The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-18
Mr.. Thomas Beatty'S Work
as Social Secretary.
Is Handsome and Is In cident-
ally Looking for a Job.
Recognizes That His Profession Is
aQueer One-The Tariff.

that Senator Brice has left public life,
with small prospect of returning, Thomas
Beatty is looking for job. Tom Beatty
Is one OF tho most interesting characters
of Washington. He IL unique. He has his
special field Of usefulness, and in IL he
brooks no rivalry. For years he has been
the social secretary Of Mr.. and Mrs. Brice,
and right well has he served them. He
has managed all their affairs in this line,
ordered the dinners, negotiated with the
musicians and artists, attended TO the flor
lists and other decorations, selected the
wires. written tho invitations, growled at
the drcssnnkerS, and, i'm short, has taken
charge Of the complicated business OF car
rying on an aristocratic social establish
ment. Mr.. Beatty Ia not only indispon-
sable; he is perfection. Everything under
his charge Is Gonc 10 the queens taste.
He knows etiquette from the first 10 the
last chapter OF the book and. what is a
good deal better. l. keen student of men
and women. especially women. His tact
ana diplomacy have ayerted many COLI
sions and suppressed numerous unpleas-
ant scenes in certain drawing rooms.
A Strange Paradox.
In his own person Mr.. Beatty is IN model,
young and handsome, attired as fashion
ably and perfectly as the Prince of Wales
himself, glib with small talk and fruitful
Of compliments Mr.. Beatty Is the most
charming, most useful and best liked la
dies man in Washington. The best of it
is he actually possesses plenty of good
sense. He recognizes that this IL u queer
sort of profession which he has entered up
on, and, being in IL, he intends TO make
tho best Of IL, upon the theory that acting
well ones part Is the only thing that
brings honor. Mr.. Beatty is gallant To
probably score Of pretty women every
day Of his life, but such n thing as CO.
quetry, Irritation, affaire or nonsense new
er enters his level head. 1t Is all IA matter
of business with shrcwd Tom Beatty.
There has been somo talk 90 the effect that
he would be employed To take charge of
the social affairs at the White House, but
Secretary Porter says they are able 10 get
along without Mr. Beatty's assistance.
Cabinet Offices.
Some one hos taken the trouble TO look
through the records Of the country and
evolve the interesting fact that more than
ono-thlrd Of al the men appointed TO cab
met positions in this government have re-
signed their offices. This proportion Is
exclusive OF men who have been trans
ferred from one department TO another
and Of those who retire with outgoing
presidents. All but one of the presidents
havo had their cabinets more or less broken
up by deaths or designations. Though it
is customary for all OF the members Of
the cabinet council 10 retire when their
chiefs term Of Office expires, there have
been exceptions even 10 this rule. In the
early part W ho rcpublic's history Gideon
Granger served Cs postmaster general l3
years con:inUously-tha is, in four differ
ont prCsiden' III terms. The largest num-
ber Of designations has been from the Of
flee of attorney general.
1t is hoped Ecrc that one result In the
constantly Increasing prominence of the
United States in Diplomatic matters will
be an imprOy omont in the quality of the
ENJOYS sent 10 this capital by European
governments. Until recently Washington
has been looked upon as a sort Of Botany
Bay in the diplomatic world. The theory
of European foreign offices has been that
Washington was at the foot Of the ladder,
and, as "a rule, dipomatists who were
promoted from secretaries TO ENJOYS have
been given their first post of respon-
sibility at the American capital. The re-
suit has been that with few noteworthy ex-
ceptions the European ministers in Wash
ington rank In ability and experience
much below the ENJOYS from South Ameri-
can and oriental nations At the present
time the ablest members Of the diplomatic
corps in this city are from South Americas
and not from Europe.
Reward For Genius.
Uncle Sam Is a very lucky parsonage in
some things He ia able To command the
services of experts in various lines at mis-
erable salaries. a striking instance of
this Is found in the case of David w. Tay-
lor, naval constructor. MIR. Taylor is con-
oedcd TO Inc the best naval architect in the
world. He is so regarded not only in the
United States, but In England, France
and Germany. He Is everywhere looked
up To as the highest authority and great
est genius In this line Of work. IL Is ho
who prepared the designs for the new bat
tleshps for which congress appropriated
the sum of 81 000, 900 for each vessel The
ultimate cost of these ships, when fully
armed and ready for commission, will he
very nearly So, 900, 900, and the expecta-
ton Of the government Is that the new
craft will be the finest bnttleships in the
world, comprising the latest and most mp
proved designs and features. And the one
man whose skill and ability are to be di
rectly responsible for the success of these
great lighting machines gives his services
TO the government for the paltry sum Of
81, 200 year. number of the best naval
contractors whom our government has
turned out have left the public service and
gone To the Cramps or other shipbuilders
for $40, 600 a year, and IL is understood
that Mr.. Taylor has similar offer, which
he declines from motives of pride In his
work as designer of the new battleships.
There Is still n great deal Of speculation
as To the date Of the passage Of the tariff
bill. debate upon that very wide and inn
portant subject Icing about TO start up In
the senate. Perhaps the records Of the
past may help 10 form an estimate Of the
time which may be required 70 perfect
this bill. The ningley bill was reported
20 the house March 10. IL will be signed
by President Mckinley--whenf The Nc
kinlcy bill was reported To the house
April 10, 1880. But 10 did not reach Pres
ident Harrison until sept. 80. The Will