Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27
PRESIDENT M'K|NLEY
His Attitude in the Cabinet
Room.
GENIAL AND HUMOROUS
SOME INTERESTING TALES TOLD
OUT OF SCHOOL.
How the Late Executive Relieved the
Strain of Tremendous
Questions.
GENIAL AND HUMOROUS

| Charles Emory Smith, editor of the Phila-
| delphia Press and Postmaster General in
| President McKinley's cabinet, in a series
| of articles published in the Philadelphia
| Saturday Evening Post gives new insight
into the character of the late President, and
handles his subject in such manner as to
give to the articles an absorbing interest.
Mr.. Smith, long student of public men
by his newspaper instinct and training,
made a special study Of Mr.. Mckinley
his marked characteristics as well as habits
that went almost unnoticed by less Keen
eyes-and this research was conducted I'M
der circumstances that made 1t douoiy ef-
fective. AS Postmaster General Mr.. smith
probably had more intimate relations with
Mr.. Mckinley than any other cabinet oh-
GER The Postmaster General in the caol-
net enjoys an intimacy with the executive
by reason Of a close association with MIN
in the matter of details in departmental
supervision. The Postmaster General IL IS
who spends many hours with the PRESIDENT
going over political appointments Oh post
masters ali over the country, sometimes
whole afternoons being spent on TINS WORK.
After cabinet meetings, too, he may sately
be relied upon to remain behind his asso-
ciates in conference with the President IN
this way Mr.. Smith. close and warm
personal friend of Mr.. Mckinley long pc
office in the land, cemented that friend
ship with that close intimacy brought
about by the trend of circumstances, and
so was enabled to gain clearer insight
and more comprehensive view than any
other writer, perhaps, of the methods,
plans and ambitions of the lamented eXecu-
tive.
1t is well known that only the most ur-
gent pleadings of Mr.. Mckinley caused Mr.
Smith to remain in the cabinet as long as
ba and II OOly the promise
that his resignation would be accepted if
handed in at a stated time in the future
that he did finally consent to retain his po-
sition. The date of Mr.. Smiths resignation
from the cabinet approximated the time set
by him in his pact with Mr. Mckinley.
In one of the papers treating OF president
Mckinley in the cabinet room, MIR. smith
tells some interesting stories, and a vivid
picture of the late executive n the trying
hours preceding the war with Spain. He
says in part
Keen Sense OF Humor.
president Mckinley had a keen sense of
hurnor His social traits were very marked,
and he had great fondness for the freedom
ard joys of social intercourse. He loved to
be among his friends and to abandon him
self to the relaxation and eXhilaraton of
unrestrained communion with those he
trusted. At such times he was the life of
the company. His talk sparkled with fun
ana interest. lie ndQ eXCelleNt faculty IN
telling a story or narrating an occurrence
He would often open a cabinet meeting be-
fore settling down to business by recounting
some little chapter of his army political
life which was recalled by the suggestion
of the hour.
His sense of humor took various forms
1t sometimes subtle, sometimes Open
sometimes eXuberant. 1t was often treat
to see how, with perfectly serious look, not
a suggestion of smile, not muscle of
his face quivering, he would prick hollow
argument or claim with an ironical state
ment of its extreme development. He could
never be otherwise than kindly, but he had
a power of genial satire that would not be
suspected by the chance acquaintance. He
would sometimes dispose of an impossible
demand by turning it, with the utmost
gravity Of countenance, into an absurdity
which the author himself could not fail to
perceive. In this keen method Of dealing
with the impractcable which was a min
Cling of badinage and suavity, he was I'M
equaled
His Genial Badinage.
In the lighter and gayer humor he had
a deft touch. Judge Day, after his splendid
service as assistant secretary and Secre-
tary Of State, had been appointed president
Of the peace commission that was about
to leave for Paris and was attending his
last cabinet session.
In that closing hour of his cabinet SER
vice there were mutual expressions of good
will and of regret at the coming separation
Judge Day was not without his facetious
vein. In playful spirit he proffered his
sympathies to his associates who were
about to lose his counsel, and the most
modest of men as he was and is, remarked
that he didn't know how they were going
to get along without him. Well" said the
President with that most serious ASPECT
which he put on when he was most in fun
"as every change in the cabinet has heen
an Improvement, perhaps we can stand it,
The tables were turned on Judge Day and
no one Joined In the laugh more heartily
than he did. The two devoted and admir.ng
friends could safely chaff each other
When the time came for the final instruc-
tions to the peace commission, then engaged
in its negotiations at Paris, a. to whether
1t should demand from Spain the cesson of
the whole Philippine archipelago or only a
part the discussion in the cabinet was ong
and earnest There was a full apprecia-
ton of all the grave issues involved Every
member expressed his views freely and I'M
reservedly. When it came the turn of Sec
rotary Wilson to give his. counsel he spoke
with ms accustomed energy and even more
than his accustomed seriousness He was
one OF the most positive expansionists in
the cabinet He made forceful and cogent
argument in favor of keeping the whole of
the Philippines
AS he finished the President. who. like
the others around the table had listened
with silence and deep attention, quietly re-
marked: II should have expected that ar
you Scotch Presbyterians believe in keep
ing the Sabbath and everything else YOU
can lay your hands on" AS he was him
self of Scotch origin he could well afford
the Jest.
Relieved the Strain.
1t was with such touches of humor that
he relieved the intense strain Of the tre-
mendous questions and the serious discus
sions that preoccupied him. On another oc-
casion there was a most interesting Incl
dent which illustrated another side of his
character. A federal officer had issued a
public paper in which he reflected on the
administration. 1t was a foolish and I'M
warranted criticism The question came up
as to whether he should be disciplined The
President had not known of the paper and
asked to see it. On glancing over it he
said: 81 don't know but this officer is d.
rectly criticising me. and you had better
leave the paper and let me examine it more
closely" And, Mr. President, if you find he
is criticising YOU what will you do?' Il
will forgive him." was the Presidents i'm
mediate and calm answer. 1t was charac-
teristic of his broad and generous nature.
He did not cherish animosities and re-
sentiments. In political rivalries he had no
bitterness of feeling. His warm personal
friends were found in the ranks of all
Ha noIxy o1a Of