Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-21

pail makes IL very disturbing noise.
and l am busy talking over the long
distance telephone. Please Turn 1t Off
for n few moments
"'All right. Major replied John. and
turning off the water, he h1led his
Pipe and lighted it, and then sitting
down with his back to the house. lis
tened to the conversation Which tho
President WAS carrying OIL.
HE DOES NOT RESENT
THIS INTERFERENCE
''lIere was the ruler OF Il hundred
millions Of people engaged in the
transaction of most important and Sc
rious public business. and there was
common laborcr, intrudinS himself
into the transaction; but Mckinley was
not impatient. nor did he resent. as
almost any other man would. this in
reference. He dictated to his Secre-
taries over the telephone that famous
and 'McKinleyespuc reply, cousenting
that the American troops should be
placed under the command Of the Ger
man general on the condition that this
government at any time reserved the
right to revoke the permission, pro-
vided the policy Of the army so COM
manded ran in any way counter to
the ideas OF the United States An adj
mirable reply, the wisdom Of which
was quickly approved by the public
when they learned of 1t. Having die
tatcd this important dispatch. the
President hung up the receiver. hut
he did not forget John.
John he said, L am through now,
and you can turn on the water again.
John did SO. and then leaning on the
window sill, said:
Major (becausc all the laboring
men in Canton called him by that ia
miliar title) Major, hope YOU are GO
ing to settle that Chinese question
all right. Amt YOU"
~ hope so. John said the great
executive.
"'Wcll, Major, replied John. YOU
don't need to be too dern yielding. for
all OF us boys are behind you
Thank you. john said the great
President, and the incident was closed.
THIS INCIDENT SHOWS
HIS INFINITE TACT
And here is another story showing
his wisdom, sympathy and infinite tact:
AT tie close of the Spanish War,
YOU will remember there was much crit
icism. most of it unjust, of the War
Department. Mr.. AlEer was Secretary
of War The criticism grew so strong
at last the President wisely appointeA
u commission to investigate and report.
Just before Thanksgiving of that year.
the Governors of the different States, as
we'll as the President of the United
states, issued Thanksgiving proclama-
tionS. The Governor of one of the
territories, appointed by Mckinley, in
his proclamation, announced that one
of the main reasons for Thanksciv-
ing that year was that tho President
had at last been forced by public orin-
ion to appoint a commission to investi-
gate the War Department, that its in
competence would ut last he shown up
and that the rascals would be exposed
M Oh -, Al
ana rambunctious proclamation was
published in the Washington papers on
the Cabinet day preceding ThankSgiv-
ing. The members OF the Presidents
Cabinet, who had read the papers be
fore going to the Cabinet meeting were
very much disturbed. They knew that
tho Secretary Of War, chatting a he
Was under the Very unjust criticism Of
his faithful and earnest administration
OF the War Department. would prob
ably insist on one OF two things. Either
that this Governor should he summarily
removed. or that his resignation as Sec
Rotary OF War should be immediately
accepted. IN the one case they feared
that by such removal the people might
think that the President was intend
ing TO suppress or cover up the investi-
cation; in the other case that the peo-
pie would get the notion that the sec
ictary, fearing the outcome, had left
posi- UTt, ana IN either case
the result would be unfortunate for
the President ana the administration.
SO they attended the Cabinet meeting
that day with feelings of forcboding
After the regular business of the
Cabinet had been transacted, the Sec
rotary of War. with voice trembling
with anger and emotion. said:
"':'r. President one of two things
must happen. sir Either an appointee
OF yours must Immediately have his
official head taken off at the shoulders
or my resignation as your Secretary OF
War must he accepted
why, Mr.. Secretary said the
President. what is the occasion OF this
unusual demand"
The secretary took a paper out OF
his pocket and handed 10 the President
for pcrusual, this unfortunate procla-
nation. Mckinley read it, and then