Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-19
INTERESTING CHAP.
Thomas Beatty, Mr.. and Mrs.
Brice's Social Secretary,
Is Out Of a Job and Would Be ;
Prize for Someone.
His Profession a Queer One But He Righ,
Royalty Handles II.

Washington, May IL (SpeciaD. Nov
that Senator Brice has left public life,
with small prospect of returning, Thomas
Beatty Is locking fer job. Tom Beatty
is one Of tho most interesting characters
of Washington. He is unique. He has his
special field of usefulness, and in 1t nc
brooks no rivalry. For years he has been
the social secretary of Mr.. and Mrs. Brlce,
and right well has he served them. he
has managed all their affairs in this l1ne,
ordered the dinners, negotiated with the
musicians and artists, attended TO the Hor
lists and other decorations, selected the
wires. written the invitations, growied al
the dressmakers, and, in short, has taken
charge of the COMPLICATED business OF car
rying on an aristocrltic social estaDlish
mcat. Mir. Beatty is not only lndlspen-
sablc; he is perfection. Everything under
his charge is done to the queens taste.
He knows etiquette from the first to the
last chapter of the book and. what is Il
good deal better. is a keen student OF men
and women, especially women. His tact
and diplomacy havo aveTted many COLL
sions and suppressed numerous unpleas'
ant scenes in certain drawing rooms.
Strange Paradox.
In his own person Mr.. Beatty isa model,
young and handsome, attired as fashion
ably ard perfectly as the Prince of Wales
himself. gill, with small talk and fruitful
of compliments. Mr.. Beatty is the most
charming, most useful and best liked la
dies man in Washington. The best of 1t
is he actually possesses plenty of good
sense He recognizes that this is queer
sort of profession which he has entered up
on, and, being in it, he intends to make
the best OF il, upon the theory that acting
we'll ones part is the only thing that
brings honor. Mr.. Beatty is gallant to
probably score of pretty women every
day of his life, but such a thing as co.
quetry, Irritation, affaire or nonsense new
or enters his Level head. 1t is all matter
of business with shrewd Tom Beatty.
There has tecn some talk to the effect that
he would be employed to take charge OF
the social Affairs ut the White House, but
Secretary Porter says they are able to get
nlong without Mr. Bcatty's assistance.
Cabinet Offices.
Some one has taken tho trouble to lool,
through the records of the country and
evolve tho Interesting fact that more than
cEc-tkIrd Ct Ill the men appointed to cab
inst positions in this government have re-
signed their Offices. This proportion is
exclusive of men who have been trans
fcrretl from ore department to another
md Of those who retire with outgoing
presidents. All but one of tho presidents
have had their cabinets more or less broken
mp by deaths or designations. Though 1t
is customary for all of the members OF
the cabinet council to retire when theft
chiefs term Of Office expires, there have
been exceptions even to this rule In the
carly part of the republics history Gideon
Granger served rs postmaster general IL
years continuously is, i'll four differ
cnt presidential terms. The largest num-
her of designations has been from the Of
flee of attorney general.
1t is hoped here that one result in the
constantly increasing prominence of the
United States in Diplomatic matters will
be an improvement in the quality of the
ENJOYS sent to this capital by European
governments Until recently Washington
has been looked upon as a sort of Botany
Bay in the diplomatic world. The theory
of European foreign Offices has been that
Washington was at the foot of the ladder,
and, as u rule, diplomatists who were
promoted from secretaries to ENJOYS have
been given their first post of respon.
siblity at the American capital. The re-
suit has been that with few noteworthy ex
captions the European ministers in Wash
ington rank in ability and experience
much below the ENJOYS from South Ameri-
can and oriental nations. A the present
time the ablest members of the diplomatic
corps in this city are from South Americas
and not from Europe.
Reward For Ccui1Is
Uncle Sam is very lucky parsonage in
some things. He is able to command the
services of experts in various lines ut mis-
cradle salaries. A striking instance OF
this is found in the case of David W. Tay.
lor, naval constructor. Mr.. Taylor is con
ceded to be the best naval architect in the
world. He is so regarded not only in the
United States, but in England, France
and Germany. He is everywhere looked
up to as the highest authority and great
est genius in this line of work. 1t is he
who prepared the designs for the new bat
tleships for which congress appropriated
the sum of 81. 600, 900 for each vessel Tho
ultimate cost Of these ships, when fully
armed and ready for commission, will be
very nearly 5000 900, and the expccta
tion of the government is that the new
world, comprising the latest and most ap
proved designs and features. And the one
man whose skill and ability arc to be di
rectly responsible for the success of these
great fighting machines gives his services
to the government for the paltry sum o.
$4,000 year. A number of the best nava
contractors whom our government has
turned out have left the public service ant
gone to the Cramps or other shipbuilders
for $4,000 a year, and it is understood
that Mr.. Taylor has similar offer, which
he declines from motives of pride in his
work as designer of the new battleships.
There Is still great deal of speculation
as to the date of the passage of the tariff
bill, debate upon that very wide and i'm
portant subject being about to start up il
the senate. Perhaps the records of thu
past may help to form an estimate of tn,
time which may be required to perfec
this bill. The Dingley bill was reported
to the house March 10. 1t will be signet
by President Neutrality-suspicious. The Nc
Kinley bill was reported to the hous,
April 16, 1890. But it did not reach Pres
ident Harrison until Sept. 30. The Viii
son bill was presented to the house Dec
10, 1898, but 1t did not reach Presiden
Cleveland's hands till Aug. Is, becoming
= law Aug. % by the expiration Of thu
TINA limit Tho MaEiplay hill xyac fy.