Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-11-25

place IN the department of state for
more than half a century. Mr.. Bartle
grew up in an environment that inspired
patriotism, and as a boy acquired a love
lof MS country, an admiration for it's IA
thefs that neNe r LETT him. No one ever
nad a greater respect for patriotic tradl-
TONS.
Ills pride was the great seal of the
United States. Which, was entrusted to
ms care III 1852, for. although the secre-
tafE or state is the legal custodian of the
seal, lie must of necessity delegate it's
care to II of his s~ubordinates. and in
the 46 years Mr.. Barile had charge of it
many secretaries have come and gone.
Formerly this seal was affixed to all
commissions given by the government
but as the business of the various offices
increased it was found inpracticable to
place 1t upon all documents of this char
acter. and it is now only used on the
commissions of the presidents cabinet,
diplomatic and consular officers nomin-
ated by the president and confirmed by
the senate, all ceremoniouS communion
TONS from the president to foreign gov
efhments, pardons, communications of sem
.ehce py the executive. cXeQuaturs, eX-
tradition warrants upon other countries
and commissions of civil officers ap-
pointed by the president. whose commits
slons are not signed under a different
seal. 1t will be readily seen that plac-
ing the seal upon these state papers fur
nlsi1ed It's venerable custodian abundant
occupation, and besides this office he
made, in a hand that could hardly be
distinguished from copper plate, MANY
of the commissions to which it was af-
liked. the beauty and accuracy of which
never failed to elicit words of admira-
ton from the presidents who signed
them, from Polk to Mckinley.
Since the foundation OF the govern
ment there have been three different
seals used. The one now employed was
made by Tiffany some ten years ago. and
is kept, with it's die and press, in a
strong wooden box, the keys of which
are deposited in another strong box, Of
which Mr.. Bartle himself invariably
carried the key. With so much unlock
ing to do it was, Of course, no little
trouble to produce the seal, but it's
Keeper was always pleased to exhibit his
treasure, and never objected. no matter
how many times a day he was requested
to show 1t to strangers. Now and then
he would make an impression of it with
much parade and circumstance, which,
after being passed around among the
visitors. was returned to Bartle. who
carefully and tremendously tore it into
the finest possible pieces before deposit
ing it in the waste paper basket.
Mr.. Bartle knew Webster well and had
the honor, as did SO many Of that great
mans friends, Of being his creditor, but.
more fortunate than many received back
the loan in full.
Have you any money with you, Bar
tle?' asked Mr.. Webster, at that time
secretary of state, one day abruptly.
mo, SIR" promptly replied his
clerk, knowing the idiosyncrasies of his
chief.
Have you got any at home, then?' de-
manded his chief.
Yes, a little" responded Bartle, eau
tiously.
Have you got as much as s1OO?''
queried the great man further.
Yes. sir" the answer was given re-
luctantly.
"Then bring it to me at once" ordered
the secretary.
The money was sOOn in Mr.. Webster's
hands, n several weeks after, prompt
ly on demand, was repaid, much to the
surprise Of the lender. who looked upon
it as gone forever.
Mr.. Bartle had q warm admiration for
President Jackson's many sterling quail
ties. and told q number of stories of that
rather eccentric president. On one occa-
sion a certain landlady, unable to collect
a long bill from one of her boarders, a
young sprig of fashion employed in one