Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-07-24
JOHN w. FORNEY AND HON. CAVE
JOHNSDN

From the Clarksville Tobacco Leaf.
One of the most entertaining books which
has me out for long time is F0rney ::
"Anecdotes Of Public Men,"
Full of anecdotes aud humor, full o
characteristic stories OF the great men Of the
great past, who played their part on the p0.
liticAl stage, and full Witbal Of Forney, who
is more than stage manager, who is rsther
Magma -pdrs- QudruBl FIJI OF the events of
their time, and especially Of the record he
writes, it gives one pew view OF the great
men we are accustomed to connect with
our history.
There is however one anecdOte of the
Hon. Cave johnson, which we have failed
to find in its pages. Indeed, by some sin
gular oversight he seems to have been
omitted altogether.
Mr.. johnson was 4 citizen of Clarksville,
one of the most thoroughly earnest of Ten
nessee's statesmen, and a man whose in
tegrity was of that stamp, that we have
heard those who vera most thoroughly ac-
quailted with his administration Of public
matters, ssy that, he would stop the gov
ernment for q dime where there was a
principle involved, and woe TO him who ex-
pected in his department to treat public
funds as public plunder.
The anecdote we refer TO touches this
trait Of bis character; and it is vouched for
by gentleman who was in the Office of ap-
pointmenss in the PostoffiCe Department
under Mr. johnson, and he refers US t. an
other gentleman il this county (Montgom-
ery) who will corroboTate his statement,
When the contract for furnishing the De-
psrtmslt with stationary was to be award
IL - 10 Ia II
ney was an applicant. The contract was
very large, and there was considerable
competition. Col. Forney came to our in
fOrmant, then clerk, before making out
the specifications of hs bid, and asked him
in regsrd to some large aud valuable books,
made Of fine paper, ruled, and bound
in tho most expensive binding, and
werth $50 apiece; as to how long they
would last. He was told that at the present
rate they would last several years. lie Wis
tied each clerk and found that such books
would not be needed during the period of
contract, and shrewdly made out his lid
putting them at fifty cent apiece.
Mr.. johnson, looking over the bids, re-
marked, "Forney has put this fifty in the
wrong column" and when be came in call
ed bis attention to it. Forney replied that
be knew what he was about; and he did, for
valuing books worth $50 At fifty cents gain
ed him the contract.
A short time after, Peter G. Washington, 4,
then First Auditor of the Postofice Depart
ment, and a bitter enemy of FOrney, came
in one day and said, 'Mr. johnson, we have
too many small books in this depart
ment They should all be exchanged for
these large books. 1t will be economy to
do it."
Mr.. johnson was after economy ard he
gave permission to have the exchange made.
About thirty of the books were procured
and one hundred more ordered.
Col Forney came in shortly with his bill
for the first thirty at $50 spece.
"But, Col. Forney," said Mr.. johnson,
ssyo1 agreed in your bid to furnish these
books for fifty cen 81
'Oh well" said Forney, $50 1 did; but 1
though you understood that. OF course
you don't expect me 10 work for the gov
ernment for nothing"
"But Colonel" replied Mr.. johnson, 81
can't permit that kind of practice. 1t
would be unjust to other bidders, for put
ting your price for these books at $50, you
were not the lowest bidder. You only got
the contract by agreeing to furnish them at
fifty cents"
Next morning the entire Pennsylvania
delegation in Congress came in to beg For
ney of; but Mr.. johnson was firm as
rock, and Col. Foruey had to furnish the
original thirty copies; ard one hundred
mora at fifty cents a copy, receiving $65 for
books worth $S, 500.
Our informant says Mr.. johnson en-
joyed it very much in quiet way as he al
ways enjoyed the discontinue of any man
who attempted sharp practice on the gov
ernnent.
Col. Forney's memory of course is at
fault, or this characteristic anecdote would
have found place in bis book, and be can
dress it up in his pleasant style for the next
edition.