Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-01-09
A PLEA FOR REFORM.
An Article In the Washington Post
BY Ex-senator Chandler.
PRESIDENTS THREE OBJECTS IN LIFE
In Giving His Attention to 90 Many Little
Things the Nations Chief Magistrsts
Bseomss Physically Unable 70 Crap
pls with Great Problems.

Washington, Jan. CAN article by
ex-senator William f. Chandler, the
president Of the Spanish claims COM
mission, entitled "Wanted-By the
United States-a President" was pub
lished in the Washington Post yes
terday. The article is a strong argu-
ment for reform in the present meth
DDS Of conducting executive business.
Mr.. Chandler asserts that q presi-
dent has now only three objects in
life: First, to see 10000 people a
year; second, to accomplish 1000 lit
tie 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 attention
to the thousands Of little things, the
president, Mr.. Chandler insists, is
worn out and becomes physically un-
able to grapple with the great prob
lens to which he ought to give his
undivided attention.
Mr.. Chandler cites from personal
knowledge the cases of presidents
who have almost succumbed under
the strain. Instancing particularly
President Arthur, in whose cabinet
he was secretary Of the navy, and
President Mckinley, to whose i'm
paired health Mr.. Chandler attributes
his inability to recover from the
shock of the assassin's bullet. Mr..
Chandler expresses his regret that
President Roosevelt, "even with his
quickness, his acuteness and his pres
ent untiring industry and unbounded
energy, has given countenance to the
idea that he will do all the appoint
ing himself and hear all that anyone
has to say concerning any appoint
ment." Mr.. Chandler says the great
weight Of the pressure for office
ought to fall upon the cabinet min
listers and that the president ought
to have more time for important
things.
"What 10 wanted in the person Of
Mr. Roosevelt" says Mr.. Chandler,
land in every other person whom
the twentieth century may see In the
white house, is a president who will
be allowed to serve the whole people
with all his heart and strength, with
all his mind and body, in the dis
charge of his official duties, unhin-
dered by the pressure upon him of
so many thousands Of his country
men as have in recent years en-
croached upon the time and patience
Of our presidents and kept them from
their public work, or compelled them
to do it by impairing their physical
health and overstraning their mental
powers.
"The time has come when access to
the president, except at public re-
ceptions, should be limited to the cab
met ministers, senators, representa-
tives and ambassadors and to such
other persons only as are given in
terviews for public purposes after
written applications have been re.
ceived and carefully considered. The
public receptions Of the president
should be few, and there should be
no intrusions upon his social life,
which he should be allowed to regu-
late according to his own will and
pleasure, and no person should take
offense because not invited to his
presence or fnd fault with his Sc
lection of his company, whatever
may be his race or color.
"This needed, change of.custom will
at first, no doubt, be unpopular. II
will be condemned as unrepublicar
exclusiveness. II will require, to be-
gin the new rule, a president who has
been man Of the people, who is
known to be at heart thoroughly
democratic in all his ideas and ways
and who is also strong in his convic
lions and fearless in his actions. Is
not Mr. Roosevelt such a president
WIN ho ;roururofo tho raforrn ~