The National tribune., 1897-03-18
'KINLEY'SBUSYWEEK
Events Crowd Each Other at The Great
White Mansion.

President Mckinley's first full week in the
White House was busy one. indeed. The
Mansion was filled with callers from morn to
eve. The President had scarcely moments
rest. Many of the visitors came from dis-
tance. who simply wished to grasp the haia OF
the new Executive before returning 10 thelr
homes Several times to crafty their wishes,
the President took his place in the East Room
and told the ushers to admit the people. Proba-
bly 600 or 5000 passed through, shaking
hands with the President and going away
seemingly highly eratifed at the privilege.
Secretary to the President Porter was kept
busy receiving callers and making appoint
rnents for interviews with the President for
those whose business required it, and others
who had called simply as a matter of respect.
OF this latter class both the President and MIR.
Porter made all possible effort to comply with
their wishes.
Secretary Porter has already discovered sew
eral new methods of expediting business at the
White House, and among them is the plan of
admitting number OF persons to Mr.. Mckin-
ley's room at the same time, so that each will
endeavor to hasten the departure OF the others.
He applies this when, after a careful survey of
the crowd. he has determined that il is made
up almost entirely o; oiiice-seekers, and the re-
suits so far have been particularly satisfactory.
This plan of hasteuing visitors through works
admirably.
There is an absence of that terrible exclusive
ness that. during Cleveands incumbency, per-
vaded the White House from the kitchen to
the Presidents office. The frowning, bump
tious Thu.bcr is gone, many hope to return no
more, and in his place is tactful polite yet
firm individual. who is already being congrat-
ulatcd for his management
One OF the events of the week was the at
tendance at church of President Mckinley and
his family at the Metropolitan Methodist Epis-
a tnri xufa rrt lyan Inn tod
TO get peep at the President also attended
the same church.
The President drove down from the White
House with his mother and Gen. Osborn.
There WAS double file of policemen, under
Lieut.. Kelly, of the Sixth Arecinct, at the door,
and these opened the way for the party, which
entered the church. President Mckinley sup.
porting his mother on his arm, and Gen. Osborn
following. A pew had been reserved near the
trout Of the church, and in this with the FRESH
dents party was Secretary J. Addison Porter
and Mrs. Porter.
The presidential party remained till the
singing of the final hymn, at the last verse of
which they arose and, preceded by two ushcrs
left the auditorium and were driven back to
the White House.
The Cabinet meeting took place Tuesday of
last week. All the members were present. but
no business was transacted. The discussion
was informal and related to the general man.
agement of the Departments. The members of
the Cabinet were not yet sufficiently familiar
with their duties 10 be able To make any recon-
mendations
ID WAS amusing TO see the behavior of many
who call. Every now and then the door of
Mr.. Porters Office would be opened TO permit
the exit or entrance of some person, and those
on the outside would gaze at the interior as if
they were looking On the promised land. But
the crowd In Mr. PorteIs Office we're only one
step nearer the President than those outside,
and they were doing their share of gazing also
whenever the door leading TO Dir. Mckinley's
Office was opened.
When Mr.. Hanna called he was a subject of
moro than usual interest. Hosts of Senators
and Representatives called to press the claims
of candidates for foreign service and Assistant
Secretaries. There are hundreds of applicants
for Consuates. District Attorneyships, Mar
shalships. Customs and Revenue appointments.
but it is understood the President will not fiji
most of these Offices until the Tariff bill is well
under way.
President Mckinley will have the disposal of
Jog Presidential postoffices which Mr. Ceve-
land had figured on for the outgoing Admins
fration, and for which his selection of Post
masters had been announced. These represent
the postofce nominations made by Mr.. Clere-
land during the short session of Congress and
which the Senate failed TO confirm. In ad-
dition to these there are eight postofices is
firmed. but too late for the official notification
10 reach the Postoffice Department
President and Mrs Mckinley are not pleased
ut the rumors that have been circulated in the
papers concerning Mrs. McKinley's health.
While she is in no sense robust, she is fully
capable OF acting the part of the :" first lady of
the land" as the experiences Of the past two
weeks have proved. Almost every lay there has
been quiet morning reception held by Mrs Nc
Kinley, who received those who are in the city
and desire 10 see her before returning home.
of course the ofiice-seekers have been the
most numerous OF the callers and they deserve
special mention.
Some knowing ones estimated that at least
oDe-bfth tue persons who attended the Inaugu-
ration came to Washington with aspirations
for ofiicc. II would be impossible to measure
the bushels of offce-begging letters which have
loaded down the mail of Mr. Mckinley, and
most of which, according to current gossip. ne
lett behind him at Canton. The army OF office
seekers descended in a horde upon the city,
fhe ffesident-elect had scarcely shut the outer
door OF ms apartments at the Ebbitt on arrival
before persons with axes TO grind were AT the
botei counter with requests to have their cards
sent up. Hosts of men avowed openly their
wish for places in the Diplomatic and Consular
service-more than would fill every position of
this character under the Government 1t is be-
Iiered Msj- Mckinley has made no rash prom
Uses When Blaine was running for President a
1Sei, he and his confidential advisers promised
three times as many Offices as the President
had 10 give. At that time, aso the Civil Sery-
ice Law was comparatively limited in its scope
But Maj. Mckinley showed his discretion by
absolutely abstaining from ante-election
pledges. Not one in a Thousand of them can
possibly be gratified if the Civil Service regu-
latiohs as at present existing are permitted to
STAND. Lois of men will cool their heels for
months to come and go away realizing that
simple duty done for party aud principle does
MOT qualify one for political plum.
WEEK In WASHINGTON.