The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-12
HARRISON AND. THE PRESS
No Other President Has Been So Courte-
Gus to Newspaper Representatives.
Always Welcomed to the White House by Both
the Chief Executive and Mrs. Harrison
Many Editors Rewarded with Office.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Dec. Ill shall be glad
when ME-. Cleveland comes to the White
House. / am told he was so nice to the
newspaper men; and then Mrs. Cleveland
she is perfectly lovely to every writer for
the press. Why. / am told that when Mr..
Cleveland was In the White House before
he had every newspaper man In Washing
ton invited to the receptions"
This was what q talented young writer
for the press. who had been IN Washington
but short time, said to-day, In speaking
of the conditions which will surround the
newspaper fraternity after the 4th of
March next, and comparing them in fancy
to those which have existed in Washington
during the past three years and nine
months. In view of an utterance by
another writer for the press. lady, it is
interesting, especially to the representa-
tives Of the press in various parts of the
country, to make some observations about
the courtesies which have under President
Harrison been extended to newspaper
writer's in Washington. The other writer.
who made an observation, in o spirit of
complaint, said:
mo, the President will not appoint him,
just because he is q newspaper manw
When President Harrison came TO Wash
ington for his inauguration he brought
with him Mr. X. w. Halford as his private
secretary. He thought of a newspaper man
for this place as soon as he learned that he
had been elected. His first step after cleo
tion was Go honor the newspaper fraternity,
which he knew had done much for him.
Mr. Halford for many years had been and
at the time of the election was managing
editor of the Indianapolis Journal. When
the Presldent-elect established his head
quarters, q few days before inauguration.
at the Arlington Hotel he received as
callers along with men he had selected for
his Cabines, with Senators and members
of Congress, the newspaper men of the city
and country. He knew no lines of distinc-
tion. Mr.. Halford's rooms at the hotel, at
that time OF great rush and worry were
always open for the information and con-
venience of press representatives.
1t was entirely different when Mr.. Cleve-
land came to be lnaugurated, four years
before.
to the first card reception given by Presi-
dent and Mrs. Harrison. Private Secretary
Haliord inquired what had been the Gus
tom in extending invitations to representa-
respondent knows this is true. because he
gave the lnformation-that under Pres;-
dent Cleveland a general not tee was written
out and posted In the press galleries of
Congress. inviting the represeD tatives of
the press en- masse. just as yon woulc ask
all of q class to attend an auction or tight
rope exhibition.
THAT is all wrong" said Mr. Halford
THE newspaper men are gentlemen; gen.
tlemen of education and refinement. They
have wives and sisters VINO are educated
and refined. They are q sensitive lot of
men and women. too. don't see why an
exception should be made TO them. If they
are good enough TO come TO these rece D.
tions they are good enough to receive
cards. invitations like others"
From that moment the custom changed.
To every reception given at the White
House since the inauguration of President
Harrison regular card invitations have
been received by the represent ntatives of the
press in Washington and other points
where IL vas supposed the recipients could
respond. They have been extended pre-.
cisely the same kind of invitations th at
have been sent to Senators. Congressman,
Justices of the Supreme Court. Ministers
from foreign countries. and other poten-
tates. There have been more newspap peI
representatives at those receptions than al
any Others ever held at she White House.
Outside of the fraternity, among poll
ticians. there has been complaint that in
the distribution of patronage too much at-
tentlon has been given to the press and it,
representatives Among the very first ap-
pointments made were those Of the editor