Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-01

visitors with a smile and in the most demo-
cratic manner. The member" introduces each
of the party and the President cordially shakes
hands with them. By this time the ice is broken
and the men begin to feel little more at ease
while the member tells the President what Col
Blank wants. how well he is recommended for
it, and what fine fellow he is. ANYWAY. Then
the President suggests that Col. Blank file his
papers az the proper department and
assures him that his application will
receive due consideration. With this
they pass On while another party steps up and
goes through the same program. The west
erners halt a few PAGES off and take a last, long
look al the President. This has been a great
day for them. They viii go back home and for
the rest Of the spring and summer and FAR into
the fall will regale successive coteries of their
neighbors with what they said to the President
and what the President said to them. and that
conversation will grow with repetition until
after awhile it would seem TINT they had put in
whole day talking to the President about Col.
Blanks Office.
They retire by the way they entered, struggle
through the waiting crowd. likely as not drop
some caustic observations about this disgrace
ful scramble for Office" and then 60 their
ways.
WHEN THE CROWD GATHERS.
The crowd begins to gather in the morning
by $50 o'clock ard at 10 o'clock sharp the at
tack upon the President is begun. On We'd
nesdays. Thursdays and Saturdays the hours
from 10 to II are devoted to the reception OF
Congressman and the friends they NAV bring
with them. From IL to l private citizens who
have business with the Presiden, are admitted.
On cabinet days. Tuesdays and FRIDAYS, the
Congressman have only one hour in which to
present their claims and the general public does
not get IL Ill.
Capt Loefier. who has been on duty AZ the
White House ever since the close Of the war, is
anf sbAr and oil pfTinI ol
callers. arranging their entry into the Presi-
dents room SO that there will not be too great
a crowd around him at one time.
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.
Having seen the President through the
medium Of the Congressman let's take look at
his right-hand man, Private Secretary Thurber
He occupies a room in the southeast corner Of
the mansion adjoining the Presidents Office
Mr.. Thlrber is the Presidents breakwater to
fend of the tidal waves of callers that would
otherwise deluge him. There are usually from
fifteen to thirty people seated in the lobby out
side his doo- in the morning awaiting an inter-
view. These are people who have or think
they have business with the President. but can
not command the luxury Of a congressional in
PRODUCTION.
Mr. Thurber is an active. why man. with a
keen eve and way of bringing people right
TO the point. Every one gets respectful audi
ence and decisive answer to their requests
They usually come to see the President, but
Mr.. Thurber generally succeeds in convincing
them that they did not really want to see him
after all. A great many Office seekers come to
Washington TO plead their own cause. ard they
strike Mr.. Thurber the first thing and leave
their papers or are directed where to take them
for thing.
After tbs day is over and the President and
the private secretary have already done two
DAYS work in handling the callers the Presiden.
SIT r. hnvvp tn at end 70 fha h,,a1
which comes before hin daily from thu depart
ments. This duty otter occupies him until
or O'Clock in tho morning, and another day
has almost fairly begun before Mr. Thurber
turns into his room AT the Arli lgtoa and the
light is extinguished in tbs Presidents office.