Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-27

There was nothing particularly attractive
about the White House to-day, but the stream
OF visitors was by no means small in volume.
They were not ofice-seekers, however,
for the gentlemen who are clas-
sif'ed as such had been warned
not to approach the President until after he
returns from the Washington Inauguration CEN
tennial and although they can scarcely conceal
their impotence they are too wary to allow the
President half a chance to sit down perma-
nently on their hopes. The crowd num-
bered about 800, principally Of the feminine
gender, and the greater portion of it decidedly
moist as to its garments. 1t was not definitely
known that the President would forsake his
work for the purpose Of shaking hands with
anybody to-day, but the tourists came through
the rain on their faith and waited around in the
east room with q confidence that would not be
shaken, even when the President did not come
downstairs at the appointed hour. A few
minutes past he descended to the lower floor
and disposed of the assembled multitude in a
little more than ten minutes.
GOVERNOR HovEY CALLS.
OF official visitors there were but four. The
first was Governor Hovey, who is on his way to
the centennial celebration. He had quite a
lengthy chat with his old friend. The
governor thinks that the President is
ooiHS well 10 make naSt6 Slowly, and
sees no reason why the ofice-seekers should
howl because their wants are not all instan-
taneously attended to. He is anxious that the
President be careful Of his health, and says he
feels sure that he is avoiding overwork.
THE RAILWAY MAIL sEvRIcE.
Assistant Attorney-General Tyner, Of the
Post-Ofice department, had consultation with
the President about various matters of import
ance, and it was rumored at the department
that he would endeavor to have the day
postponed when the railway mail service will
be thrown into the NAV Of the civil-service
commission.
After the public reception was over, at about
1:3O, there were two additional visitors-Post-
master-General Wanamaker and the civiI-ser-
vice commission, Mr. Lyman.
The extension Of the civil-service rules over
the railway mail service was also the topic Of
their conversation. The matter was carefully
discussed, the Postmaster General made his
last plea for little more time, and then the
matter was settled.
1.-THE civil-service rules will shelter the rail-
way mail service on and after Wednesday next"
said Mr.. Wanamaker to a STAR reporter when
he came out Of the library
GEN. MALONE CALLS.
At 2:30 came an unexpected visitor-General
Malone. He was at once ushered into the
library, where he remained for more than an
hour, engaged in discussing with the President
that important matter, the federal patronage
in Virginia.
One Of the most annoying features Of the
White House correspondence is the large per-
centage of begging letters which are
continually being received OF course
it would be impossible for the President to
respond to 1.-THE of the demands thus made
upon him, so he has adopted the plan of refus-
ing all except those of which he has personal
knowledge. The President Is naturally of
generous disposition and If he had 500, 900 a
year to expend in charity he could dispose of
it by giving what is asked of him by one-half
of his correspondents. Every letter is an
swered, but the reply is invariably a respectful
but firm negative.
The Postmaster General took away with him
to-day the commission of Hiram j. Daniels, Of
Anderson, Marion county, Ind.
During Secretary Halford's absence in New
York, MIR. Pruden will be in charge of the Of
fees and will attend to the festive Office
seekers.