The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-06-12
Until the Cleveland Admins
tration, However, This Of
flee Did Not "Cut a Very Big
Amount of lce."
SECRETARY TODAY is
AN ASST PRESIDENT
When Mckinley Assumed Pow
er, He Dignified the Office
by Calling Assistant, "Sec-
rotary to President"
~ RooERicK CLIFFORD.

~ RooERick CLIFFORD.
Washington, June 1.-THE "on
trial. appointment of Charles D. Nor
ton of Chicago as secretary to the
president recalls the fact that prior to
Cleveland's first term the private sec
retary to the president, as the office
was then designated, did not "cut
much ice" Indeed, the position was
not regarded, nor looked upon, as one
of large influence or importance. but
then Mr. Cleveland brought with him
to the White House in March, 1885.
Daniel Lamont, and appointed him pri-
vate secretary, prominence was at
once attached to the position that has
since grown until 1t is now of national
importance, and the office fills as
large q place in the public eye as does
q seat at the cabinet table.
1t was Mr.. Cleveland who really
brought the office OF private secretary
into the limelight by giving Lamont
authority to handle the news for the
correspondents. The fact that La
mont had been a trained newspaper
man at Albany. N. Y. and had a
knowledge of national politics won
him a warm spot In the hearts Of the
Washington correspondents. He knew
what the boys wanted. and he knew
how to 'tip OFF, story hence al
most at the beginning of Cleveland's
administration, Lamont's name figur-
ed daily In the Washington news. and
he was regarded by the national law
makers as the one official to cultivate.
So II followed as matter Of course,
that the office of private secretary to
the president assumed proportions of
large magnitude.
Harrison Administration.
When President Harrison came in
March, 1889. he named for his private
secretary Elijah Halford, also a news
paper man. Mr.. Halford did not make
the office quite SO prominent as did
Lamont. nor did he figure so much
in the public eye. This, also. may
be said of Thurber. who was private
second term.
1t was not until President Mckinley
entered the white house in March,
1897. however. that the office of pri-
vate secretary was dignified by chang
ing the title to secretary to the pres.
ident." This Is the little story that
explains the change In title.
John Addison Porter, proprietor OF
Hartford. Connecticut, paper and
leading New England republican. who
Is financially strong. espoused the
candidacy OF Mckinley months before
the meeting Of the national conven-
tion which nominated him. 1t was the
desire Of Porter's friends that he be
offered seat In the cabinet. It was
believed early in December, 1896, that
Porter would be a member Of the cab
met. However, circumstances over
which Mckinley had no control took
Porter's name of the "slate" and the
office Of private secretary to the presi-
dent was rendered with the assurance
that II he would accept, the title would
be changed to secretary to the presi-
dent with corresponding increase
in salary. Mr.. Porter was told that
with q change Of title the dignity of
the office would equal that Of a cab
inet minister.
Mr.. Porter accepted. but he did not
make the success in the office expect
ed. He had political ambitions; desir-
ed to be governor Of his state, so in
the spring Of 1900 he resigned to make
the race for the gubernatorial nomin-
alton. His friends claim to this day
that he won. but that the machine
"gold-bricked" him. 1t was a terrible
blow. and he did not long survive it.
Porter Was Dienlfied.
While Porter filled the office of Sec
retary to the president with impress
sive dignity. George Bruce Cortelyou
was doing the work Of assistant Sec
retary and keeping in touch with the |
newspaper correspondents. This was
Cortelyou's strong point. and when |
Porter resigned, President Mckinley
promoted Cortelyou. It was a happy
appointment and was commended not |
alone by the newspaper correspon-
dents but by members and senator's
alike. Cortelyou knew the ropes"
and made a national reputation that
has never been eQualled. When Mr..
Roosevelt succeeded to the presidency
he retained Cortelyou until congress
created the department Of commerce
and labor and then appointed him sec
retary OF the new department. thus
making way for William A. Loeb.
AS secretary to the president. Loeb
made high reputation. He had been
Roosevelt's confidential stenographerl
and secretary at Albany. N. Y. when