Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1885 — CABINET PORTRAITS. [ARTICLE]

CABINET PORTRAITS.

Bayard Patient, Whitney Blunt, Endicott Suave and Polite, garland Plain and ' Sociable, Manning Non-Cbm-mittal, Lamar Queer. [Washington special.] Secretary Bayard has a patient way of entertaining visitors. If he is satisfied at the first glance that he can dispose of a case in a few words, he will do so, but as a rule he rather enjoys keeping applicants, for office especially, on the ragged edge as long as possible. When he once gets interested, however, the Secretary is t> changed man. In the discussion of any topic he will go into the minutest details, and before he gets through he will exhaust his subject and listener as well. Mr. Bayard has been longer in public life, and has had more experience, thau any other Cabinet officer. This experience and knowledge of men and measures often enables him to dispose of business much more rapidly than he is given credit for. So far as personal manner of receiving visitors is concerned, Secretary Whitney is the sharpest contrast to Secretary Bayard. Mr. Whitney is a youthful-looking and’ handsome man. He wears glasses, and his clothes fit him admirably. No one has ever yet complained that Mr. Whitney equivocated. In this respect he resembles ex-Secretary Chandler, who had the tact of making the plainest, bluntest, and clearest statements in relation to matters in the Navy Department of any Secretary who has been in office since the war. Mr. Whitney is a good deal like Mr. Chandler in

some other respects. He is quick, nervous, and alert, has the gift of instantly seeking the main point at issue, no matter how much it is covered up with a mass of details, and the courage to speak out his mind at once. Secretary Endicott is the most aristocratic member of the Cabinet. Not every one can be admitted into his presence, but those who are have no reason to complain about their reception. A few days ago a gentleman called at the War Department and sent his to the Secretary. In a few minutes the messenger came out and said that Mr. Endicott desired to be informed as to the nature of his business. The caller grew furious and swore a blue streak, which made General Sheridan jump out of his seat and look up and.down the corridor. Then the caller told the messenger that that wasn’t his style of doing business, and went away in high dudgeon. Secretary Endicott is suave and polite to those with whom he comes in contact. Attorney General Garland makes every visitor feel perfectly at home. Personally he is one of the most popular of Cabinet officers. He has a peculiar vein of humor and an intense appreciation of the ludicrous. There is not a fiuer raconteur or a more inveterate practical joker in America than the Attorney .(general. He is a jovial, whole-souled, generous man, who hates shams, and who works hard and plays hard. If the President had searched the country through and through, he could not have found a man more thoroughly unfitted for his surroundings than Mr. Garland. His is the grandest office in Washington. Mr. Garland is one of the plainest of men—plain'in speech, action and appearance. Ordinarily he dresses in a well-word broadcloth suit, and he invariably wears a black slouch ‘ hat, tipped well down over his forehead. He looks as though he came from Arkansas and was glad of it. If ex-Attorney General Brewster could only take a peep at Mr. Garland as he daily sits in his office, he would hasten his trip to Europe to get rid of the scene. The Attorney General has an immense load of work on Ms-shoulders, but he carries it lightly. For his friends he always has a neat story told in an inimitable manner, and next to telling one he lovei tt> listen to others. Secretary Manning resembles the President in the way in which he receives visitors. He has a desk at the end of the big room on the second floor of the Treasury and- his callers sit and await their turn. He is a good listener—has a face like a sphinx—and says but little. He tire Cabinet. Occasionally, when aroused, he shows the stuff that is in him; is phlegmatic, impressive; and has the appearance of being able to receive good, bad, and indifferent news with the same outward calmness. Mr. Manning acts instead of talks. Like all newspaper men, he hates long stories. The man who goes to him with all his facts condensed, presents them with a few words and then retires, makes a greater impression upon him than those who weary him with an overabundance of verbiage. Postmaster General Vilas has his visitors sorted by the colored messenger before they are admitted to his presence. He is a good talker himself, and likes it in others, but, like 'Mr. Manning, he despises the tiresome bore. Gen. Vilas can be one of the most fascinating men. From the standpoint of pure oratory he has no rival in the Democratic party. Secretary Lamar has a queer way of receiving visitors. He allows every one to tell his story. Probably there is not a more patient man in public life than Mr. Lamar, and the crowds that spck to his office seem to appreciate that fact. When he is weary he has the highly original plan of excusing himself for a moment, going out through his private door to the street, mounting his thoroughbred, and speeding away for a ride in the country.

ILLINOIS ELECTIONS. The New Law Enacted by the Legislature The new election law just enacted by the Illinois Legislature was gotten up in Chicago, and is intended for that city. The law,' however, con be adopted by any incorporated town, if approved by a popular vote. It provides that the County Court shall superintend all elections; election precincts shall not contain more than 450 voters; no rnafcf can vote who is not upon the register; a canvass is to bo made of each precinct by the official canvassers prior to each election; triplicate returns and duplicate tallies are to be returned; the polls are to close at four o’clock in the afternoon. The bill provides penalties for all infractions of the law. The bill was framed largely upon precedents of the Massachusetts, New York, and California laws. ■ .; A. W. Rollins, of Chicago, who gave $50,000 of the $150,000 required to build the college in Florida, has christened the institution, recently opened, “Kollins College.” It is under Congregational influence, though non-sectarian, and admits both sexes to its classes. Bishop Niles, of New Hampshire, has lately received from Mrs. A. B. B. Tilton, of Tilton, N. H., an unsolicited gift of SIO,OOO, to be used in establishing in Con- “■ cord the proposed Episcopal school for girls. This gift is memorial of her daughter, Evelyn Tilton. . General Sheridan has invented a new dish, composed of young pigs’ tails fried in seasoned with cayenne pepper and trimmed with grated celeiy. All it lacks is ■ mystifying French name. '■<s> An eagle kept in Vienna, Austria, died after a confinement of 114 years.