The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-09-14
THE PRESIDENTS VALET.
Cos Angeles TimesA

,
James Neill. the actor man, is al
ways well groomed. and no wonder.
He has the valet that once pressed the
creaseS in President AIcKinley's trou-
sers. The trained eye. the soft voice,
the deft hand, the thousand and one
little tricks of a skilled man" have
been transferred from the service of
William Mckinley to James Neill.
When Mckinley was governor of
Ohio, z. L. Brent was his valet Brent
has been playing a small part, in the
piece Arlstocarcy" that the NeilIs re-
Gently produced In that play he came
on at various moments as Neili's stage
that IN real life as Neills actual
He joined the actor four years ago.
leaving McKinley's service to become
the actors valet.
de is negro of the mulatto type,
good looking, about 80 years old, and
as sort spoken as a grande dame. He
has manner that is irreproachable.
What kind of man is Mckinley in
his private fife-to mis- vaIet?'' I asked
Brent.
"A perfect gentleman" he replied.
Il worked for him in somewhat con-
hdentiaf capacity in Canton, O., and
he was always the finest OF men to do
a Wallets work for. I combined the du-
ties of messenger and second valet for
Mr.. Mckinley"
What was your daily programme of
work for Mckinley
began the day by preparing his
bath, and then his shaving apparatus.
His valet always shaves the president.
VI course, 1 laid out his clothes, his
shlrts, studs, linen and neCkwear- The
president never knows from one day
to another what he will wear. His
valet always attends TO that. Mr. Neill,
for instance, never pays the slightest
attention to his clothes [ lay them
out for him, select the suit for each
day and the tie that goes with it.
w men ne needs new suit. I select the
goods, with his cooperation occasion
ally, sometimes without OF course il
was the same way with Mr.. Mckinley
Inc presidents valet lays out all
the mail that comes to the house. All
the morning papers are arranged for
the presidents reading. Mr.. Mckinley
is great man to read the paper. He
takes all of the more prominent daiiies
ana some of the weeklies, and glances
through a score of them every day
After breakfast the presidents man
is apt to attend to number of trifiiny
purchases, or any errandS that may be
suggested. he remains on duty until
about or O'Clock. OF course he ar
ranges MIR. McKinley's wardrobe for
any evening function that may be on
the programme. He is always within
easy call by the president. The valet
Goes not sleep in the presidential man
sion He has a room of his own else
where.
mir. Mckinley, while always cheer
1ul and pleasant with his servants
never becomes confidential or laxative
With even his most confidential servant
the valet In his position he could
not or course. He remains the same
IN the privacy of his bedchamber. while
in the Wallets hands being shaved and
dressed, just as though he were in a
company Of people.
The average valet is entrusted with
his masters money and has many 9TH
err responsibilities and condolences that
require him to be a man who can be
depended upon.
Il have carried hundreds of dollars
Tor the men whose valet have been.
The president is an easy man to
shave. His face is not tender. He eats
usually. several soft-boiled eggs for
breakfast, with toast. a chop, fruit.
chocolate, and occasionally an oyster
cocktail He is an inveterate smoker.
His valet always buys his cigars
do not suppose you care to know lust
what brand he smokes. 1t is an i'm
ported Havana cigar, quite strong. He
smoked many of these in a day when
1 was in his service
The position of valet to such a man
as Mr.. Mckinley is much sought after
and is priced. What does an average
valet receive? Mr.. McKinley's valet
gets about $40 MONTH