New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-14
GENERAL HARRIs0NS CALLERS.
NUMBER AND VARIETY OF TYPE OF THE
PILGRIMS TO INDIANAPOLIS.
THE PRECEDENT ELECTS UNFAMING GOOD
NATURE AND HIS SKILL IN HANDSPRING

Two SPECIMEN VISITORS
FROM STAFF CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE.
indianapolis. Jan. 13-Few people away nom here
who do not follow the newspapers closely, have
any Idea OF the enormous strain 10 which I'M
tagging good nature to callers has been subjecting
General Harrison since tho election There
have been varying estimates ahoat OF the number Of
visitors whom interest Of sort draws daily TO
the Generals hospitable house in the north end Of
town Tho most conservative reckoning puts the
average at twen'yhve sympathetic Indiana poll
teian, who has himself long suffered the attacks Of
ONCE seekers thinks the torture might be raised
u hfty One certainly cannot be tar out Of the way
In saying that since the 9th of November the Prcst
dent-elect has had between 900 and 1000 personal
callers, half Of them entire strangers whom he has
Deen oDngednto give separate audiences lasting from
ten minutes TO two three hours And this aggre-
gate does not include at all the people whom General
Harrison has bad to meet and shake hands with ut
the public receptions he has taken part in during the
last two months.
These pilgrims to indianapolis would MAKE the
fortune Of poltica, cha acter sketcher Here tho
hackwoods county chairman, with haysced or hts
coat collar and petition in support OF his favorte
candidate for the Cabinet in his pocket joses against
tho United states Senator In Fifth-Avenue made
clothes who has como TO ask for the Federal patron
age OF State. Delegations from the South In the
tnnnest OF spring overcoats chat in tho hote Hobbies
and ON the street with fur.cad politicians
from the Territories along the Canadian border. The
ioud-voiced Cabinet boomer from the Far West
burdens himself to the cautious NewEng-
man. who is laying his pipe, he hopes,
with tho next Administration but doesn't caro- TO have
everybody know II. The combinations of day are
nearly nexhaustible. Here is one at hotel table
a spnghtly clergyman from Washington Territory,
gray and deaf Chicago editor. solemn, longbeardsd
Tennesseean and portly rudy cheezed expert In
Philadelphia politics. The pilgrims from distance
come and quickly, but behind them ALL as ssort Of
stable background arc the indefatgable city poll
tictans. Scarcely less fixed quantity at the Gen.
erals house and about the hotels the party lead
ers from Indianas ninety-two counties. Until the
list Of March, political cynics say, General Harn-
will ind these enthusiastic admirers always with
him., like the poor in the tmehonored text
Under this continual pressure Of visitors the Presi
dentelect has naturally hardened and toughened, UNI
Ill run of 100 200 callers some special occa-
sion scarcely shakes his nerves. No man can be
moro patient and courteous listener than General Hsr-
rison. Only the other day he remarked that he had
done HIS talking during the campaign and would have
another chance after March L. Now he listening
TO what other people had to say. Most of the Gen.
erals callers Will agree that this pleasantly Is liter
ally true. Once beyond friendly personal chat rem
lniscences Of the campaign and general talk sub
jects that up, the Presldentclect indicates
that he would rather have tho passive share In the
conversation He asks many questions, but expresses
few opinions Ono thing many visitors have been
struck with-the General never makes the first move
~ close the Interview The caller talk on until
he has had his whole say and feels ready TO CO. The
perfect courtesy of attention is likely TO 10 his
mind aferward, and II he Is Territorial politician
booming some State he may have prckngs Of con-
science for having dwelt so long on subject with
which General Harrison probably far f.
milsr than himself.
Tho President-eect Is widely known accom-
pshed hand-sheker. Indeed, in hasty personal
sketch OF him, published In lie Figaro Of Paris,
few days after tho election, this characteristic was
brought out most conspicuously The only two other
things dS writer seemed Of that he General
was q descendant Of Pocahontss and that Mrs Har-
rson fond of giving afternoon teas. The Prosi-
dentelect has the art, which Mr. Blaine also exoels
In and which General Grant sadly lacked, Of getting
the first grip, SO to speak, in shaking hands. He
does the shaking hime and never allows his hand to
got in the vise Of enthusiastic and muscular ad-
miIsr. SO after long reception his palms are not
pufet up, his fingers not stih, and his wrist is
not almost out OF Joint The pressure, too, lively
and cordial one and puts the stranger at once at ease
Two interesting anecdotes have beon told here TO
Gently which show what odd callers General Harrison
sometimes Tho first story dates back to the days
Just after tho election big countrymsn, &c is said,
high rough boots aud with his shtrfront open TO
the air. stalked across the Generals lawn ono after
noon and not recognizing the electric bell button gave
several resounding thumps the front door. Gen.
eral Harrison sitting In the front parfor with
few friends. and taking the situation in at glance,
stepped out into the hall and opened the door himself
The backwoodsmsn walked In unabashcd, and asked
in stentoran tones II he speaking to General Har
rson.
ayes, nv name is HarrisonS said tho President
elect
$50 you're TO be our next President the big
Hoosier continued with bold front. never seen
real President. thought I'D como out and soc YOU
This tho ending point OF the countrymans
IDEAS He hemmed and hawed, and then began again
Well, we'll. So you're 10 be our next President
Yes.n said the General smilingly.
"Well, Pm glad TO live President"
Then the six-foot visitor fell into tho old round
once more After the fourth or fifth inquiry as 10
whether he was going 10 be the next President, the
General said goOd-humoredly:
Yes suppose II live until the dth OF March,
Finally the countryman backed out Of the door, fully
satisfied that he lad done his duty to the President
elect and had had highly conventional and delight |
full interview"
The other anecdote is one that has perhaps had 1
some currency by this time, but Is worth repeating