The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-06-12
A VIEW OF THE PRESIDENT
How the Manner and Character of the
Man Impress a Close Observer.
In the Coming CamIaign the Harrison Adj
ministratiOn Will Come in for Little Crit
iciSm-His Equipment for the Office.

wears term has become much better known
to the country. although be is so reserved
and saws so little about himself that il is
more from his friends and associates that
one obtains a complete knowledge of his
character. / saw him the other day In
Washington. and am sure both his friends
and his enemies would have respected his
attitute regarding the Minneapolis NOM
iuation. He appeared to occupy a very
disDassionate position. He said he had no
mortgage himself upon the place. He was
thankful for the confidence of the people,
and was willing to abide by their decision.
shall quote only one sentence of the Pres
ident's conversation: IF the nomination
comes To me-" said he. there will be no
dust on my knees"
will simply give picture of the Presi-
dent as he sat at his desk, going through
his morning mail He bears lightly his
fifty-nine years. He will have reached the
limit of his three score with the close of
his four years term. He is of medium
height and quite stout His weight is In
the neighborhood of $50 pounds. The
shortness of his neck gives him the sp-
pearance of not being as tall as he really
is. His actual height is live feet seven.
His head is large. his forehead is very full.
especially over the eyes; his hair is silver
gray just beginning to thin, and is combed
smoothly and fatty over the fall brow; his
eyes are of a gray-blue. intensely keen, and
some of the politicians say at times in
tensely cold; his complexion is very fair.
having the healthy pink and white
of q gentleman of clean living and high
health; an iron gray moustache and long
beard hide the lower part of his face. His
hands are very plump and white. He was
dressed in q neat morning suit of black,
with gray trousers a black cravat, snowy
white linen, and carefully polished boots
completed his personal equipments. His
voice Is deep and rapid; be talks with the
rush of the rapid thinker. Even Mr..
Blaine himself himself does not talk as
rapidly as the President In private con-
versation. In this conversation he showed
reserve. He either talks freely or does
not talk at all tie Is not q man Of half
condolences; he Is at his best when he IS
with his friends and the element of busi-
ness Is eliminated. When surrounded by
his children and family no one would
think of calling him a cold man.
SYMPATHETIC MAN.
noticed in one of the Democratic papers
dent of the United States as platform
speaker from the rear of train was genial,
graceful, original and that he always made
kindly impression; 1t added, what pity
10 was that he could not make as kindly an
Impression upon those who called upon
him at the White House. 1t must be re-
membered in this connection that the
President, when he is out before the pub
lie is in the sight and eyes of everyone
and that no ono can be deceived concern
ing his real kindness and geniality OF TEN.
permanent. but when he Is in the White
House the politicians no call upon him
are the reporters, and it is to them that
must be credited the stories of his GOODNESS
The President is not a cold or an unkind
man. Whatever one may think of him,
close study of his character and his
life will show that he Is exceptionally
kind and sympathetic. those who saw
him working with his own hands over
the fallen form OF the Secretary of the
Navy at the time of the terrible tragedy
Sc the latteTS house, wonld not think
OF calling him man of feeble sympathies
Tears rained down his cheeks as be la bored
with the surgeons toTestore the unconscious
Secretary. The truest stories concerning q
man come from those who are in his per-
soDsi service. and from them 1 have heard
only stories OF his unusual kindness and
unusual thouRhtfulness to those about him.
j wish TO avoid everything which can SAVIOR
of euloGy. study, however, of the Pres
idents character. of the work he has done
forces one TO the point of esteem, high re-
speet and admiration. 1t will
count for nothing in the history
OF the various administrations whether
the President shook hands well
or whether he was able TO impress strang-
ers pleasantly during first interview.
think that the first impression produced
by the President upon stranger IS not an
agreeable one. He belongs TO tho type of
reserved characters who apparently have
made it the rule of their life to conceal their
feelings. The President, upon the ordinary
occasions of life, shows but little emotion.
He sits IN his chair as President as he
would If he were Judge upon the bench.
lie has refused many times 10 mako con-
cesSIons IN the way of appointments be-
cause he did not think they were right,
whereby he might have made strong pOlit-
Icat alliances for the future. | think It
can be said truly and justly of Mr..
Harrison that he has never used the pat
ronage of his place TO advance his own per-
sOnal fortune The President possesses one
OF those rare characters which improves up
on acquaintance. He is always animated by
desire 10 do right. In fact. the environ
ments which surround q President are so
Dyerw helming in their power 1t would take
very bad or weak man TO 90 far astray in
that office. 1t has been said of the execu-
tive office that its responsibilities and re-
qhilcHohtS NOulu llt u Dau man 10 tine
plane of the good; then. to what an extent
must Its SURROUNDINGS support and
strengthen a man who came TO II with such
high notions as tthe PresIdentf Every
President who has PATRONAGE 10 distribute
earns more or less appropriately. The Pres
ident has had his SHIRE Of that. but no one
will say that ne has had moro than the
average President.
DEMOCRATIC CRITICISM.
During q recent visit to Washington /
asked one of the leading Democratic Sena-
tors what would be the line of criticism on
the part of the Democrats on this admins
tration in the coming campaign. lie said
frankly that ne would have TO eriticlse
more the party which the President repre-
sented than the President himself He
said that he would be willing to concede
his honor, his uprishtness and his good in
tentlOns. that be did not believe any man
would be permitted TO be better than his
party, and tnen he proceeded with great
detail and categorical clearness to give me
the Democratic list of crimes chargeable 10
the unfortunate Republican party. / give
this Illustration merely TO show that the
Presidents Democratic opponents nj Wash
ington cOncede oil that is necessary 10 be
said concerning the President; they charge,
however, IN common with some of the res
ldents at Washington, that the President is
cold IN his manner
A distinguished official, who has lived
many years in Washington, in discussing
this seeming tralr IN the Presidents char
aeter. said that much Of the dissatisfaction
felt with recent Presidents by those who
came III contact with them could be traced
TO very small cause. he thought that
the Presidents should receive their visitors
sitting. MIR. Lincoln always sat: he took a
an n a FOL. Ia md hoA