Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1872-12-19
The Des sIofnes Pension Agency.

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When it was known that an agent
was to be appointed portion of the
Des Moines ''ring" put their heads to-
gether for the purpose of controlling
the appointment AT the very outset
they were met by embarrassments. A
half dozen or more, men here in Des
Moines, who had been the supporters
Of the ssring7 leaders, desired the place.
1t would be hard to appoint one and
disappoint FIVE. Besides, there was
another, whom they could make more
useful. That other was Mr.. Swain.
The next step was to devise an excuse
for his appointment. And this was
the point at which it was discovered
that Mr.. Orr's district was entitled to
the office. A moments thought win
satisfy any reasonable mind that there
was no good ground for the claim. The
pension District is composed of all of
Mr.. MeDilfs district, all the Seventh
district, and part of Mr.. Walden's
district. aud q part of Mr.. Pratt's dis
lsictsss 1l1e' Nina district does not con-
tain one fourth efAhe population OF the
pension district, and In view Of the fact
that Mr.. Goodrell's immediate prede-
cessor was resident of Mr.. Orr's dis
trict, there could be 10 good reason
why three fourths of the pension dis
trict should be ignored in making the
selection. Although no one carr blame
Mr. Orr for accepting what was of
fered him.
AT the time of AIR. Goodrelrs death,
Mr.. Harlan was at his home in Mount
III 1,n
quested by a telegram from the Secre-
tary of the Interior to recommend n
suitable person for the vacant place
Palmer and Orr arrived at Washing
ton in advance of Mr.. Harlan. Friday
mornings Chronicle announced that
the Senator was expected that night
Courtesy should have induced those
gentlemen to await his arrival before
urging an appointment. But some
other consideration induced them to
press Mr.. Swalm's claim that very day,
and the Secretary ordered his appoint
ment, with the impression that it was
satisfactory to Senators Harlan and
| Wright. This was certainly true in
the case of Senator Wright. but when
Mr.. Harlan called on the Secretary,
the following day, in response to his
| telegram, he assured him that he had
not been consulted, and that he object
ed to the appointment, first of all be-
cause he did not think Mr.. Swain
possessed of the kind of ability needed
in that particular position, and second
ly, because his course towards Mr..
kasson, member of Congress elect,
and towards him personally. and been
dishonorable and entirely inexcusa-
BILE. Upon this representation
the appointment was recalled. At the
same time Mr.. Harlan stated that he
did not ask the appointment of any
| special friend, nor of any one who was
obnoxious to his Congressional asso-
ciates. There were scores of men in
the district, any one of whom would
be satisfactory to him. He only ask
ed that competent. honorable man.
whose selection could not give person
al olense to any one, should be select
ed. He would not make war on any
man because he had seen proper to
prefer some Other than himself for of.
flee. This was very mans right, and
| all he cared to know was that his op.
position had been honorable and man.
| ly. Such has been Mr.. Cues opposi.
ton, and recognizing in him man Of
/ character, and one who was everywa
| qualified for the place, he would cheer
fully recommend him, not because he
was his individual choice, but for thu
reason that he believed that the ap
| pointment would be acceptable to thu
people of the district and could not bt
obnoxious to the other members. liz
had no disposition to do toward them
what he was not willing they should
not do otoward him. All must conccd.
that this was manly position; and i
is not at all strange that the Presiden
saw and recognized it, if the other gen
tlemen interested did not.