Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-03-09


fitted for ,nem. Ii they are men who
want the Offices all right. II not-well,
SO much the worse for them.
The President mad scarce finished his
breakfast when the callers began to
arrive. He had just settled down TO
tackle big mail that was piled high
on his desk. The first callers were
Gov. Pattison of Pennsylvania and
staff. Then Senator Mills dropped ia
and paid his respects. The Governor
of North Carolina followed, and then
Senator Palmer called with Delos ?.
Phelps, of the Illinois State Central
Committee. Mr.. Phelps wants to be Con-
sui general to London. The position
is worth S25, 900 a year. He is not the
only man who wants it. 1t is the fat
test plum in the gift of administration
It is the one Editor New selected four
years ago when Harrison. recognizing
his great obligations. took him out
driving and, showing him list of the
chief executives gifts, told him TO
choose. Phelps may get the plum.
Then, again, he may not. 1t all de-
ponds on Grover C. All that is known
now is that Phelps has the strongest
political Endorsement from his State.
Then came the first officeseel1er Of
the administration. Phelps wants an
Office, but he did not make his wants,
known. He merely called to pay his
respects. This first officeseelzer had
his petition with him. It has been de-
s"ribed before. All Chicago has heard
81 it, SO has pretty much the rest of
the country. He unfolded it for
the inspection of a number of
persons who were toasting their
heels in the ante-room He told
how he had got it up. He dilated
at length on what great many who
wanted to sigS but could not had said
to explain why they could not. Then
the doorkeeper came out and told
Frank-yes, it was Lawler-that the
President would see him. This an
uouncement robbed him of his self
possession. He dropped his petition
picked it up and tried to arrange it and
put it back in its wrapper.
Come on, Frank" cried the door
keeper; ''the President is waiting''
Franks hands trembled. I'm a
minute he said; and then he tried to
slip couple of rubber bands around
the petition. He got one band over
and then dropped the other.
'ECome on, Frank" the doorkeeper
cried, inpatiently. Never mind the
petition
"Never mind the petitionn' cried
Frank
eff you are coming, Mr.. Lawler,"
said the doorkeeper severely, you
must come now. The President is
waiting"
Then Frank lost his nerve completely.
He couldn't take the petition in half
wrapped up. The doorleeper would
not wait. He must see the President.
So he dropped his treasured petition on
a desk and followed the door
keeper into the Presidents room.
A half-minute later he came out.
He had merely congratulated the
President and given him good wishes
for success. The President had asked
him if he were going TO be in town for
few days. and he had told the Presi-
dent that he was. Law1er said he would
notify the Postmaster General when he
was sworn in that he was an applicant
tor the CHICAGO D0stoffce
Other officeseakers followed Lawler.
Ii was noticed, however, that none Of
them came out with 1rniling faces
Some showed traces of great disappoint-
ment, Others were angry, but none were
smiling. There was q great CROWD
around the white house anxious to get
inside, but only a few were admitted.
In the afternoon the president re-
ceived more callers. 1t is estimated
that nearly 5000 people shook hands
during the day.