The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-02
A PEOPLES PRESIDENT


Aiisws No Authority to Hedge Hin
Away Fron His Fellow Citisens
ut Washfnsfon-Any One on .
Legitimate Errana In welcome
Takes Lons walks with His See
retary-Goes Horseback Riding
With Gen. Miies-White House Po-
iice Force to Be Rcduced-No
Aristocracy 20 This Administra-
tfon.
WASHINGTON. May 1.-The stranger
who visits Washington these days will
enjoy the unique sensation of seeing
president who has not forgotten that he
is still citizen President Mckinley
has apparently been altogether unaffected
in his ideas by his elevation TO the high
Office he holds The pomp of power is
only slightly in evidence. The array OF
bluecoats that have encircled the White
House grounds in greater or less degree
four four wears is 10 be greatly dirnin-
fshed In addition, the grounds of the
executive mansion on the south side are
TO be again open to the public. A Re-
U Il
every day proves himself exceedingly
democratic in his ideas.
All during the Cleveland administration
the attaches of the government seemed
to vie with one another In their efforts
to add to the exciusiveness with which
Mr. Cleveland sought to surround him.
self. The radical change from attempts
OF this nature to utter absence Of any
thing like exciusiveness Is what startles
the old-timer here and pleases the visitor
immensely. If one wishes to see the pres
ident now on legitimate errand he is
permitted TO talk TO him. and that with
out any unnecessary delay. The presi-
dent will not permit any one 10 waste his
time. but he understands thoroughly how
10 be courteous, and at the same time
cause his visitor to see for himself that
his call Is brief. This is the secret of
popularity. No one is neglected none
Is snubbed. every one is treated with a
poiteness that is exceedingly grateful.
though no attempt Is made TO impress
the recipient with the presidents cour-
tesy
President Mckinley sees no reason why
he should be debarred from enjoying the
privileges which citizenship and good con-
duct confer upon any man. Ii has almost
become a popular maxim that the side
walks OF Washington are not good enough
for the president OF the United States to
walk upon. This Is the result of a rigid
adherence to etiquette. and a liberal use of
the carriages which are supposed to con-
vey the chief executive about the city
when he cares to go. The present occu-
lover OF livery. A man whose
personal habits are above reproach. he is
stu one of those rare humans that men
know as thoroughly good fellow. He
dearly loves TO take walk, and ne Is like
~ to go anywhere. He seems to take
Keen delight in travelling about the city in
most transformations fashion. his COM
panion generally being Secretary Porter.
IL Is almost an everyday occurrence to
see the president, IL he happens TO be on
the street at the time the children are
passing back and forth from school, stop
and chat with the youngsters, seeming to
enjoy the conversation immensely. Tho
children of Washington have declared Mr.
Mckinley to be the best president they
ever heard of. As matter of fact no one
has ever occupied the executive mansion
since the days of Abraham Lincoln who
seemed TO have the gift OF attracting those
he meets 10 himself as does Mr. Mckinley.
IL is no exaggeration TO say that not more
than a dozen children In Washington can
say that President Cleveland ever spoke to
them. Nowadays. however the youngsters
watch for the president. and they know the
smile and kind word he gives them are
genuine, and not matters OF policy.
travelling about By himself. He strols
along the street just as he did in the days
when ne was a plain Ohio congressman.
and his presidential aspirations. IL they
existed at all. were deep within the bud
When his acquaintance, OF whom he has
hosts. happen TO meet him. he stops and
chats with them on all sorts of topics al
though as a rule most of them have suffi-
Gent courtesy 10 avoid arguments regard
ing the offices. The duration of his walks
Is limited by the amount of time at his
disposal. Sometimes IL is for twenty min
utes. and again for an hour. On one OF
his walks. few days ago. he was stopped
by a shaobily dressed man. who said:
Mr.. Mckinley. don't you remember me?
| was in your regiment during the war"
The president shook hands with the
speaker as cordially If he had been
a member Of the senate, and with a few
kindly words did more TO remove the
feeling Of depression with which the shah
hiiy-dressed man was evidently afflicted
than SO note would have accomplished
Mr.. Mckinley Is not disposed AT any
time 10 rebuff any one who speaks TO him.
except a persistent officeseeker Toward
this class of persons. his manner is a
trife icy and each day Is seeing il CON
geai 10 a greater extent.
Perhaps the most unusual thing for A
president 20 do is the tourneylng in a ca
true that almost every one knows him.
but his kindly democracy wins him re-
spectfui treatment by even the most Gu
rinus and Washington people a least re-
frain from staring at him This practice
on the presidents part almost took away
the breath OF the class OF people who
have looked upon the president as q sort
of demigod. but Mr.. Mckinley does not
seem 20 consider himself one whit better
than he was before the election. and APP
parentiy sees no reason why he should as
sumo regal manner toward the popu-
lace
In addition 20 his other travels about
the city. the president has become an en-
fhuSlastfc equestrian. He selects the
hour between and o'clock for this ex-
ercisc. he has no regular starting point
II being his evident intention 10 enjoy a
view Of the city from seat In the sad
die In all the different sections In or
der 10 save time. ne Is driven from the
White House 10 a designated point where
he IL met by Mai Gen Miles and several
attendants with horses Then the ride
begins. The president and Gen. Miles
are both excellent horsemen Gen. Miles
has Of course whas Is known as the milf
tsry seat. and President Mckinley sifs
his animal with equal grace The two
canter about and seemingly ind any
amount Of enjoyment in the exercise
The president IS also inclined to dis
pense as much "a possible with the
previous fashion OF only riding out in a
carriage which Is accompanied bv Iiveriea
coachmen and fcotmeu He il very fo.A
az srlving good horse himself ana - NV,
arranging for the purchase % a roas
wagon ard a stout cob with which he
saws he Is going 20 test the aualftv 81 .he
Washington eonievards as be never be-
fore had opportunity IL Is hiutes too
mi ~ D.