The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-30

cial work, but there are still many
matters upon which his business asso-
ciates consult him by mail. Their let
tiers are, naturally, attended to by Mr..
Hobart himself. Besides these the
mornings mail brings many letters of
a purely personal and social nature,
many others that are formally official
as to contents, and still others whose
writer's solicit personal backing with
the president or the heads of govern
ment departments.
Mr.. Hobart impresses the visitor who
sees him for the first time as essen
TALLY American in type, and this inn
preston grows with each subsequent
interview. He is rather above the mid
die height, his features are almost reg
ular, his Wholesomely tinted face is
shaver clean, save on the upper lip, his
hair and long moustache are beginning
to show the gray, and his blue eyes
have the frank, direct look of a man
who has fought his own way to a high
place in life. and is neither afraid nor
arrogant. His voice is full and round.
His manner has been termed bluff. 1t
has also been characterized as suave.
1t should say it might better be spoken
of as offhand. He gives the typical
American salute with heartiness: there
is no grudging Peter Grievous touch in
ed overcordiality or careful conforma-
ton to the latest vogue. You get the
whole hand and you are made to feel
when you get it that should you have
a reasonable request to prefer, it will
be granted without any ifs and ands,
and that if it can't be granted the fact
will quickly, but inoffensively, be made
clear.
Those who meet Mr.. Hobart by spe-
cial appointment generally see him in
his office, the others are received in
the reception room opening directly off
the entrance hall. 1t is "a large, cheer
full room, which somehow suggests the
man, and is furnished with easy chairs
and lounges, which make your waitings
comfortable if you have to wait.
Sometimes, WIN there are many pres
ent, Mr.. Hobart circulates among his
callers instead of having them some
to him, to the great saving of every
ones time. On those rare occasions
when the visitors are few he is prone
to seat himself easily by VI callers side
for a short talk. and he always puts
everyone at his ease. AS a rule he is
ready for the callers at 10; this gives
just an hour to them, for he likes to
start for the capitol, to which he gen.
orally walks, at il.
Mr.. Hobart's Social Life,
Callers are occasionally received by
Mr.. Hobart at his home after the SEN
ate has adjourned for the day, but the
time between . o'clock and the dinner
hour is brief and not so many go then
as in the morning. There is no lack of
occupation, though. for the afternoon
mail has to be attended to, and often
some of the morning letters are still
unanswered. These must be disposed
Of If there iG anUfhi11o hp diSlilSaS
it is leftover letters. Besides, time for
the consideration of social matters has
somehow to be provided. That is not
always difficult, but there are days
a-plenty when it is.
Since Mr.. Morton's term it has been
supposed that social observances take
up a large portion of the vice presi-
dents time, money and energy. I'm
like some general suggestions, this one
is just now quite accurate, though Mr.,
Morton was the first vice president
who cut much of a social figure. But
Mr.. Hobart is offhand, as l have said,
while Mrs. Hobart is gracious, and both
enjoy social life immensely. The result
is such pronounced personal popularity
for both that were each week to be of
thirty instead of seven days, it would
be impossible for them to accept all the
social courtesieS rendered. AS it is,
evening in the week, except Sunday, in
tn season. The first noteworthy func-
ton given by the Hobarts in Washing
ton was a reception to all the senators,
regardless of politics, while the extra
session Of 1897 was on. Something has
been doing at the vice presidents
house at least once a week since then,
when congress has been in session.
The most important functions so far
hpnt1 10
the diplomatic corps and the dinner to
the president.
Every one of the Hobart receptions
and dinners is got up in exquisite taste,
as you have probably read from time
to time in the dispatches. The house
is always decorated profusely with
flowers, including the costly American
rose, and there is high-grade music,
the function be a dinner or a
Dances are barred, for the
reason, among others, that the house
is not properly arranged for them.
The details of the social programme
are mostly looked after by Mrs. Ho-
bart. whose punctilious observance of
all the forms and ceremonies is highly
satisfactory to the best Weshington
circles. a young woman secretary is
to look after Mrs. Hobart's
calling lists and the engagements of
necessity, and a regular social schedule
for at least a week in advance is al
ways on the vice presidents desk.
1t may be said here that were Mr..
Hobart dependent wholly upon the vice
salary for his income there
would be fewer and less delightful en-
in the Hobart mansion.
1t would be impossible to say how
much of q drain upon his private purse
;o1
far but the aggregate is surely well
into the tens of thousands.
l. D. MARSHALL.