New-York tribune., 1899-07-16

All VISITORS BARRED FROM SYCAMORE HILL
Unless THEY HAVE SPECIAL APPOINT
MEyrs-rHE GOVERNORS REPLY TO
APPLICANTS FOR COMMISSIONS.
William J. Youngs Governor Roosevelts secre-
tary came to this city from oyster Bay yesteroay
morning. and was at the Firth Avenue Hotel part
81 tho dav Regarding the meeting of the Governor
with Iieutenant- Governor Woodruff Speaker Nixon
and the State Superintendent Of Public Buildings on
Friday at the home Of Governor Roosevelt, MI
Youngs said:
s'Thc meeting was absolutely for no purpose what
ever except TO let out certain contracts In the De-
uartment OF Public Buildings and 20 arrange for the
rooms to be occupied in some of the departments
The very largely increased work OF the depart
ments during the last year and the extremely large
amount OF work which will have 10 be done In the
near future by the Board Of State Tax Commls-
sjoners rendered 1t imperative that there shoud pe
some readjustment of the room space in the 'ap-
to and of course, it is the duty Of the trustees
Of the public buildings readjust this space Inc
meeting was called at oyster Bay for the cohVeh-
ence OF the Governor and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
only and there no mystery or secrecy Oh any
kind about the matter nor was there any cohrer-
ence concerning politics or anything eise eAcep. '"e
business in hand concerning the Public Buildings
Department"
| Mr. Youngs announced that the Governor had de-
termined to receive more visitors at MS oyster
| Bay home without previous appointment, because
| he wanted more time for rest and recreation WIN
| his family. He said: Il am directed oy 'he uo'
ernor TO say that owing to the multitude OF callers
! a. soeomore Hill Oyster Bay, on every conceiva-
hs subtect Governor Roosevelt has been reluctant
lv forced 10 decline absolutely to receive anypooy
AT his residence except by written appointment
n ade by his secretary. 1t will be great saving o'
| time and trouble, therefore. for any persons VINO
have legitimate business upon which they "sh 10
] "A,
tive Department at Albany and procure an ap-
pontment card"
Many persons have been writing letters to the
Governor in the hope OF securing appointments 10
the volunteer regiments for themselves OF ior me-.
friends and Mr. Youngs said that the Governor was
sending the following letter In reply to every sucn
communication:
Nv Dear Sir: Replying to your letter OF recent
date asking to indorse your appiieatoh ,,,i 1UI
| commission permit me to say that such mutt,
tude OF requests have been made OF me thal "e.s y.
| on TO Washington and saw the War Department, M ,U
find out what action TO take There Is no use III ,h ny
giving isolated letters OF recommendation 10 ths
who happen to ask me no ma'tfr bo,gh rec
commended good men, might fall to rec9mmenu !, u sne
best accordngly tod the ,r ar Se ibrnnrh
the records OF the volunteer forces Sent Dy ,NS"
York into the late war ana TouiI ,a ed nm, who
! the best men were. The War Department, however
has notified me that nd hy ,ba WsT sT IS viii merely submit
to me the names they have chosen tor my com, ON
/ being
to do more than the War Department Is Wiling 20
have me do; and that is 70 give my JuGsmet, Jsr, ~
upon the men they select. 1t Is not necessary 10 10
sav shall nav no earthly heed to politics or any
thing else except the good Of the military service
IN nv recommenda tions The War Department has
felt that II could best eliminate politics and secure
thoroughly ft men by taking the initiative Ear aho !.
merely getting my Judgment upon me men alreaaS
! chosen and may add that | consider this couls -
eininently wise and proper have sent tnls .es'
ter to ali who have applied TO me for my lndorse
ment OF their application for commissions, re re
gretting that it Is not in my power to assist you
,t1t-
III" 'e'' "''' THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Mr. YounSs also said the Governor desired tc
make the following additional statement;
| In view of the statements made in certain morn
| ing papers | wish it distinctly understood that m.
| functions regarding the appointments from New
| York we're limited to passing upon the names SUD
! mitted to me by the War Department Inc choic'
| was exercised by the Department. Then a ilst wa
submitted to me, which | went over with AdJutant
! t;enernl Andrews Concerning half OF the men,
! could find nothing | notified the war Depart
| rnent that | could find out nothing. and knew oni!
| what the War Department records SHOW concern
| ing the other half. ! procured addltlonal lactts
! Witch I reported. There were no list men on th'
! list and accordingly | put one or two on. Asia'
| from this my function has been, as expiaiheu II
/ INV letter above absolutely limited TO giving IN
| formation concerning men chosen by the war De
! partment and a great many OF the appointments,
! were made without any consultation with me AZ all