Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01


with the statements of dis:nterested eye
witnesses
The statement issued by Mr.. Barnes made
1t apparent that Mrs. Morris had been &C
corded every courtesy; that he had been
extremely leneut with her; that the order
for her ejectment was given only as iast
resort and that Mrs. Morris was handled
as gently and as considerably as possible
during the drag out from the door or the
executive offices 10 the waiting cab MI
Barnes also fatty denied that negro at
tendant at the White House had seized Mrs.
Morris above The ankles and aided IN car
rying her
The statements of disinterested eyewit-
nesses disa gree with this statement IN
every particular.
From opinions secured by The Star last
night from representative business men 1t
Is apparent that Mr. Barnes appointment
is extremely distasteful, not only because
he Is not local man, but because or the
unpleasant notoriety he has gained as a
result of his prominence in the unforgetabie
Morris incident.
Tho opinion was expressed In some quar-
ters that the President had been placed In
the attitude of promoting Assistant Secre-
tary Barnes for the latter's conduct IN the
Morris case.
Credited to New Jersey.
Benjamin F. Barnes is accredited to the
second New Jersey district, which is rep
resented In Congress by John J. Gardner
The latter was not in this city last evening
but his colleague. Representative Louden-
Slayer of the first district. said that, so far
as he knew the New Jersey delegation had
rot been consulted in regard to the APP
pointment.
No Explanation Given.
The announcement of the selection Of Mr.
Barnes as postmaster of Washington was
sent around TO newspaper offices in the
shane of the usual brief White House bull
letin. There was no explanation of the ap-
pointment from any source. The President
did not talk to visitors regarding it. He
had but one visitor during the evening.
Secretary Loeb left the White House offices
inst before o'clock in the evening and
did not return.
Postmaster General Cortelyou was at the
White House about 4 o clock in the after
noon. and 1t was at this time that the seiec-
ton Of Mr. Barnes was agreed upon. when
Mr. Corteiyou left the White House ne
said that the President had picked man
for postmaster of the city, but refused TO
name him. It is presumed that an agree
meut was made that Mr. Loeb should send
around the announcement just before his
departure from the office. There was no IN
timation from any source, tnough, as 10
what would happen until the prtei puiieeiii
conveyed 1t.
White House, in which there followed Sc
we're criticism of Mr.. Barnes Tor directing
a police officer, his relative, to seize Mrs
Morris and take her out OF the or
fees, there have been suspicious that az
a favorable opportunity MIR. Barnes would
be placed somewhere else. For long time
II was believed that he would be put back
into the .eecutive offices among the clerks.
and Assistant Secretary Forest, a most
tactful official put in the Office of Secre-
tary Loeb to handle the visitors and to as
siSi Secretary Loeb.
Friend Of Mr.. Cortelyou.
There has never been the remotest idea
that ur. Barnes would be placed In q
position of this kind. 1t has been known
for a long time that he has for years been
a close personal friend of Mr.. Cortelyou,
a devoted admirer and assistant OF that
official. close mouthed. discreet and insist
ent on following just the orders he had
received from those above him, which in
clude Mr. Cortelyou. who was secretary to
the President until he was made Secretary
of Commerce and Labor.
In this promotion Mr. Barnes goes from
5000 year and the yicissitudes of the
Morris sort to 5000 year as postmaster OF
this city. Financially he will be $1,000 bet
ter off If he is confirmed by the Senate.
The vacancy at the White House Will
probably go John l.. McGrew, competent
and obliging clerk. although there are two
other men in line for promotion Warren
Young, chief executive clerk, and NJ. c.
Latta, the personal steuOgrdpher or the
President
There has never been thought of Mr..
Barnes In connection with the Washington
office. because he has never been identified
with local affairs and people to any ex-
tent. Although known to most of the
prominent citizens of the District who have
had business at the White House. the ac-
quaintance was not gained IN the transac-
f{fN Of stpi.t httSifa In, Sc
daily and unofficial character with District
people Fer that reason the selection will
prove great surprise.
Postmaster General Corteyou and Mr..
Barnes We're clerks In the Post ONCE De-
partment together years ago. When Mr..
Cortelyou went to the White House in the
last part of the last Cleveland administra-
ton he was not long in arranging that Mr.
Barnes should also be brought into the
office As Mr.. Cortelyou advanced at the
White House so did Mr.. Barnes. The lat
ter became assistant secretary to the
President after Mr.. Cortelyou had been
went to the Department of Commerce and
Labor there was talk that Mr.. Barnes
would be taken with him, and 1t appeared
certain that Mr.. Barnes would eventually
become an assistant postmaster general
Ever since Secretary Loeb has held his
present position Mr.. Barnes has been his
chief assistant. sitting near him at IL desk
In the same room. He has for a long time
acted as a buffer for Mr.. Loeb seeing and
disposing of the large number of visitors
who had unlmportant matters to talk about
but insisting on seeing the President or
s,eoretary Loeb. 1t was this class OF people
that Mr. Barnes was sent out of the secre-
tary's office to deal With. AS q general
rule he disposed OF them by referring them
TO the respective departments. II they
wanted to see the President he assured
them that the chief executive was busy and
could not see them.
Mr.. Barnes Career.