Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-09
VISITORS OFF FOR HOME
The Total Inaugural Receipts
 Will Foot Up S5,000.
PLACE HUNTERS IN EARNEST
The Assistant Postmaster-GeneraI, Better Known as the "Headsman," Walks the
 Plank Today-0therAs Assistants Remain

adSHlbS lOllf C. N.S N1~AAN4A o. AApSe S- the fnaugura ton visitors have left Wash ington for their homes as the limit of ex- cursion tickets expired today. Today workmen were busy replacing the file cases in the pension hall where the ball was held, so tkat the routine work of the pension bureau may be resumed to- morrow morning.
 The inaugural committee estimates that the total receipts will foot up about &. GOO over and above expenses. The sur plus will probably be turned over to To- cal charities as has half been done and the guarantee fund will be returned to the subscribers.
 The hotels are still filled with politicians and ofIice-seekers and President Mckin- lev and the new cabinet will have busy week of it.
 Many congressmen who were reelected remain in the city and the new members will undoubtedly be here in full force early in the week, preparatory TOT the meeting of the fifty-fifth congress III eS- tra session on Monday next
 Place-hunting began in real earnest al the White House today. Most of the slght-seers have left town and the stran- gers remaining are after the plums that the president has it in his power to dis tribute Friday and Saturday very few eager applicants for positions said any thing to Major Mckinley about their de- sire. Thsse two days were given up 10 congra tulation and compliment. This morning, however, the place seekers came to the executive mansion prepared to talk business. They came in fsrce, constant stream of them. Some carried big bundles of official-looking papers In their hands; others, more modest looked suspiciously large about the pockets. But there was number in the line who were there at the request of the presi- dent or who came to pay their respects and not to request favors.
 In few urgent cases only did the pres ident discuss appointments. He will not be hurried and the word had gone out that applicants could do just as well by going home for couple of months be- fore pressing their claims. In effect this was the idea carried away by number of those who presented 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 corri- dor in the public part of the mansion pretty we'll filled with men and not q few women A few minutes later when the president entered his office he found a score of visitors waiting his appear ance. He saw many people in the ensu- ing hour but not fast enough to make any difference in their continually in- creasing numbers.
 Right in the midst of the reception Sec retary John Sherman appeared and car ried off the president to the cabinet room. When the president returned to his office the crowd there in the reception corridor and in Secretary Porters room had in- creased largely. MT. Porter tried to re- lieve the congestion by personal talks with those seeking admission to the inner apartment and succeeded fairly well in this process of Altering in the face of overwhelming odds.
 Soma n6 pr1tq a ti1ync n6 who came with them were more fortunate in getting the ear of the president than those who brought written credentials and inducements.
 The republican members of the Penn sylvania delegation in congress came in a body to present the name of W. H. Elliott for assistant secretary of the navy. Ex-Congressman Gunther of Wisconsin, was among the long line. MT Gunther wants to be consul general to Mexico. c. H. Conger, who was a mem Der of congress from Iowa and later min ister to Brazil, put in an application for his former diplomatic post
 Among the appointment rumors in cir culation is one which sends Senator Cameron. of Pennsylvania, 10 succeed MT. Uhl as ambassador to Germany.
 The Massachusetts delegation asked the place for Representative William F. Draper, but Sena tors Quay and Penrose urged Senator Cameron's appointment, and it is stated that Gen. Daper will suc- CeeQ Minister McN eagn a Rome.
 Rear Admiral John G. Walker, who will reach the retiring age on the goth of March, is spoken of as candidate for as- sistant secretary of the navy. MT. Me Adoo in the meantime has been requested to continue to act until his successor qualities. and he has consented to do so
 A candidate for the commissionership of pensions presented himself in the per- son of ex-Congressman Pickler. of South Dakota, whose term expired March 4t1 Of f1,a fax r a nf a mi sidered by the president was that of the mission to Greece, Roumania and Servia. The term of MT. Alexander the present minister at Athens, will expire April 2, and it is the intention to nominate his successor without delay.
 George A. Flooding, of West Virginia, who is candidate for the position, called on the president this morning at the request of the latter and his chances for getting what he wants are consid- cred excellent. Another gentleman anx- ious for diplomatic preferment, who saw the president. was Gen. W. w Thomas, of Portland, Me, who came with Senator Hale. Gen. Thomas was twice the dip lomatic representative of the United States at Stockholm and is said to have been assured that he will be sent back to Sweden.
 Col John Hay was an early caller. but the president was engaged and the re- puted ambassador to England concluded not to wait.
 H. Clay Evans, of Tennessee, had a short talk with the president.
 The term of Fourth Assistant Postmas- ter General Maxwell will expire tonor- row. He was appointed March 9, 1893, to succeed D. G. Rathbone, of Ohio. The fourth assistant postmaster general has practically uncontrolled power over the fourth-class postmasters that is to say, postmasters receipts of whose offices do not amount to over $1, 900 a year. He can remove and appoint at pleasure. For this reason the officer exercising this function Is usually termed the heads man" of the administration. As the D. man for appointment to these small of- fees from congressman and others is very great and as these places serve as a sort of safety valve. to the office-seck- ing pressure, it is expected that the name of Mir. Maxwclfs successor will soon be sent into the senate.
 If the president allows the other as- sistantpostmaster generals to finish their four years term in office First Assistant Jones will remain until May 10. as he