BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-10-29
NEW PRESIDENTS MANNER
Impression Made On Callers
ByMr Roosevelt.


Theodore Roosevelt has been President Of
the United States long enough to have made
a distinct impression on the public men who
make up what is vaguely termed Washinton
sentiment. Ths question on everybody's |
lips is: 'sWhat kind Of President is Roose. |
velt going to makeW Enough persons
have been to see him. from Senators and
other party leaders down to the most trivial
callers, and he has said enough in response
to their varied requests, to furnish the data
by which all interested observers may make
their own predictions according to their
individual standards of political expediency
and public duty.
No one can 90 to the White House on any
business day without realizing the terrible
strain to which we subject President of
the United States. Even though Congress
is not now in session, and the building is
theoretically closed in mourning for the late
President, the public corridors of the second
story have much the appearance of steam
ship wharf on a sailing day. The space
reserved for waiting room purposes is literally
packed; there is hardly standing room.
Official Secretary Cortelyou, personal Sec
retary Loeb, and clerical Secretary Pruden
are constantly besought by anxious groups
to procure an audience with the President.
Capt. Loeflier, the Presidents doorkeeper,
who admits without challenge personages OF
recognized Importance like Cabinet officers
and well known Senators, is kept busy
lswinging open the door into the Cabinet
room. When one considers the numbers Of
a Presidents callers, and the diversity Of
their business, one may well believe, In
thinking of his duties, that "being. talked to
death must be terrible death to die"
That the Presidency is an Office in which
a man must submit to endless importantly
is the experience of every recent occupant.
Gen. Harrison told the friends who inquired
concerning his willingness to be candidate
in 1896, that he should dread to have to go
through again the terrible ordeal of graphing
entanglements and listening to the appeals
for patronage. President Cleveland, In his
second term, issued a notice to the effect
that he would not receive opportunities for
Office, but that all preliminary discussion
must be had with the Cabinet officers in
whose departments the positions respectively
came. President Mckinley, as was often
noted possessed an almost magical faculty
: for sspassing people along" and yet doing il
graciously. Still the office wore heavily on
him, and left his constitution somewhat
weakened.
President Roosevelt, it is acknowledged
J has not yet acquired the Mckinley art o
taking these troubles easily. While perfectly
good natured and cordial to all his visit
ors, he bears quiet evidence of being freight
; fully bored but the Office brokers and tellt
those who come to see him on matters o.
public policy how glad be is to have the
patronage harangue occasionally interrupted
OF course everything that Presden
says to his callers is repeated to somebody
and tends to travel rapidly; when he tell
the bearer of ststesmanlike message thai
he welcomes such an oasis, the virtu0us maj
loses NO time in letting it get around to tn,
pIaSO. hunters shot their visits :-re less vel
coined than bis own. Already there is some
, feeling among the politicians that they ar
: suffering slight a0hen their errands relate
to Office. Some of the Presidents jOculal
remarks at such times have been quoted
afterwards as coming 3 little too near th'
/ truth to be wholly enjoyed, Two Senator
! were pressing him closely in regard to patro
mage the other day, and thought they ba(
abolt made their point, when the Preslden
l with wave of the hand, invited into th
!. conversation third man, before whom the
i could not talk, saying in a jesting way TIA
: he wanted to get little respite from thei
opportunities. His humOr, for some reason
$ they did not wholly like, and they wen
away questioning whether he would be
real success as President.
Another thing with which the politician
. find fault is taat Mr.. Roosevelt talks to-
5 loud and does not give them much opport
unity for privacy. He receives great man.
callers in bis large room at one time, listen
ing to them in groups, or one by one a
they get around to him; in this sort of con
ference, much that he says can be overheard
by the others present. as was his home tbrus