Morning journal and courier., 1891-12-05
GooD JOBS AT WASHINGTON,

A Wagon Load of Papers on File for
the Positions-Many Men Willing
to Work for Uncle Sam-The Presi-
dents skill I'm Handling once
Seekers.
WASHINGTON, Dec. At is improbable
that since the days of General Grant at
much pressure brought as now for ap-
pointments. In the first place President
Harrison has more prominent places to
give within the next few days than has
fallen to the lot of many presidents in the
history of the country. In the second place
there never has been so much good and
willing material as now. A judicial posi-
ton for life worth five or six thousand
dollars year is an uncommon plum. A
place on the interstate commerce
commission at $500 a year for
period of six years Is
something to be longed for by almost any
lawyer. The missions to China or Japan,
and lot of good places in the territories,
besides life place on the court of claims
at 5000 a year, have called out the most
active efforts of men who are willing to
serve Uncle Sam. 1t is said that there are
enough papers on file for the twenty or
thirty prominent positions which the pres
ident will soon fill to load a two-horse
wagon. These are from the most eminent
lawyers, business men and politicians in
the country. They are not only the wishes
of the persons who sign them but the
anticipations of host of influence.
President Harrison, better than most of
his predecessors, has been able to handle
office seekers with satisfactory skill.
When he leaves the White house it cannot
be said of him that he has thrown out false
hopes or misled or misrepresented. He has
been ever ready to say why he could not
make appointments, but has been careful
to avoid creating the impression that he
intended to make an appointment, even
thought he felt morally certain that he
would do it.
1t has been a very difficult matter for
those who have called on the president,
slngly or in numbers, to arrive at any con-
illusions as to what was occupying his
Some who are adopts in character
reading and who are familiar with Presi-
dent Harrison have esssyed to arrive at
conclusions in their own minds that he
would do this thing or fail to do that The
process by which these imaginary OF real
conclusions have been reached are inter
esting. 1t is said that President Harrison
can never be caught off his guard, and that
he never makes q careless observation, even
playfully. Those who have tried to recon
Gle their own minds as to what he would
or would not do have taken their conclu-
sions from the pleasant or unpleasant
or stoicsl expression upon the face
of the president at the time they
talked to him about appointments,
and the questions he has asked
in reference to the character and qualifcs-
tions of the applicants. 1t is said that
the president often raises objections to ap-
plicsnts which would seem to be constitu-
tionslly in the way of appointments, when
in reality he intended to appoint. His OBJ
ject in bringing up the objections, it is be-
lieved, was for the purpose of satisfying
his own mind as to the natural objections
which arose within him. In any event
there has never been a president who has
had greater fortune in his appointments,
or who has had fewer undesirable appoint
ees thrust upon him.