Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-10

Our friend W. H. p Denny, formerly of the
Lebanon Star, and now of the Dayton Gazette
has, in his search for Office been exceedingly un-
successful. We were about to say unfortunate
but we thought the other word upon consdera-
ton, the most suitable, for the reason that men
are usually most fortunate who fail in the search
for Office. However, Mr.. Denny, who took so
hard his defeat for the Congressional nomination
in the Lebanon District, applied for the Dayton
Postoffice- He presented twenty two classes of
recommendations, embracing electors, judges
lawyers. statesmen, congressman and private in
dividuals, making it altogether formidable doe
ument, both in point of bulk and strength In
order that Mr.. Lincoln might the more readily
examine his credentials, he had them neatly
printed; and that they might not lose weight by
carriage, he had them presented by Ben Wade
The remainder of the narrative we shall present
in the words of Mr.. Denny, believing that it
cannot be improved by additions or substractions
1t will be fun for outsiders and ii NAV be of ser.
vice to people tempted to enter the ring for an
Office We feel indebted to friend Denny for the
sketch so admirably and graphically written, for
we laughed enough over it to keep our digestive
organs in good running order for some time to
come:
The foregoing documents were presented by
Mr.. Wade, with his official endorsement. Mr..
Blair inquired whether there was Republican
Representative in the Dayton district. A mega
tive answer was given. "Then," said Mr.. Blair,
"you will be recognized as the Representative,
and your recommendation, under the rule of the
President, will be considered conclusive The
papers, however, will be placed file with those
of others, and at the proper time they will be sent
to the President for his investigation"
In few days after this interview, called on
Mr.. Blair myself, and he assured me that the
question of who should be Postmaster of Dayton
would be decided ION the face of the papers. Z"
With this / was perfectly satisfied, because it
placed all the candidates on grounds of equality.
Mr.. Wade subsequently called on the President
and directed his attention to nv testimonials,
which had previously been handed to him in a
printed circular. He expressed himself satisfied,
and strongly minated that he would confer the
appointment on me. Mr.. Wade, who had per-
sonally known me for nearly twenty years,
pressed him to do it then, but he properly de-
clined on the ground that it was due to other par
ties that the should be carefully examined.
He, however, finally remarked, that owing TO the
pressure of his engagements, he would refer the
whole case to the Postmaster General. Mr. Wade
commended the wisdom of this course, and left
him under the belief that as soon as the papers
were made up, Mr.. Blair, under the rule pre-
scribed by the President himself, would give the
decision ultimately in my favor.
On Wednesday, the 9th ult. in company with
Mr.. Wade and several other gentlemen, / called
on the President for the purpose of making a
statement to him in person. had learned that
morning that Mr. Schenck would also visit the
President, and formally demand the Dayton
Postofice as his lawful prey. My object was TO
counterfeit, if possible, his influence, and hence,
by little management, got in before him and
plead my own case before the President i al
luded to the current rumor, at home and at
Washington, that the appointment of Postmaster
no conferred N N tho ol mi n.
alton of Mr.. Schenck, or without any considera-
ton whatever of the claims of other candidates,
no matter how strong. To this he replied: II
hold Mr.. Schenck in high estimation, but mean
to decide between the applicants on the strength
of the recommendations" / told him that con-
ided in his integrity and fairness, and that be
lieved he would examine the papers and do
right" To this he responded: II will try He
then remarked that his labors were excessive
that the pressure of offce-seekers was so great
that promises had been extorted from him, that
ne was afterwards unable to perform; that ''lies
had actually been twisted out of him." He, how
ever, said that he did not to lie. but never
theless, he had, unwittngly, made contradictory
statements. informed him that did not wish
to exact any promise of him, nor did desire him
to decide on the Dayton Postoffice, until he had
time to examine the papers. / complimented the
several candidates, and said that no matter what
LlllSut DC COncluSlOn, he cOulQ not 20
astray. In answer to my inquiry as to the
probable time that he would be able to look ovel
the papers, he remarked, cit might be weeks
perhaps months" "Then," said |, cit is not
worth while for the applicants to remain at Wash
ington on expense?" Certainly not" he OBJ
served. / also reminded him of the rule he hac
adopted, viz. that where there was no Republican
Representative, the Senators should decide; anC
| that, as Senator Wade had recommended me
IL -
was fairly entitled to the Office. To this h,
made no direct reply, except to say that the cas-,
| should be determined its merits. / ther
stated that my testimonials were exceedingl,
strong; that was recommended by Judge Nc
Lean, who had known me from my boyhood; b,
seventeen members of the Electoral College o
Ohio, by Chief Justice Brinkerhoff and the Au
ditor and Secretary of State; by Sam. Galloway
Stanton, Blake, Gurley, Governor Morton
| G. NJ. Clay, Briggs, Hassaurek, Defrees, Calel
| B. Smith, &C., &C., and also ten members of tn
Republican delegation in Congress In addition
had petitions from FIVE hundred of the bes
citizens of Dayton and vicinity, and from infu
| entail persons in every county in this Congress
| ional District, and was likewise recommended b.
all the Republican members Of Congress in tn
adjoining Districts; thus showing that no ma
could have a stronger claim to the Office. i re
marked to him, at the close Of the interview
''thvt if he had any doub. as to who was tn
choice of the people of Dayton, was perfectl
willing to submit the question to the Republican
of Dayton, or to the people en- masse, without II
gard to party" He again assured me that "h
would examine the matter at his leisure; an
make a fair and impartial decision"
] then left him, feeling certain that no malig
influence would sway his judgment, because
had his royal word that he would Investigate an
do right" / did not believe that Abraham Lii
coin would be guilty of duplicity, that when
had taken position he could be forced out of
by the manipulatons of an adroit and bold mai
) The sequel shows that was mistaken. In lie.
than twenty minutes after had left the PresideI
the tempter came, and "Old Abe" succumbe'
thus giving evidence that under strong pressur
2 and confronted bp man of indomitable euere
and iron will, he was weak enough to again hay
ga lie twisted out of him." The manner in whiC
the thing was done was about as follows:
Mr.. Schenck proceeded to the ante-rc of Il
n Presidents Office, and asked admission to Il
Royal presence. He was told by the Secreta
that the President could not be seen at that tim
Mr.. Schenck then took out card and wrote the
, words: "Hon. A. Lincoln. All that | ask f
e myself or friends from this administration is Il
: Dayton Postoffice. Can have an interview
The President replied on the same card: 81 thir
II will grant your request-give me time" Th
: however, did not satisfy Mr.. Schenck. He aga
s requested admission, and was let in. He reite
ated the words of his card, and added variety
arguments in favor of the appointment Of N
. Comfy. He also presented message to d
IT President, drawn up in official form, appointil
W. f. Comfy Postmaster of Dayton, and ask
!. him to sign it. The President objected-M
~ Schenck insisted. The President said that he b.
d Just promised Mr.. Denny to delay the appoir
ment and examine the case on its merits, and tn
4 he could not, consistently, at that time, comp
with his request. Mr.. Schenck was inexorab
Ii was all he wanted. The President began
! relax i'm his resolution. Mr.. Schenck was
confidential friend; he had probably offered hin
seat in the Cabinet; and he had contemplat
3, sending him as Minister to France or Spain
v had just been defeated for the United States Sc
,r ate; all the great Offices had been filed, and he
was the man before him, that had stumped Egy
" What shall do? He only asks petty appo
n ment. Shall turn him adrift without that lit
morsel? So, in evil hour, before his words