The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-08
GOV. MORRILL'S LIKES.
sBecky Sharp Talks to the Gov
ernor of Kansas
ABOUT SOMETHING BESIDES POLITICS.

l don't want an Office, nor have 1 a
friend whom l would like to have ap-
pointed.
And yet I've been to see the governor
am aware that in the light of the last
statement, the first one may seem strange,
if indeed anyone believes it at all, since
there are SO many people importuning
the chief executive all the time, for one
or both of these things; an office for
themselves or one for friend.
If there are others, who like me, would
like an interview with the governor on
different grounds, l can give specimens
OF so rare a genus few pointers.
First, youth have trouble getting there
ahead of the hungry horde who call
there every day to the number of about
one hundred each. 1t would be wise,
then, to take a day for it, and lay in an
extra stock of patience. As you go up
the state house steps, don't mind running
the gauntlet of a crowd of loafers. They
are probably genteel loafers, proud of
their position, though you may be, as |
was, SO misguided as to feel embarrassed.
l went in at the first door to the left of
the east entrance. 1t was late, one of
those sunny afternoons of last week, and
Miss Kate Adams, the governors pretty
stenographer, was gone.
Mr.. Bristow, his private secretary, was
arranging part of the heavy mail, pre-
paratorv to closing his desk.
Just here, let me advise you, if you
are thinking of writing to the governor,
and don't want Mr.. Bristow to read your
letter first, aud want the governor to read
it ALL take it to Hiawatha and mail it, or
get some one of his best friends to add
dress and mail it for you.
O,Ivr Fexx IF RI
the governor, that is a few comparatively
speaking, ever reach him, and the
wisdom of this will be seen when it is
considered that $50 letters day has
been the average number received at his
office, addressed to him, since Jan
uary 10.
1t would keep him pretty busy to read
them, not to mention talking to, or rather
listening to his hundred callers day.
While / waited in the ante-room,
chatted with Mr.. Hill, who seems to be
always busy.
Presently a man emerged from the
governors private room, as he did so,
meeting and offering congratulations to
recent appointee, saying, with what
seemed to d woman, unnecessary tact
lessness, 81 am glad for you, though l
recommended SO-and-So; he is an old
comrade you know"
The answer sounded like an illustra-
ton of the administration policy.
The man said. perhaps it was just as
well that | was not much recommended"
AS 1 pondered over this reply Mr. Hill
said, "Now, Miss Sharp" much after the
fashion of barber saying next, imag
inc
Governor Morrill, met me at the door
aud shaking hands said, How do you
do, liss Sharp; how are you feeling
now?" with an apparent accent on the
now.
As none of his appointments had
greatly disappointed me, and l felt as
we'll as l did at the beginning of the
administration, l said. quite we'll 1
thank you"
was not nearly SO nonplussed as had
| feared might be. by calling on real
live governor. with no real business.
Perhaps it is his manner that puts you
| at your ease. He is an everyday sort of
mau, who don't assume lOrdly airs; and
as he offered me one OF the numerous
easy chairs sitting about his office, and
took one himself, there was none of the
now hurry up young woman Pm busy
manner, that ! have often encountered
from men of much leas Importance,
| though it was nearly six p m.
| l have heard it said that Governor Nor
rill is not sincere man, but MS l have
/ before stated that l don't want an Office,
l suppose l may be allowed to say that /
like him.
His bearing is pleasing without being
insinuating, and he clasps your hand in d
firm, friendly way, while he looks
straight at you with a pair of clear
kindly, though piercing, brown eyes, that
make you feel they might read your
thoughts and would be sorry if they
found them unpleasant
I said, s'Governor Morrill, l came to in
terv1ew you"
He replied, 81 am at your service"
| Although he works hard the governor
looks WE'LL his face is full and has &
healthy color. His hair is white and sc
is his beard, with the exception of the
mustache which is almost as dark as his
heavy eyebrows
In his left hand he held a case con-
tanning pair of gold bow glasses which
he explained: 81 use to save my eyes,
my sight really being remarkable for
one of my years; l am past g."
In the other hand the governor carried
an unlighted cigar l said, Governor
Morrill, please don't let me interfere with
your smoke, won't you light your cigar.
"No, l do not smoke, left off smok
| ing in December, '91, but l frequently
bite at an unlighted cigar"
The governor thought 1 wanted {
short sketch of his life and though tina
was not exactly what I came for, lis
tened attentively to his entertaining &C
| count.
With his cigar in one hand and hi
glasses in the other, and half reclining
as no talked, the governor said: 81 wa
born in the town of Westbrook, two miles
from Portland, Maine, February
10, 1884 Maine towns like West
brook are spread over considerable
space, and may include several Villages
within their limits. They are governed
by board of selectmen, much after the
manner of our county government
attended the Westbro ok Seminary till
was 16, and then learned my father
trade, that of a tanner"
He continued: 1.-THE day I was II
took a partner and went into the urser,
business. When [ was % was elected
| Of Woefbrootx