The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-03-17
President Besieged by Them To-
day in Great Numbers.
THEY BEGAN TO COME EARLY
Ex-President Ha PRISONS Call Upon
the New Executive-Co Cordial Greet
tngs Interchanged-No Political
Significance Attached to the Visit.
Mr.. Miller on an Errand of Mercy.

shadow OF the Sierras, deferred the rush
OF officeseekers on the White House today y
In fact, the habitat of the President
was one of the few places in the city
where the physical prowess of the gIadia-
tors was not discussed, and all save poll
sics was for the nonce forgotten in the
ma d chase for office.
The President rested well last night, and
arose this morning, well fortified for the
fray. Owing to the fact thatneither branch
of Congress was in session, many more Sen
ators and Representatives called upon
the President than on any other day since
his induction into office. Long before IO
o clock the callers had gathered before the
portals that guard the approach to the Pres
idents private office.
Secretary Porter was at his wits ends
to know how to manage the great crowd.
Congressman came with friends and con.
siituents, all anxious TO see the President t.
The chronic officeseekers, who have in
tested the White House for the past ten
days, were very much in evidence, and
thronged the lobbies and ante-roOms OF
the mansion while waiting to be Jshered
into Mr.. McKinley's presence
Senator Billy Mason, who was again
caller upon the President today, cazed
in great establishment on the crowd and
remarked that more people saw the Presf
dent today between the hours Gf 10 and
IL O'Clock than at any other time since
his Inauguration. As the Illinois Senator
has been a ''daily" visitor at the White
House this statement ought to be author
itatiye.
EXPresidcnt Benjamin Harrison was one
of the first ''notabIes' to call upon Mr.. Nc
kinley shortly after he had entered his
office. Mr.. Harrison, accompanied by for
mer Attorney General William H. II Mil
Ter, drove from the Arlington To the White
House shortly after 10 O'Clock.
They were ushered into the Presidents s
private office. Mr.. Mckinley received Mr..
Harrison and his former Cabinet officer
with great cordiality and expressed much
delight at their visit. They remained with
the President several minutes, after which
Gen. Harrison entered his carriage and
drove away. To Times reporter who
questioned him just as he was leaving
the White House he said
My visit to the President was simply for
the purpose OF paying my respects and had
no political Significance. | am neither
looking for, nor do l desire, an office.
Politics were not discussed during ny
interview with Mai. Mckinley, except IN
a general way"
Questioned in regard to his presence in
Washington at this time, Gen Harrison
saId: Il have come on to argue a case he
fore the Supreme Court, and Will leave for
indianapolis tonight. My visit here Las
been most enjoyable, as 1t has given me an
opportunity to renew Il number OF ac-
qUaintances that l formed during my resi-
dence in Washington"
Gen. Harrison seemed in excellent health
and spirits, and Willie he refused To discuss
politics, said he had no doubt that pros
perity would follow the passage of a Lew
tariff law
Gen. Miler's visit upon the President, it
is said. was for the purpose of interced-
ing for Francis Coffin, the Indianapolis
ban k wreckpr. whom he desire TO have par
tloncd It is known that Mr.. Miller made
several Intellectual efforts to secure Cor
fins release during Mr.. CIeveland's admin
iStTatiOn. but now hopes To have Mckinley
gram; the desired relief
who desires to be appointed minister To
Norway and Sweden, again called upon the
President today. Another caller was eX-
GOV. Romualdo Pacheco, of California, who
was minister to Mexico during President
Grants term of office. Gov. Pacheco now
desires to obtain the Brazilian mission.
Hon. Charles Woodman, who formerly
represented Frank La awler's Chicago dis
trict IN Congress, called to urge his APP
pointment as consul general to Cuba.
Woodman is anxious to succeed Fitz Lee
at Havana, buvbeiieves that on account of
his pronounced hostility to the Spaniartls
he would not be an acceptable representa-
tive to that government In case he
cannot obtain this position Mr.. Woodman
said, he~is willing to accept position
in the revenue marine service, in which
he served for seven years.
A special meeting Of the Cabinet was
held immediately after Mr.. Woodman had
departed from the President office.
Among the members Of the Presidents
Official family who were present were
Secretaries Sherman, Gage, Long, and
Attorney General McKenna. While nothing
was divul ged as to what took place
during the conference, it is believed that
the meeting was called for the purpose OF
the appointments of the assistant
secretaries of the various departments.
The special Cabinet meeting lasted for over
an hour, during which time President Nc
K inley denied himself to all visitors.
A committee OF the Union Veterans As
OF ryIand called to invite the
to be present at the annual BAN
quet of the order, which Will be held in
Baltimore on April next. The committee
that came on to Washington for this pur-
pose was composed OF Dr. George R. Gra-
ham, Capt. Noble Fl. Crager, Capt. John r.
King and Capt. Horace Noble. President
Nick inley promised the committee that he
would attend the banquet il his official du-
lies permitted.
Secretary Aiger, Gen. Miles, Senator
Ia wiley and Col. Wilson have accepted in
vtations to be present, and it is likely that
.he other Cabinet officials will attend.
Some others who called, but were unsuc-
,essful in seeing the President, were
Northway of Ohio, Repre-
,entatives Hepburn and Henderson of Iowa,
Tawney of Minnesota, Hon.
W. A. Stone of Pennsylvania, Senators
Burrows and Spooner of Michigan Repre-
sentative Curtis of Kansas, Senator Billy
Mason, Representative Gibson OF 1ennen-
zee and Representative Murray of South
arolina.
John Russell Young, former minister
10 China, called in order to let the Presi- |
lent know that his old mission would he |
ceatable. Others who visited the White |
iodso during the morning were Represen- |
alive Bingham. Senator Roger G. Mills. |
:. e Hilbourn, of California, who was |