Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-11-21
ROOSEVELT ABRUPT.
Senators and Congressman Who
Seek 0fices Turned Down.
BIG CROWDS OF OFrICESEEKERS.
4hs President Opposed to Appointing New
Men to Places Where Incumbsnts Have
Proved Msritortous and May Make
Many Enemies.

Washington, Nov. 18.-Obserying
politicians In Washington are wonder
ing how President Roosevelt will get
along with congress. Mr.. Mckinley
was courteous, obliging and concilia-
tory in his attitude towards senators
and representatives who called on him
with applications for appointments.
While many Of them did not get what
they wanted, they left the white
house feeling kindly towards the
president. Mr.. Roosevelt Is exactly
the opposite. He turns down mem
bcrs of congress right and left and ID
often brusque and abrupt in his re-
fusal to make appointments. Even
the dignity of the United States SUI
preme court does not appeal to him,
for when an associate justice Of the
court called upon him to say word
for a young candidate for q consult
ship the president replied emphati-
|cully and in tones which were heard
by several persons in the ante-room:
"Mr. Justice, will not do it, but"
lgrasping the Justices hand-"I i'm
VERY glad to have seen you and hope
you will call again" With that he
walked hastily to window where a
caller was waiting and asked his bust.
ness. 1t Is believed the president will
make many enemies in congress by
Ibis apparent lack of cordially.
The large ante-room adjoining the
presidents office has been crowded
Ifor several hours each day for several
weeks with those who wanted to see
the president. In the majority OF
leases the visitors want offices, either
lfor themselves or their friends. Near
Ily every senator and representative
,lwho has called upon the president
has had some recommendation for Of.
fee to make. Hundreds OF personi
:. have told Mr.. Roosevelt that Presi
= dent Mckinley promised them thu
!, md so, and they ask him to do fol
= them as Mr.. Mckinley would have
!. dome. President Roosevelt adopted
the rule some time ago, and told hi
visitors so in plain words, that HI
:. could not accept statements OF VIVA
!. his predecessor had promised, unles
. these statements were reinforced b,
= written evidence on file In some on
!. Of the executive departments.
:. Still the pressure from this elias
~ OF officeseekers has not ceased.
y, great number Of the applications 10
:. office arise from the fact that tn
=. places Of hundreds Of federal officer
- who were appointed by President Nj
Rinley early In his term, and whit
-, therefore, have served four years, ar
"a regarded as fair prey by new appl
:. cants for favor. Certain classes {
~ federal officers are appointed for
~ term of four years and Others for a
- indefinite period. President Roos
l., i. welt is opposed especially to appoin
r., Ing new men to places Of this latt'
:, class, except in cases in which u
u, incumbents have proved to be unf1
:" He Is inclined also to reappoint mi
whose four-year terms are expirir
Il these men have made good record
ne He encounters, however, the usu
IN embarrassment Of opposing senator
ng whose prerogatives in regard to fe
ely eral patronage are traditional al
OF time-honored. Yet he has no hesit
me ton In refusing to appoint upon 7
W. recommendation Of senators cant
ire dates who are proved to him to
U.S. unqualified or corrupt, and he h
shown this in several instances.
$40 5H5 Kast Wa Tied.