The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-12
OFFICE SEEKERS AT WORK.

4Uey III HeIT ElrSI LAY at the Wn1t e
House-They Get Little Encouragement.
Men Mentioned for Representatives at
Athens and Berlin Strict Orders as to
Visitors to Coast Defense Works.
washington, Marcn o.-Nrvsu OF cne
inauguration visitors have left Wash
ington for their homes, as the limit of
excursion tickets expired today. Today
workmen were busy replacing the file
cases in the pension hall, where the
ball was held, so that the routine work
of the pension bureau may be resumed
tomorrow morning. The inaugural COM
mittee estimate the tOtal receipts will
foo up about $4,000 over and above ex-
penses. The surplus will probably be
turned over to local charities, as has
heretofore been done, and the guaran-
tee fund will be returned to the sub
scribers. The hotels are still filled with
politicians and office-seekers, and Pres
1dent Mckinley and the new cabinet
will have a busy week of it. Many
congressman who were reelected re-
main in the city, and the new members
will undoubtedly be here in full force
enarly in h week, preparatory for the
meeting of the Fifty-fifth congress in
extra session on Monoay next.
Place hunting began in real earnest
at h White house today. Most of the
sight-seerS ave left town, and thd
strangers remaining are after the
plums that h president has in his
power TO distribute. Friday and Sat
urday very few eager applicants for
positions had a hearing with Major
Mckinley about their desires These
w days were given up to c~ongratula-
ton and compliment. This morning,
however, h place seekers came to the
executive mansion prepared to talk
business. They came in force, a con-
slant stream Of them. Some carried big
bundles OF official looking papers in
their hands; others, more modest, look
ed s~uspiciOusly large about their pock-
cts. But there were a number in the
line who were there at the request OF
the president, or who came to pay their
respects, and not ITO request favors.
In a few urgent cases only did the
| president discuss appointments. He
will not be hurried, and the word has
gone out that applicants could do just
as we'll by going home for a couple Of
months before pressing their claims.
In effect, this was the idea carried
| away by a number Of those who pre-
sented their applications in person.
| Those who had been invited to the
White house alone managed to be heard
and to hear with patience.
Nine O'Clock found the upstairs cor
ridor in the public part of the mansion
pretty we'll filled with men and not 4
few women. A few minutes later, wherg
the president entered his office. he
found a score of visitors waiting his
appearance. He saw many people in
the ensuing hour, but not fast enough
to make any difference in their contin-
ually increasing number.
Right in the midst of the reception.
Secretary John Sherman appeared and
carried off the president to the bin
room. When the president returned 10
his office the crowd there, in the re-
ception corridor and in Secretary Por-
ter's room had increased largely. Mr.
Porter tried to relieve h congestion
by persona talks with those seeking
admission to the inner department. and
succeeded fairly we'll in this process 81
~fltering in the face of overwhelming
odds.
Senators and representatives and
those who came with them were more
fortunate in getting the ear of the pres
ident than those who brought writer
credentials and endorsements. The re
publican members of the Indiana
delegation in came in a body
to present the name Of w. II. Elliot
for assistant secretary of the navy.
Among the appointment JUNIORS IL
circulation is one which sends Senate
. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, to succeet