The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-01-09
Presidents Post Not Sineoure.
Ex Senator Chandler Recoun's Some OF the
Drawbacks Attending the Office.

OidWudeNS NbeHuWy ihe ONHCts
The WaShington Post of January
4th, contained an interesting and
important article by ex-senator
William L. Chandler, the president
OF the Spanish Claims Commission,
entitled: Wanted, by the United
States. a President. The article
is strong argument for a reform
in the present methods of conduct
ing executive business.
Mr.. Chandler asserts that Pres
ident has now only three objects in
life first, to see 1000 people
year; second, to accomplish 1000
little things and, third, to try to do
200 great things. In the seeing of
so many thousand people about
trivial matters and in giving his at
tention TO the thousands Of little
things, the President, Mr.. Chandler
insists, in worn out and becomes
physically unable to grapple with
the great problems to which he
ought to give his undivided at
tention.
Mr.. Chandler cites from personal
knowledge of persons who have
almost succumbed under the strain,
instancing particularly President
Arthur, in whose cabinet he was
Secretary OF the Navy, and Presi-
dent Mckinley. to whose impaired
condition he attributes his inability
to recover from the shock OF the
assassin's bullet. Mr.. Chandler
expresses his regret that President
Roosevelt, with his quickness, his
acuteness and his present untiring
industry and unbounded energy,
has given countenance to the idea
that he will do all the appointing
himself and hear all that any one
has to say concerning any appoint
ment." Mr.. Chandler thinks that
the great weight Of the pressure for
Office ought to fall upon the cabinet
ministers and the President ought
to have more time for important
things.
what is wanted in the person
of Mr.. Roosevelt" says Mr.. Chand-
ler, ''and in every other person
whom the twentieth century may
see in the White House is a Presi-
dent who will be allowed to serve
the whole people with all his heart
| and strength, with all his mind and
body, in the discharge of his official
duties, unhindered by the pressure
upon him of so many thousands of
his countrymen as have in recent
years encroached upon the time and
patience of our President and kept
them from their public work, or
compelled them to do it by impair
ing their physical health or over
straining their mental powers.
"The time has come when access
to the President, except at public
,, receptions. should be limited to the
Cabinet Ministers, Senators, Repre-
sentatives and Ambassadors, and to
such other persons only as are given
interviews for public purposes after
written applications have been re,
ceived and carefully considered.
The public receptions Of the Presi-
dent should be few, and there
should be no intrusions upon his
social life which he should be al
lowed to regulate according to his
own will and pleasure, and nc
person should take offense because
not invited to his presence or fine
fault with his selection of his com
| pany, whatever may be its race Of
color.
"This needed change of custom
| will at first no doubt be unpopular
| 1t will be condemned as unrepubli
can exclusiveness. 1t will require
to begin the new rule, Presiden
who has been a man of the people
| who is known to be at heart thor
oughly democratic in all his idea
and ways, and who is also stronI
in his convictions and fearless in hi
actions. Is not Mr.. Roosevelt sucl
a PRESIDENT Will he inaugural
the reform?"