Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-24

THE wHITE-HoUsE HERMIT.


The outburst of indignation against the
President upon the part Of Congressmen
Cooper and Grosvenor. as reported in
yesterdays papers, is not to be wondered
at. No man who has ever occupied
the White House has been 50 inacces-
sible TO callers as Mr. Cleveland. True,
he has recently said that he has "never
denied himself to any newspaper-man
who sent in his card, but the corps Of
Washington journalists only smiled at
this. How could they send In their cards
when Private-Secretary Thurber stood at
the door. like a grim sentinel and pre-
vented them from doing so?
1t is rather too late for our Washing
ton fraters TO do anything about the mat
ter now; but. If they had known the
Presidents ex-post facto position sooner
they might have pushed Thurber out OF
the way. and presented their cards to
the President in person
But not only have newspaper-men been
denied the pleasure of seeing the Presi-
dent but greater men than they have
been made 10 air their heels In the ante
room. Indeed. 1t has been with the
greatest difficulty that the average Sena-
tor or Representative has been able TO
see the President. no matter how i'm
portant his business.
An exception has been made to this
rule in favor Of few. who are regard
ed as the Presidents particular pets
but the general rule has been as stated
It has been well-nigh impossible for a
member to secure an interview with the
President.
The President largely destroyed his in
fuence and usefulness when he adopted
his seclusion policy. To this policy, more
than to any other cause is due the fail
ure OF his administration in so many re-
spects. He would have done better for
himself, better for the country. to have
shown members those courtesies which
have been usual heretofore at the White
House Instead Of this. Mr.. Cleveland
has snubbed members porsistently, and
) the result is that he has very few per
sonal friends in either house OF Con-
gress.
Mr. Cleveland should have gone along,
as other Presidents had gone, and given
audience whenever convenient TO all
members-s-enemies. as well as friends.
wen warrant that Major Mckinley will
not blunder in this respect as Cleveland
has done. McI<inley's congressional ex-
perience will stand him in good stead
there. Well he knows that no President
can be wholly independent Of Congress.
Mr.. Cleveland Is unfortunate in having
had no legislative experience. Major Nc
Kinley is fortunate in having had much.
Hence. we dare say. he will not commits
sion his private secretary to decide
whether n member shall be seen or not
BY the President.
While the country will accord Mr..
Cleveland credit for ability and good In
tentions, 1t cannot praise him much for
gratitude to mis- party. or for having made
the most OF his great opportunities to
serve the people. The main trouble with
him OF late has been that he seemed not
20 care the snap vi his finger either for
Congress or the public.
While the historian OF the future may
write Mr.. Cleveland down as distin-
xuished for many other things, he will
scarcely dare to say OF him that he was
distinguished for tact or for the amiable-
ness of his disposition.