Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-08-29

SECRETARY NOBLE.
general public and never apparently grow
weary of their troub les and trials the Secre-
tary must be a polished gentleman.
The present incumbento of the Office, Gener-
al John W. Noble, comes up to every require
ment of the position and is equal to every
occasion. He IS very handsome man and
his smile is one of those contagious evil
dences not only of good humor but of COM
radeship that puts his visitor at ease i'm
mediately. The heads of bureaus of the
great department all speak Of him in the
highest terms as man eminently well
qualified for his position, who grasps the
ideas presented to him upon every case of
every kind and reaches a speedy conclu-
sion concerning both the law and facts be-
fore him. With the general public, especial
ly with the represent ative men of the day,
General Noble has became very popular.
have seen his room so thronged with
people that it was almost impossible for
him to turn around from one to another to
grasp their hands and hear their story; yet
he was enabled to send them all from the
room one by one with the belief that each
one had gained his especial favor; and prob
ably all of them were correct Secretary
Noble is always careful to make note of
promises made by him SO that he is remind
ed of such promises and he never fails to
keep them. A very peculiar case was pre-
illustrates the character and innate good
ness of the man it may as well be related
here without violating any confidence.
A young man in the Interior Department
was recommended for discharge by the
head Of the bureau in which he was en-
ployed. Under ordinary circumstances the
recommendation of a head of a bureau re-
ceives the approval of the Secretary. But
when this case came before General Noble
the name seemed familiar to him. and before
taking action upon it he made INQUIRY
After obtaining full information upon the
subject concerning the young man, he wrote
a letter to the head of the bureau in which
he said:
"While recognize the fact that YOU have
right to urge favorable action upon your
recommendation for the discharge of this
young man. you will understand my hest
fancy when say to you that many years
| ago when went to Keokuk, Ia, as a young
lawyer, one Of the prominent men of that
thriving Western city was especially nv
friend and did me many acts of kindness.
| which enabled me to make q successful
| start In Life as young lawyer. can never
forget his kindness, and could not
enumerate the many good things that he
dld Tor me- The young man whom YOU
have recommended for dismissal is grand.
son of that good friend of my young man.
| hood With these vivid recollections of the
| kOO0neSS Oh Gnat man toward me YOU can
| readily understand that the discharge of
his grandson fiom this department would
come with an i'll grace from me- Therefore
recognizing the fact that you have a right
to demand the dismissal of the young man.
| according to your recommendation, I have
to request as q personal favor to myself
that you will withdraw that recommended
ton and give the young man another
| chance
Inc only trouble with the young man In
| question was that he had been drinking too
much liquor. He has been fully informed
Of the reason for his retention in Office, and
as he is a young gentleman Of naturally
high character his reform is complete and
it Is believed permanent This true story
illustrates the kindly disposition Of the
present Secretary, and it is safe to presume
that even those who are altogether strangers
to him will be kindly and charitably dealt
with In all sucn cases. Secretary Noble Is
very hay0-worlking man indeed, and in
this respect he is not unlike his predecessor
Colonel Villas. The department hours are
from nine o'clock in the morning until -four
o'clock in the afternoon. Secretary Noble
arrives at eight o'clock and sometimes q