Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-22
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Christmas Week is a Very Busy One
for the President.
BE saw MANY CALLERS TODAY
Patronage in Various States Dis
cussed.
PROTESTS BY THE q. A. r.

Christmas week brings no rest for Pres
ident Mckinley. On the other hand there
has been no time since the beginning of
his administration when he has been more
occupied with the multitudinous and dis
eliminating duties of his office. From
morning to night this week his office has
been besieged by callers, and he has given
an audience to every man who had a right
to expect a conference. Monday and Tues
DAY afternoons the weather was too in
clement for the President to take his daily
outing, and the time was given up to off,
cial callers.
Not many of these callers discuss public
questions of interest. They are busy hunt
ing positions for constituents, and that is
the burden of their story to the chief exec
utive. Helistens in his patient manner and
promises whatever he sees his way clear
to do. AS rule, however, the President
makes few promises, and these he fulfills
10 the letter, unless circumstances prevent.
Fur Importers Call.
Among the early callers this morning
was ex-Secretary John W. Foster. He was
accompanied by Messrs. Ullman, Jeckyl
and Well, representing the fur importers
of New York city. The importers have re-
quested President Mckinley to withhold as
long as possible his signature TO the bill
passed by Congress last week prohibiting
pelaeic sealing and the importation of seal
1urs by American citizens. A number of
importers contracted for furs in London
prior to the passage of the bill, and the
shipments have been started for this side.
should the President sign the bill before
their arrival, the importers claim that a
hardship will be worked to them, and they
Will lose heavily in financial way
All they ask is that time be given them
to fulfill their contracts. The President has
ten days in which to sign the bill. He re-
ceived the bill Monday, and has another
that the shipments will have arrived. 1t Is
probable that the President will accede to
the request.
Discussing Patronage.
Representative Gibson of Tennessee saw
the President in regard to Tennessee ap-
pointmnts. Mr.. Gibson was accompanied
by ]. w. Overall Of Liberty, Tenn. one of
the leading candidates for marshal of the
middle district of Tennessee
Mr.. Overall thinks his chances are good
for the position. John r. Latin and Luke
7. Walker are the other candidates for
the marshalship.
Representative Evans of Kentucky had
conference with the President about sew
eral matters, the district attorneyship,
a pardon case being among the number.
Mr.. Evans wants to secure the pardon of
Sam Z. Duncan, convicted some years ago
of passing counterfeit money
Representative Davidson of Kentucky was
also a caller. He was accompanied by
Major Crumbaugh. c. E. Sapp, the col
lector Of the Louisville district, was an
other kentuckian who called.
Ohio Callers.
Representatives Grosvenor, Northway and
Taylor represented the Ohio callers Mr.
Northway was accompanied by ex-Mayor
VIM. L. Fee Of Warren. Mr.. Fee is a can
didate for a consular position, and Mr..
Northway will secure place for him.
MeSSrS. Taylor and GroSvenor had minor
matters to talk over. Although the Presi-
dent enc Gen. Grosvenor are widely apart
on the subject of the civil service, their
personal relations are of the most cordial
nature. Gen. GroSvenor believes that the
republican party will be badly crippled in
the next elections if the civil service law
is not abolished. The President does not
believe this, and If he did would go ahead
in his advocacy of the principle of merit
service and in few changes in the law.
Mr.. Taylor Is from the Canton district
and is always a welcome visitor at the
White House.
Silver Senators Call.
Senators Shoup of Idaho and Warren of
Wyoming talked with the President about
offices for constituents of their states. Sen
ator Warren wants some consular repre-
sentation for Wyoming and Senator Shoup
is trying to land an Idaho man on the
interstate commerce commission. Neither
one of these senator's supposed to be in
sympathy with western republican views on
silver, has said anything to the President
antagonistic to the lions of
Secretary Gage. If they hold antagonistic
views, they have not carried them to the
President.
W. W. Thomas of Maine. recently APP
called at the White House to thank the
President, and to ascertain the Presidents
wishes on matters between the countries.
Mr.. Thomas will leave in Janury for his
mission. The appointment of Mr.. Thomas
was decided upon six months ago, but was
not made for the reason that it was de-
sired to allow Minister Ferguson to serve
longer.
Senators Fairbanks, Cullom and Burrows
were with the President for while. Sen
ator-elect Corbett of Oregon was also a
caller So was Representative Babcock.
Senator Berry and Representative Dins-
more of Arkansas had a few minutes talk
with the President.
Reduction of Aged Clerks.
The Presidents attention is to be called
to the reduction of aged clerks in the
Treasury Department, by the G. A. R. of
the District
committee composed OF MesSrS. c. T.
Yoder, Nathan Bickford, r. S. Lacy, Judge
/. G. Kimball and DIR. ]. e. Dexter has
been appointed for the purpose of laying
the matter before the President. The COM
mittee will place before the President
specific case of alleged injustice to a men,
Der of the Grand Army. The clerk Is Her.
man Forster, seventy years of age. He
was a $1,000 clerk in the office of the au-
ditor for the Navy Department Because
of his age he was reduced to $500 clerk
ship 1t will be claimed that he is a man
of fine ability and that his age has not
in the least impaired his usefulness
A New Candidate for Marshall
new candidate for the marshalship Of
the District has been placed in the field by
friends He is said to possess much strength
ard to be strongly backed. He is Mr.. Hope
Darneille disbursing officer for the District
Commissioners. Mr.. Darnelles qualifica-
tons for the position are known TO the
President.
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