The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-17
BLACKSMITH DIPLOMAT,
WI. BUCHANAN LONG AGO
HAMMERED RED-HOT IRON
Minister to Panama Worked in
Delphi, Ind, but Was Better at
Singing than Smithing.
WORK OF M. E. BEALL
Indiana Literary Man Who Writes
for the Bureau OF lnsular
Affairs.
WORK OF NJ. E. BEALL

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.--FrOm the black
|smiths shop TO important post in the
diplomatic service Of the United States is a
! long leap.
a blacksmith in Delphi. Ind, afterward a
politician IN Iowa, then a corn-palace pro-
moter when such enterprises were all the
rage. a consular agent in South America,
and later director OF the Pan-American Tx
position held at Buffalo a few years ago.
This Is a brief summarizatiOn OF the
career OF w. l. Buchanan, a former Indiana
man, who is now United States minister 10
the new republic Of Panama. Buchanan
worked at the forge in Delphi many years
ago. and Is well known to many people In
that city, who have watched his rise In the
world with interest. Buchanan was not
only a blacksmith. but he achieved local
fame in Delphi a church singer.
He was only Indifferent blacksmith,
said one of the old inhabitants OF Delphi,
who is now in Washington, but he was
splendid singer"
After leaving Indiana Buchanan went to
Iowa There he engaged in business, be-
came interested in politics in a small way
and had charge OF the States exhibit at the
| Chicago worlds fair. He achieved some
prominence as a manager of corn palaces,
which were popular some years ago, and
after that went 20 New York State. He
Finally became director Of the Pan-American
Exposition. and much OF the artistic success
|of that fair was attributed to his able man
agement. Buchanan went abroad some
/ months ago as a boomer for the St Louis
worlds fair. He went on a secret mission,
and IL Is understood that he was assigned 10
the duty OF overlooking the work OF other
governments in the big show which will soon
be started in ST. Louis.
Buchanan is now in Panama. He hur-
risd to the isthmus shortly after President
Roosevelt recognized the claim of Panama
TO position in the family of nations.
Buchanan has been a success in every place
that he has held and his friends predict
brilliant future for him i'm the diplomatic
field: He is not without experience in the
foreign service. He served as consular
agent in South America under President
Cleveland
buchanan was recently confirmed as min
ister TO Panama. A bitter fight was made
on the nomination by Senator Morgan, OF
Alabama, who contended that no such
place existed IN view of the fact that II had
not been created by law. But the Senate
decided that Panama having been recog-
nized. IL was incumbent upon this country
TO have representative at the capital OF
the new republic. especially in view of the
condition OF affairs incident to the canal
situation.
LITERARY HOOSIER.
The Bureau OF Insular Affairs in the War
Department employs i literary gentleman.
He comes from Fort Wayne, Ind. His
name is Marion e. Bean and he has just
been made chief Of the division having to
do with all publications relating to the in
sular possessions of the United States.
Mr.. Beall was formerly connected with
the Fort Wayne Gazette. and later with
newspapers in Muncie. He has been in the
War Department about three years, and
has made a splendid record, having been
given several promotions for meritorious
service. He was originally an applicant for
an important position in the Philippines,
but on the recommendation Of Senator Bev-
eridge was given an appointment in Wash
Bureau of Insuiar Affairs when IL was or
sanized, and is regarded as one of the most
competent officials in that branch OF the
service His business is to write. He pre-
pareS all the reports and documents issued
at the department relating to the insular
possessions acquired by the United States
as a result of the war with Spain He is
the author of several publications, the
most important of which is entitled sop
portunities in the Colonies and in Cuba
Mr.. Beall Is also the author Of a compre-
hensive work containing a description of
the climate. temperature. health condition,
geography, ethnology, government, history,
fora, fauna. agriculture and forestry of the
i liippineS. with an appendix embracing
statistical matter relating to the population
and resources of the islands. He Is now
engaged in the preparation OF brochures for
free distribution al the louisiana Purchase
exhibit
The Fort Wayne man talks entertainly
concerning the work OF the Bureau of
1nsuiar Affairs. He said: During the first
months of 1898 the department was fully
occupied with strictly military affairs Sup
plies were collected, the volunteer army
a
transport service was organized. Cuba
Porto Rico and the Philippines were in
yaded, spain was conquered and her de-
feated army sent home. With the termina-
ton or Spanish sovereignty over these
Islands, the government OF the United
states assumed the duties and obligations
incident TO sovereignty. The administration
or law for the protection OF life and prop
erty was exercised by officers Of the army
In additlon to their military duties they
became civil officers, collected taxes, ad-
ministered customs. governed municipal-
tiles. enforced sanitary measures adjusted
claims growing out OF the war and mill
tary operations and In short became the
agents OF the executive for the orderly ex-
ercise OF the various functions of govern
ment. This anomalous condition gave rise
TO series OF questions and a voluminous
correspondence that could not properlv he
assigned to any existing division in the
War Department Hence the organize ton
of the Bureau OF Insular Affairs The
correspondence of the War DeDartment
with the Governors of the former Spanish
possessions relative 10 civil affairs pass
through the bureau, and, of course has
given rise to the study OF many irnDortant
and perplextng questions, the proper treat
ment OF which has determined in no small
the islands"
The Fort Wayne man is as familiar with
conditions In the insular possessions OF the
United States as any official in the War De
partment. He has this 10 say relative To the
Island governments: There are sincere diff
ferences OF opinion to the wisdom OF in
sular expansion, and while now an accom-
pilshed Iact which can never be undOne il
has its sincere advocates and opponents in
both parties and in both branches of Con-
greSs. SO Tar, however as the civil admin
istration OF the islands is concerned. it has
been almost above criticism. 1t has been
guided with an eve single TO good govern
ment. Politics has had no place therein
much TO the disappointment of many. Since
the organization of the division, insular APP
pOintments. from the Philippine Commission
down To the lowest civil employee. have been
made on merit. Political recommendations
save as TO character and ability have NOT
been considered. The civil-service law OF
the Philippines Is one of the most drastic
ever enacted. The initial steps of insulaf
government have been taken with care
Time alone can reveal how wisely"
EATOR4RTE REPORT ON