Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-04-02
LITTLE RED TAPE.
A Very Accessible Administration. But Can't
Recollect All Faces Il Ever Saw.


TO note and comment upon the marked
contrast between the attitude of Presi-
dent Mckinley toward the public and
that of his predecessor. The members OF
his cabinet seem to take kindly to the
Presidents ideas respecting accessibility.
Three members of the cabinet have
shown surprising but pleasing disregard
for time-honored custom. They are not
bound down by official prejudice, but dc
what they want without regard for red
tape. When Secretary Gage wants to see
one of his subordinates he is as likely as
not to dispense with the services of a
messenger in summoning the person
needed, and to walk into his office with
out warning.
Wilson are following the same plan. Mr.
Gary frequently answers calls on th5
telephone, and Mr.. Wilson will take a
visitor through the agricultural depart
ment's Conservatives and explain the
varieties of rare plants that are in the
horticultural collection.
The reputation Mr.. Sherman had for
exclusiveness while in the Senate Is not
rotary of state. Mr.. Sherman has fol-
lowed the example of the late Secretary
Gresham in throwing open the doors OF
his office to all who have business with
him. OF course. as with the other mem
bers of the cabinet, there are certain
specified hours when the secretary Is not
accessible. but liberal time is allowed all
who desire to see him.
Secretary Gage Is much the same. and
he frequently comes out into the Office OF
his private secretary Vanderbilt which
is used as waiting room, to expedite the
business of callers.
ATTORNEY General McKenna Is a hard
worker. but his duties at the supreme
court and other demands on his time dc
those who desire to see him. The many
delegations that have called are always
courteously received. and find the attor-
ney general is an attentive listener.
&c, .J..ax- or IN, Org Sr dnf r.
corning the naval service does not con-
sumo SO much time that Secretary Long
cannot be reached by the many who have
gone to the navy department on public
matters. The secretary is easy to reach
and leaves an agreeable impression upon
his callers. General Alger. like Mr.. Long,
is assiduously studying the methods OF
the military branch of the government.
He is always genial and approachable
and gives patient hearings to the import
innate ones.
The habits of the business man stick to
Mr. Bliss. He is at his desk in the inte-
rior department early and manages to
transact large amount of business dur
ing the day. If it Were not for the ONCE
seekers, Mr.. Bliss would go ahead in his
customary way, conducting his depart
ment as he does his private business.
But the office-seekers have no cause to
complain. They are given liberal sh IRE
of the secretary's time and no dissatis-
faction has been displayed over the man
ner in which an eastern man dfsposes OF
matters that largely concern the western
country.
The nearness of Mr.. Gary's legal resi-
dence to Washington has brought upon
him its penalty. At no other department
are there so many visitors anxious TO see
its chief. His office is thronged every
day with crowds of persons who want
positions under the postoftice depart
ment. Mr.. Gary sees all who come. rs
tens carefully and patiently to each Wis
tor. and altogether. is making himself
very popular among those who think the
administration owes them something.
a very simple man in his habits is M
Wilson, the secretary of agriculture. II
is conscientious in learning all that can
be learned about the agricultural depart,
ment, and, as a result, works nara ana
long. His visitors find him plain ana
straightforward, and to the high and low
he is accessible most of the time.
A few days ago tall. lank man with
long hair and ,highwater' trousers
walked up Pennsylvania avenue WITH
rapid strides. carrying well-stuffed
handbag, made literally out of pieces OF
Brussels carpet evidently sewed together
in one of the departments who had
known him. and from the clerk | learn
this story. The stranger was man or
considerable prominence IN small toWn
Of southwestern Ohio: he had been thrifty
and in a small business way had acquired
considerable means. He knew almost
nothing, however, of the great world.
After exchanging cordial saiutauonss TN, ane
ton. and the stranger responded: Turn
around and walk up the road with me
arp1 I'll tell you; but am In such hurry
that / can't stop a minute. l am gong
right to see the major. -.
The young man tried to persuade the
elder to go into one of the hotels ana
leave his satchel and perhaps release hea a
quired in the long railroad ride But 20
all these suggestions the stranger SAID
that he was in great hurry ana mus,
,,re,f a
a talk with the ma jor about appointing
a Young man of his acquaintance to va
cancy in the corps Of bank examiners.
After much persuasion. n nov e,;eit me te
leave his carpet bag at the RIGGS house,
while he himself hurried on to the Exec
utive Mansion. About an hour later ne
cast down. This was his report: Il
couldn't see the major-and it was a
black man that kept me away; all that l
could get out Of nim was tha II was tGS
the .nigger' how well 1 knew the major
It seemed to make no difference. ana !
was told to come back tomorrow. But
ter disappointment still. The next morn
ing he went to the White House and just
az he was about to go In the door, VINO
walked out but the pEesau ai niisi for
him. The old gentleman was almost
heartbroken when he related that: 'rhe
ma Tor walked right Dy me-Wltnlii three
iceland never even spoke to me-.
Glow well do you know him?' was
asked. ,
.I should think he ought to know me
pretty well. When he spoke in our town
IN the campaign of 1888 he came nome
u:tfl me and stayed over night and
sta red to breakfast the next morning.
We chatted about everything; ana ne
was as pleasant as could be. and felt as
If I knew him real we'll 1t was on ac-
count Of my telling 'em how well L knew
him that the friends of the young fellow
who wants to be bank examiner got me
TO come on to see about 1t. Despite TINS
defeat hope continued to spring eternal
in the strangers soul. and he conSolec
himself with the reflection that the name
of their old acquaintance would wax
warm again as soon as he could tell the
major who he was. here asaii NC me-
a third and final fall. so. .,o roxt
The old gentleman succeeded lne next
time in getting into the White House ana
finding the major at home, ana also IN
i.eing there on one. Of those occasion,
wen the Office door is thrown open . ana
ali he waiting assembly are permitted
r. ro IN. Finally his turn came TO grasp
the Presidents hand and to tell ms stoIv.
When the staying-over,nigh and break
East III incident was recalled the President
tI<S1 nnnrnVinQJV.