The Louisiana Democrat., 1889-01-16
PRIVATE SECRETARlE S.
Cosby Chat About the Predecessors of
Popular Dan Lamont.

Cosby Chat About the Predecessors OF
Popular Dan Lamont.
There was no secretary to the Presi-
dent prior to 1913, but 1885 Congress
authorized clerk to the President Ito
sign land patents" and President Jack
son appointed Andrew Jackson Donel-
son, his nephew, as "signer of land
patents" Later, Major Donelson
changed his name, and he appears in
the Congressional Directory for the
second session, Twenty-fourth Con-
gress, as ''Andrew jackson, Jr."
Martin Van Buren had for his signer
of patents Major A. Van Buren, dur
ing his whole term. Whether or
not General Harrison appointed any
one to the place Is not certain, but the
next succeeding directory gives the
name of John Tyler, Jr., and that gen.
tleman took to himself the style and
title of "secretary,n to sign, etc, al
though there was no warrant of law
| for it.
President Polk appointed his nephew,
James Knox Walker, and that gentle
man in 1915 became the first ''private
secretary to the President" under a
law passed at the second session of the
Twenty ninth Congress.
Sidney Webster, who afterward 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 Donelson, changed his
name, and in the tterpart 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.. Lincoln's secretary
was John e. Nicolay, and Colonel Hay
was given an army commission in the
volunteers and detailed for special
duty at the White House.
Prior to President Jackson's time
the clerical labor at 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" but promoted
the "signer of patents" to be secretary
for that purpose.
Colonel Robert johnson was secre-
tary during all of his fathers incum,
bency of the Presidency, and Colonel
Robert Morrow, who afterward com.
mitted suicide while on duty at Sar
Francisco, was the first assistant. Nor
row was succeeded, in 1867, when he
was appointed paymaster in the army,
by William Wallace Warden, who now
resides here, practicing law. During
Mr. Johnson's time detail OF army
officers was placed on regular duty al
the White House, and the detail in
cluded General Reuben d. Mussey
Colonel Browning, w. G. Moor
(now chief of police here) an6
Wright Rives and Captain Andrew
X. Long. In the Congressional;
Directory of those days they are
styled secretaries" and it was tina
precedent that brought about the de
tail of Generals Dent, Porter and Bah
cock for General Grant.
President Arthur's private secretary
was Fred Phillips. President Hayes
private secretary was Colonel Rodgers
d good-natured gentleman, who filled
the office satisfactorily. He was not 1
pronounced character and was chief,
noticeable for his thrift and ready rec
ognition of the main chance Wash
| oil