Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-05-27

perhaps a dozen or two are found worthy
of his special attention, and these are on
his desk for his perusal. He also finds
lot of docsments ready for his signature.
These disposed of, he talks for a few mo-
ments with the private secretary about
the business of the day, and by that time
the great American public is clamoring
to be turned in on him. At 10 o'clock the
raid begins. The waiting room is study
at this time. There are legless and arm
less veterans, in faded blouse of blue"
and in the nattiest of spring attire, but
the bit of bronze button ON the lapel of
each is often associated with tiny knot
of ribbon, which means a medal of hon
or" man. There are cranks who have
inventions that they want the President
to see and recommend. There are other
cranks who have presents for the Presi-
dent, which they desire to present in per-
son. There are myriads of curious peo-
pie who want to shake hands with the
President in his own office, instead OF
performing that ceremony down stairs in
the East room, as they would have an OPP
portunity to do each afternoon. The
women have schemes all their own. 1t
is not often that they are after Office,
though some women who want postofices
prejudice their chances by coming to make
a special plea of the President, because
they are women" Many of them have
sons whom they want appointed to cadet
ships at West Point or Annapolis. Doz-
ems of them have schemes for raising
money, which they are sure will go like
hot cakes if the President will just in
dorse them. Others work the charity
racket. They have concerts, or fairs, or
plays, or something equally as frivolous,
which they desire the President and his
wife to patron" with their names.
Lcrions of Office-Scckers.
Among the walters will be found AS
pirants for foreign consulships and the
under Offices, those who are seeking pre-
ferment in this country, and those who
come to give timely protest against GER
tain appointments. Each and every one
of them has an AK to grind and they use
the Presidents nerves for a grindstone
This Senator has candidate for berth
abroad, and he rings the changes on his
right to have this appointment, day in
and day out day after day, while his col
league, who is at his heels, urges some
other man with just as much persistency
for the very same place. Here is po-
litical boss who wants to "place" one
of his lieutenants in political work. He
talks and argues and all but tries to brow
beat the President into appointing the
ward heeler. There is an all-around good
fellow, who has friends everywhere, to
all of whom he feels under obligation,
and he comes in with pockets and hands
filed with recommendations for half a
dozen or more. He urges the claims of
each, and in effect tells the President
that his place in the House or Senate, as
the case may be, depends upon his getting
just these particular Offices. For two long
hours this sort Of thing keeps up, the
President listening, always listening, new
er talking much, except to ask few point
ed questions, and then at noon the COM
mon herd 10 gun through into the secre-
tary's room, and from there IL cut out In
lunches and corraled in the Presidents
room, where he gives few moments to
each. This 10 perhaps the most trying
hour Of all.
Among the cranks who slip IN Ut such
times are women who are ''slaving them
selves to death to pay of the mortgage on
the homestead" 90 they inform the Preei-
dent, and they have come 70 him, - hs 70
rich, because he draws such IN enormous
salary, md ask him to give them hun
dred dollars, q fifty, or Ave, - the cass
may b, toward that desirable end Others
want him - indorse notes for them. 1ne