New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-13
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
HeKE, SMITH AND HIS SUCCESSOR


srr,,h and nv many people certainly, he Is reck
oned a conceited and bumptious individual he
was q universal favorite with his subordnates
and those who had direct business dealings with
the Interior Department. clerk in the employ
Of this Department for some twenty years-a
Republican, therefore. and a partisan of strong
bias-gave his testimony recently In the follow
ing words:
I'm my two decades OF service there has never
been a Secretary easy of access so approach
able so responsive. genial and kind; never
Secretary whose head was less swelled by MS
Mace who was more sensible and far-seeing
IN the administration OF the affairs OF the De
rartment who worked always for the general
good and not for his own ACKNOWLEDGMENT. who
was so fair. square and honest in dealing with
those under him.
This is the general opinion prevailing through
out the Department concerning It's late head FOR
while Mr.. Smith was undoubtedly short and curt
with many high muck-a mucks. who consumed
his time and patience to no purpose, when the
business of the Department was under consider
alton his patience and urbanity knew no limits
Unlike one of his predecessors. who forbade the
clerks to speak to him either in or outside of the
Department in his attitude to those under him
he was thoroughly democratic, invariably greet
ing them genay and pleasantly. Unlike some
Of his colleagues. too. who surround themselves
with monarchcal ceremony have the doors OF
their sanctums guarded by Cerberuses. and go
so far as TO have the elevators emptied of pas
sengers at their convenience. he exacted no es-
pecial consideration and it was simple matter
TO obtain an audience with him.
Socially the Hoke Smiths played no role. Mrs.
Hoke Smith had family of little children 10
whom she showed an old-fashioned devotion and
attention. and who monopolized the greater part
OF her time while the Secretary had as little sym
pathy with society and its forms as Round
head or a scotch Covenanter. He was bust
ness man. pure and simple. devOting all Of his
energies to his work and neither cared for nor
needed social relaxatiOns But when the eXi-
gencies of his position demanded that ne should
be in evidence at social functions Hoke Smith
was courteous and agreeable wthal genial
host and responsive guest
His successor has made a good impression in
the Department. which as yet has not felt any
result in the change of its head. Secretary
Francis is a fne-looking man. of dienihed pres
ence ard pleasing manners, more Of the world
than his predecessor and not without magnet
ism 4 man of broad culture and possessed Of
some wealth. he was Influenced in no small de-
gree in accepting his place by its social side
who is a handsome woman on the sunny side of
forty in spite OF her five tall sons. two of whom
are students at Yale viii take the lead in society
this winter The women in President Cleveands
Cabinet have not been especially noted for their
activity in social affairs They have felt the need
Of a leader such as Mrs. Whitney in the
Presidents former Administration, which far out
shOne the present one in the brilliancy OF It's
social life For this post the wife Of the new See
rotary. who has had long experience as leader
at her home in st. Louis. is thoroughly equipped
Mrs Francis is a daughter of John d. Perry. one
81 the original owners Of the Anchor Steamship
Line from whom she inherited large fortune.
she is not only handsome, but has an at
tractivc personality. is good talker. and is en-
dOved with social tact, talent, lacking
which the cleverest women social failures
The few days Of her stay in Washington
Mrs. Francis devoted TO house hunting. with the
avowcd intention OF finding a mansion of ample
proportions convenient for entertaining. which is
pleasant news to those who have grumbled at
the social lethargy of the present Administration
John A. r. Hull of the With District of Iowa.
VINO for the last two weeks has been taking his
turn in directing the affairs of the Republican
Congressional Committee, has recently returned
home look after his fences. Mr.. Hull
Gays that the present disruption in the Demo-
ratio party reminds him Of a story concerning an
Interesting family who are his constituents.
thrifty farmer of the name Of Robinson the
father of five sturdy and healthy little Robin
sons. married a buxom widow with five children
and the result of this union five children
After their progeny had reached manhood and
womanhoOd and flown from the parental nest
there vas grand family reunion at the Robin
ton homestead All was happiness and jollity
until one day the father came shreking into the
house from the apple orchard. where the chill
dren gathered.
Mother, mother, mother. for the land sake
come quickly. The children have got to fight
in an your children and my children KILN
children
There is in town al present most interesting
and unique character Colonel Chaille Long
whose principal claim to fame is that when an
officer OF the Egyptian Army. he discovered the
sources Of the Nile. Colonel Long-Chaille Long
rather because his mothers name OF Chaille
Incorporated with his own by act of Legislature
was born on the eastern shore Of Maryland
famous for it's oysters and its terrapn and Is, as
his name indicates, of French descent. Against
the traditions Of his birthplace. he joined the
Union Army at the beginning Of the war. and
served with distinction until its close. He then
uttered into a contract with the Khedive Of Egypt
y assume a command in his army, the contract
blast five years. Here because Of his gallantry
an bravery. his absolute fearlessness as a fight
eryolonel Chaille Long rapidly promoted.
andafter he discovered the sources Of the Nile.
asehanged from the contract TO the regular
ser'l>. with the rank of colonel made Bey.
uecorsed with medals and became a great ia
yorite court. Few men WHO have fought in the
- h.a
IN the vey MONDAY of his success Colonel Chale
Long wa. stricken with the climatic fever. con-
sequon; uOn exposure and privation during his
service In H.