
Committee on A griculture in the House OF
Representatives and in that position be-
came acquainted with nearly all of the
public men of our day. His selection was
wise one and he has been thus Tar retained
by Secretary Noble.
Mr.. Hume is frequently able to dispose Of
1T least one-third Of the people who call to
see the Secretary Of the Interior. They
throng his room and he goes from one to
another inquiring their business, and send
ing them to the various bureaus of the de-
partment to which they should originally
have gone. Men come to see the Secretary
% the Interior about pensions when they
should 20 to Assistant Secretary Bussey.
They come about land matters when they
should go to First Assistant Secretary
Chandler. They seek to file papers looking
TO their appointment to office when they
should 20 to the appointment clerk; thus
one by one Mr.. Hume, having ascertained
the business of the callers, disposes of them
and relieves the Secretary of q great deal
Of time and wear and tear Of nerve force.
OF course you understand that the Sena-
tors and Representatives of the people are
admitted to the room Of the Secretary of tho
Interior; in fact, to the room of any Cabi-
net officer without sending in their cards
and without any delay. Mr.. Hume knows
all Of these gentlemen and politely opens
the door for them when they call.
The Secretary of the Interior has an i'm
mense amount of work to do, for the depart
ment committed to his care is great and
growing one. The Land Office, the Pension
Office, the Patent Office, the Indian Office
nd other minor bureaus are under his con-
rol, and the heads of those bureaus with
heir chiefs of divisions are obliged to see
he Secretary and present matters to him
for his approval or disapproval, and for his
signature or the withholding thereof, every
day and almost every hou1. Patents, pen.
sions and public lands constantly produce
law and equity questions which can be de-
cided only by :he Secretary, who is the
board of tipa; appeal in all cases. The in
sumbept Of that Office must therefore be q
learned and ready lawyer. To receive the