The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-05
President Burdened Down With Petty
Duties.
VIEWS EX-SENATOR CHANDLER
He Thinks Minor Duties Should Fall Upon
the Cabinet Ministers. Leaving ths
President Unhampered for
the Great Oues.
nv Associated Prcss.>

- /
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Jan. 4.-The
Washington Post will print tomorrow an
Interesting and important. article by eX-
Ssnator William Il. Chandler, the presi-
dent OF the Spanish Claims Commission,
entitled ..Wanteu by the United states,
a. President.
ETherart.cle is a strong argument for
reform In the present methods OF con-
ducting executive business. Mr.. Chand-
lers asserts atnat President has now only
three objects in life-frst, to see e, OoO
people a year; second, to accomplish 2,e0o
little things. and, third, to try to do 200
great things. In the seeing of so many
thousand people about trivial affairs and
IN giving his attention to the thousand or
little things, tho President, Mr.. Chandler
insists, is worn out and becomes physical
" una BILE to grapple with the great prob
lens, to which he ought to give his undl-
vided attention.
Mr.. Chandler cites from personal knowl-
sdge the cases Of Presidents who nave
almost succumbed under the strain, "a
stancing particularly President Arthur, IN
whose Cabinet he was Secretary OF the
Nav. and President Mckinley, 10 whose
impaired health Mr.. Chandler attributes
Inability to recover from the shock OF the
assassin's bullet Mr.. Chandler expresses
his regret. that President Roosevelt, even
with his .qllfcl>ness, his acuteness and nus
present ,lntiring= industry and unhounded
rergy, has given scourltenance to the idea
that he will do all l-ti1e&appeinting himself
and hear ALI that any one has tos.sa
coccerntugs any rppointment:
SHOULD FOLLOW tCABlNEI.
ntr. t,hand!er thinks that the great
weight Of the pressure for Office ought
to fa! upon the Cabinet ministers ana
tbe President ought to have more time
for important things.
: ..What is wanted in the person OF Mt.
Roosevelt says, Mr.. Chandler, and IN
every other person whom the tWentieth
century may see in the Nmte rouse
is President who will be allowed 10
serve the whole people with all his heart
and strength, with all his mind ana
body. in the discharge of his official
duties. unhindered by the pressure upon
hin, of so many thousands OF his coun-
trynen as have in recent years en-
lcroached upon the time and patience or
our Presidents and kept them from their
public work or compelled them 70 90 IL
bv impairing their physical health ana
overstraining their mental powers. ne
time has come whe1 access to the Presl-
dent, except at public receptions, shoulo
be limited to the Cabinet ministers, SEN
ators. representatives and ambassadors
and to such other persons only as are
given interviews for PUBIC purposes
after written applications have peen re-
ceived and carefully considered ne
public receptions of the President should
be few. and there should be no intru-
sions upon his social life. which ne
should be allowed to regulate according
to his own will and pleasure. and no
nerson should take offense because not
invited to his presence or find fault with
his selection of his company, whatever
may be it's race or color.
"This needed change OF custom VIII at
first. no doubt. be unpopular: II Wiii ne
condemned as unrepublcan exclusive
ness II will require. to begin the re"
rule. President who has been man
of the people. who is known to oe at
heart thoroughly democratic in al MS
ideas and ways, and who IS also strong
IN his convictions and fearless In ms
..+;ons Is not Mr.. Roosevelt such
President? Will be inaugurate the re-
form"