The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-11-09

In request Ten. Mitchell, accompa-
MED by the then Senator Pomeroy, who
was at that time at the height of his
political influence. returned to the War
Department. At the door of the War
Office they were met by bluff old Ben
Wade. who retdrned to the Secretary
with them. feeling curious. perhaps. to
see how Stanton would act in obeying
the order of his superior. Wade's ca.
rinsity soon afterward assumed a very
different complexion. In the presence
of these three gentlemen the petition of
the army officers for the promotion
desired by General Mitchell. with the
endorsement of the President thereon,
was presented to Stanton without any
comment. Stanton quietly read the Pc
tition and the indnrsement, and then de-
hbcrately tore the petition into shreds,
which he deposited in the waste basket.
The three gentlemenwere astonished at
what seemed to them. and might very
properly have appeared to anybody. an
act OF stupendous impudence. The only
comment thet Secretary Stanton made
consisted i'll the words uttered In quiet
tone. with his large eyes closed some-
what behind his spectacles: The ap-
pointment will not be made"
The three gentlemen retired speech
less with rage and astonishment. Mr..
Stanton was a man much after Ben
Wade's heart. This act of StantOn's
had aroused the old mans wrath and
and set loose tongue which, in its
theological expression, does not always
strictly follow ecclesiastical euphonism.
A sardonic giin played about the
grimly mobile features of old Ben
Wade's face He clutched his bands as
if the sturdy neck of the secretary was
within his vigorous grasp. Wade strobe
to the front, and toll his companions to
follow, muttering: I'VE will see about
this" Con. Mitchell was then lame
from recent wound, and with Pome.
roy. who was already puffy from rap
idly developed obesity. naturally fell
behind. Wade could not wait, and
strobe on, driving his tough oaken cane
into the ground, and bringing out oaths
~ u rocket leaves sparks in its trail.
The two Kansas gentlemen might have
imagined that they were following some
Plutonic herald. The distance between
the War Department and the White
House is not great. At the threshold
of the Executive mansion the irate Ben
turned, and shaking bis cane at his two
less swift companions. shouted, Come
on" The twain naturally fastened
their steps, for they feared that the
hated representations of Mr.. Wade
might be less respectful to Stanton
than they would be beneficial to their
cause.
They arrived at the ante-rOom of the
Presidents Office just in time to hear
old Ben blurt out: "Whst sort OF q
clerk do you keep over
at the War Department Wade fairly
trembled with rage at what he regard
ed the indignity to the Presidential au-
thority Mr.. Lincoln coofly asked the
reason for the energetic inquiry. Wade
told the story in his emphatic way. how
the petition had been respectfully pre-
sented, how the clerk in the War
Office" had read the Presidents in
structions, and had then torn the whole
document into pieces. The President
listened to the story with much ap-
parent nervousness. and great agitation
was manifest on his face, as the recital
proceeded. After pacing the floor for
u few moments, he turned to the gentle
man and said /: The truth Is. gentle
men, l have very little influence with
this administration"
That is the true story of this histor-
ical statement of Lincoln's, as told by
an eye witness. The President, with
cut further comment, then told the gen.
tleman to call next morning, and he
would see what could be done. They
called. The President handed General
Mitchell an official paper, saying:
There is the appointment Of your
friend to the position Of major in the
Quartermaster's Department" No fur
ther explanation was afforded by the
President. The nature of the interview
with his war secretary was never made
public, but the act of the President
shows that be had, in fact. some little
influrrce with his administration.
Washington Letter 10 Chicago Tribune.