Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-11-30
BRACINC THE CABINET.
Brand New Suspenders Sent to
Each Member.
A LONG FELT WANT SUPPLIED.

Entire Administration Council Pre-
scented With Second Pair of Braces
by an Enterprising Outhtter.
Formal Letters Of Acceptance Re-
ceived From Secretaries Hitchcock,
Wilson. Long and Others.
How the cabinet members of the ad-
minlstration were completely equipped
and fitted OUT each with brand new
suspenders is a story worth the telling.
That all classes and conditions of men
might tale unfold of unfulflled am
billions that years and years slumbered
secretly in their bosoms may pass as
an assertion that challenges contradic-
ton. The poor have their dreams of
something better in life, and it seems
the rich have theirs of unrealized aims
and ungratified comforts. Yet It may,
after all, rise to the position of a real
downright revelation to be told that
comparatively few men. no matter how
exalted their station-if indeed any
men, great or humble-go through life
with more than one set of suspenders.
This is the startling substance of the
disclosure recently made in high off,
cial circles which led an enterprising
maker Of suspenders to send to the
president and each cabinet officer spec
linens of his product for the purpose of
relieving a strain obviously Of more
significance than mere problem of
expense. According to The Mems Out
filter, the whole episode had its origin
in story which appeared in several
newspapers, as follows:
One evening after cabinet dinner some time
ago the conversation CHANGED to turn upon the
youthful ambitions Of the members. Each related
his early plans for the future and when Secretary
Wilson'S turn came the genial Iowan said: ''My
ambition has not yet been realized. l wanted to
be worth million dollars and have two good
pairs OF suspenders at the same time. As yet
have neither" The cabinet unofhcially laughed
at this frank confession, and Secretary Cage after
q minute confessed that lie had never simultane.
ously possessed two pairs OF dependable sus'
penders. Secretary Long remarked that when he
graduated from Harvard he had two pairs Of new
trousers, each with good new "galluses," but
that the experience had never responded to an en-.
core, while the now Justice McKenna said that,
pairs Of 'holdups' unknown to him all in
the same day or night. Others made similar con-
fessions, and finally Secretary Bliss, the wealthiest
man present. said, with y laugh: This seems to
be a strange coincidence. Last Saturday evening
Mrs. Bliss came into my study and said, Papa,
you going out at all this EVENING" ] replied
that did not so intend and asked the reason OF
her question. oh, nothing she replied, only II
you are not Ed (our sony wants to use your only
good suspenders!
This story drifted under the eyes of
firm of we'll known suspender manu-.
facturers, who, inspired by patriotism
and public spirit, promptly and gener-
ously relieved the situation by sending
to President Roosevelt and each men,
Der of his cabinet two pairs Of sus-
penders. That their act was appreci.
ated is proved, the above mentioned
paper says, by the receipt of the fol-
lowing Acknowledgements:
Department Of State,
Washington, Oct. Is, 1901.
Gentlemen--l have received your kind letter OF
the 22d Of October, together with the newspaper
article which accompanied it, and have read them
both with much edifcatim. Thanking you for
the material as we'll as the moral support yov
have given me, l am, very truly yours,
JOHN HAY.
Navy Department.
Washing ION, Oct. "a, 1901.
Ny Dear Sirs-I thank you very much for your
courtesy in putting me under the only suspense
that is at once comfort and support.
The suspender story . is SO good that it re.
minds one Of Josh Billings tribute to the bound
less knowledge Of men who "know SO many things
that hant co." With cordial regards, truly yours.
JOHN D. LONG.
Department Of Agriculture,
Washington, Oct. "a, 1901.
Centlemen-I have your interesting letter
garding suspenders. Stories Of this kind lose
nothing by travelling or repeated telling, but you
have it substantially correct. thank you for the
gift Of the suspenders and have doubt thef
will meet all requirements. Very truly yours,
PERSONALLY JAMES WILSON. Secretary.
Department OF the Interior,
Washington, Oct. 30, 1901.
Dear Sirs-I am directed by Secretary Hitch.
cock to acknowledge the receipt Of your letter Of
the 22d inst. and also box by express contain.
ing two pairs Of suspenders, which the secretary
will fully test in expectation that they will meet
every requirement that can properly be demanded
Of them. The secretary wishes me 10 convey to
you his thanks for your remembrance and accepts
the same in the spirit rendered. Very truly yours,
w. SCOTT SMITH, Private Secretary.
P. 81 am adding this postscript on my own
responsibility and without the authorization Of
the secretary. but which think will prove OF in
terest to you At cabinet meeting at the White
House on Friday, the 25th inst, one of the
members in humorous way mentioned the Sus.
pender subject by producing the clipping you cent
him. This brought out the fact that all the tab
met had been the recipients Of your generosity
in the way Of suspenders. Some Of the members
began joking Secretary Long, assuming the story
as narrated in your clipping was literally tnle.
and they had great deal Of fun before they got
through with him. The occasion afforded mu,'h
merriment and amusement to all the cabinet 70
we'll as to President Roosevelt, and your sus'
penders for time ovrrshadowed national matters
and affairs Of state.
W. scoTT SMITH, Private Secretary.
Office Of the Postmaster General,
Washington, Oct. rs, 1901.
Gentlemen-l have to acknowledge your letter
Of the 22d inst, together with the package con.
tanning two pairs Of your suspenders. They come
under circumstances which forbid me to decline
and render it not improper to accede to your
wishes. While the accompanying story Of the
grave cabinet deliberatioH is probably apochryphal
1t doubtless represents the true state Of the stock
in hand Of the members. I appreciate your cour-
tesy, and, judging from somewhat cursory in