Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
Mr.. HAYS PERSONALITY
SOMETHING OF THE NAN MO
HEADED STATE DEPARTMENT

HEADED STATE DEPAhIMENT
sketch of che Secretary which VA
written at the Time He sailed fori
Europe In search Of Health.
Washington.-Jo Hay, who has
been touring the Mediterranean sea and
European resorts in search Of health
has been secretary of state of the United
States since 1885, Previously he had
been ambassador to England and secre-
tary Of the legation at Paris, Madrid
and Vienna, and also first assistant Sec
rotary of state from 1879 to 1851 MIR
Hay was one of the private secretaries
OF President Lincoln, and is part author
OF the life of the martyr president. He
was born at Salem, Ind, October s, 1888
and was graduated from Brown univer-
sity In 1858. His wife is a daughter OF
the late Amasa Stone, of Cleveland, O.
Secretary Hay is intensely human
At 81 years of age he still unfolds in his
home and among his close friends de-
lightful personality, which is the equa-
BILE complement of his brilliancy in af.
fairs of state.
He is something of pessimist con-
eerning himself, looking at his own
works, as it were, through the little end
Of telescope. Yet this tendency does
not affect his clear vision of other men
and their works or his appreciation OF
all that is good in life
The Hay family, which, when In
Washington, resides in this house, con-
sists Of Mr.. and Mrs. Hay. Two charm
ing daughters have been married, the
secretary's Oldest son met with sudden
death a few years ago in New Haven.
and the youngest son, Clarence Hay, is
away at college.
| Secretary Hay is essentially home
man. Within the four walls of his COM
Portable residence he spends most of his
time. This recalls story of years ago.
At his bachelor dinner one of his friends
remarked:
And how long will your honeymoon
| last?"
why" replied Mr.. Hay, Il expect it
to last the rest of my life"
Every weekday morning Mr.. Hay
worked from nine o'clock until half-past
one at the state department. Such mat
tiers as required his attention after that
hour he attended to in his study at home
The room in which he usually receives
visitors is on the first floor. A great
fireplace occupies part of the wall space
on one side.
The Hay library contains everything
that is good. The taste of the secretary
is nothing If not catholic in literature
He appreciates everything that is well
done, from classics to nonsense verses
His tastes are, in fact, shown by his
own writings, which cover a wide range
from pathos and keen humor to the
most serious and polished diction Of his
greatest speeches. John Hay is a mar
Of speech, which falls with wonderful
expressiveness upon the ear, whose
spoken addresses stand closest scrutiny
In cold, gray print. Yet he occasionally
uses slang if he finds for purposes Of
brevity or emphasis 1t better suits his
purpose.
Secretary Hays closest personal
friend is perhaps Henry Adams, the his.
torian, who is his next-door neighboI
in H street. The secretary's only exer-
else consists of long walks in company
with Mr.. Adams. They have congenial
tastes in literature. Mr.. Adams writes
for the love of writing, never having his
recent works printed except for his OWL
delectation.
In the language in which they were
first written, Secretary Hay is fond ci
perusiDg the works Of great authors, be,
lieving that something is always lost
in translation.
For poetry he has wonderful mem.
DRY. 1t is related that not one of hii
friends has ever been able to quote from
standard poetical works a passage
which Mr.. Hay could not Immediately
place by naming the author. Whether
Mr.. Hay has written much fiction In re-
cent years is something of puzzle to
his friends.
A successful novel recently published
anonymously was the subject of much
speculation, and 1t was surmised by
some critics that it may have come from
the pen of the author of Little Breech'
es."
II is thought that the man who from
the days of his youth has found so much
pleasure and not little fame in his
pen has probably not yet forsaken au-
thorship, and that later there may be
added to the list Of his works something
to be priced in literature. No mem
oirs" need be expected. however, at least
nothing touching diplomatic questions
for Mr.. Hay abhors the man who leaves
behind him secrets which he has feared
TO reveal while living.
Secretary and Mrs. Hay do not move
much in fashionable society" Since
their daughters were married there are
fewer social functions in their home
than formerly, but invitations to din
sers at the home of the secretary ol
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