The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-22

rowed with horizontal wrinkles; and finer
lines in and about the eyes told the story
of labor doggediy protracted TO the limit
of physical endurance.
Mr.. Harrison, in response to some re-
mark of mine, began TO talk almost imme-
diately. He talks in rather low voice,
sliding his words and sentences into groups
or masses, and looking down, or aside,
while speaking; but, when approaching the
upshot of what he has to say, he always
opens his eyes and fixes them upon his in
terlocutor. Probably his mind, and habit
of thought. are sympathetic rather than
analytic; he sees and conceives things in
the large, and in their more general rela-
tons, and has a distaste for detail-of
which, nevertheless, an intolerable amount
must fall to his share.
The presidents business goes on all the
time and the more the population of the
country the more will he have to do. /
suggested that the enlargement of the ma
ton would be practically indefinite, where
as the capacity of man was necessarily
limited. and must come TO an end sooner
or later Mr.. harrison looked down and
intimated that the situation was never
theless as he had put it; there seemed TO
be no provision To enable the chief magis-
trate 10 delegate or otherwise escape from
his duties. He must do IL all himself.
can't sign papers submitted to me quite
blindiy. must look into them enough TO get
some idea of their quality. If the attorney gem
eral wants me To afiix my signature must look
through the brief. If the hours for different
branches OF work could be fixed the despatch of
business would be promoted III l knew that,
for a certain length of time, could pursue one
line OF thought or labor without Interruption
but no such thing is possible. II set myself 10
pursue a certain line of thought, there comes a
knock AZ the door, aud must break off and give
my attention for ten minutes or half an hour TO
an entirely foreign matter; when that Is dis
patched, aud i get To work again, and am
making some progress, perhaps-anoiher inter
ruption. And 10 goes on day after day.
can never be free from approach OF those who
require to sse me. There is no door that | can
shut can't hide anywhere-l can't hide any
where.
There was, as | have already intimated,
a twinkle of grim humor in Mr.. Harri-
sons eyes as he said it. His eyes are
noticeable; sharply pointed at the inner
corners and set with somewhat of down.
ward inclination toward the nose, and
dark gray in color. They reminded me of
the eyes of "A grizzly bear. / record this
observation for whatever II may be worth.
Those who are better acquainted with Mr..
Harrison than | can ever be will be able TO
estimate its worth.
| asked him whether there was any
particular kind of work, appertaining to
his duties, which he found especial salts
faction in performing. He replied that,
generally speaking, he best liked to be
or international importance: but, said
he, II am continually called upon
TO beStow attention upon insignlt-
cant or absurd subjects. / made
list, by the way, of number of matters
upon which was requested 10 give a de-
cision one day lately. I'll read il TO you"
lie turned over some papers and selected
blt OF paper from which he proceeded to
read a series of sufficiently extraordinary
propositions. Somebody asked him TO adj
Indicate upon an obscure land claim in the
Northwest. Another requested him 10
award Judgment upon a matter utterly
trihlng IN itself. and concerning which
there We're no grounds TO form an opinion.
A third wanted this and a fourth that,
each IN succession seeming, if possible,
more farcial than the other. And last,
aud most remarkable OF all" continued
Mr.. Harrison. turning over the paper. Us
this man who asked me 10 take measures
20 introduce the Monroe Doctrine into
Africa / said 10 him that the essence OF
the Monroe Doctrine would preclude
me from interfering with Africa: but
he thought If | were 10 establish
the doctrine in Africa, and give my
name 20 il, II would he "A great thing for
the administration. That will show you"
added the president, the sort of thing
some people expect rae 10 90. In thar way
man. time may he FILTERED away until
there seems 10 he none LETT for affairs of
real moment. | remember there was an
oak tree growing on NV place. which |
valued highly--a handsome tree. with
wide-spreading branches. one day As |
MAS walking that way / found a mana
slranger-cutting of one OF the branches
(CoEsaased GA Pace IL