Evening star., 1896-02-29

ork of the department. The mail is ready
for him by the time he returns from lun-
cheon, and its consideration and dispatch
usually requires about half an hour. Until
this Is disposed of, he will receive no one
outside Of a cabinet officer. no matter what
his business may be. His close attention
to the official correspondence is explained
by his assumption of personal responsibility
for even the minutest details of the ex-
tersive and delicate business of the de-
partment. Disposing of his mail, he con-
fers with the assistant secretaries and
bureau officers as 10 the disposition of
pending questions and gives his views
to the best method of treatment. If the
matter is of unusual Importance, the Sec
retary takes the papers home with him for
further consideration at night. He pursueS
this course, however, only in the most ex-
ceptional cases. 1t is one of his rules to
confine all business to business hours, and
to devote the evenings to rest and Ielaxa-
tion No one works harder under a bet
ter system during business hours than the
right to demand respite from official
cares and responsibilities after his days
work is done
In Hours of Recreation.
The government provides him with a car
riage, but he uses it only during business
hours, and then only to save time in going
to and from the department. When he
leaves his office at o'clock. unless the
weather is particularly bad, he takes a
walk Of four or five miles before going
home. His favorite walk is down Pennsyl-
vania avenue, around the Capitol, return
ing by Massachusetts, avenue and Rhode
Island avenue to his home on 10th street.
Sometimes he has a companion on these
daily strolls, but usually he is alone. The
eason for this is apparent. He walks with
long strides and at such rapid gait that
1t would take professional pedestrian to
keep up with him to the end.
Mr. Olney is of great menfal and
physical vigor. He is exceedingly fond of
outdoor exercise. and is a lover of all ath-
1etic sports. His speciality, however. is
lawn tennis, and he plays the game when
ever the opportunity offers. Walking is
his form of exercise in winter, but in sum-
mer it is superseded by lawn tennis. Not
he is an expert player, and can hold his
own with many Of the best Of the anna
teurs. court has been laid out near his
| residence, and he plays there every summer
afternoon when the weather is good. His
usual companions in this pastme are Mai
Hall. and Capt. Barry of the army, Mr.. W.
c. Endicott jr., and Miss Gilmore, daugh-
| ter of Col Gilmore, assistant adjutant gen.
| eral. Frequently the Misses Pauncefote
daughters Of the British ambassador, take
part in the games with the Secretary of
State.
Throughout his life temperate in all his
| habits and consistent in his regimen, he
| has excellent health, and is enabled to ac-
compliSh vast amcLnt of work without
fatigue. He enjoys cold weather and his
robust constitution seems to thrive on it.
Overcoats form part of his wardrobe, but
are never worn by him in his daily walks
except in the stormest weather. He Is
somewhat particular in his attire and his
dress for all occasions Is beyond criticism.
All his surroundings are marked by neat
ness, QuietnesS and gcCd taste.
He has reduced the business Of the de-
partment to system, and usually the en-
| tire current work of the day Is disposed
nf in all the offices by 4 O'clock. All the