Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-11
TEE POSTMASTER GENERAL.

TeSpo1adents--CGucus of the Newspaper
Men and Their Strategic DeDtOys.
The Cleveland Leaders Washington
special has the following in regard to the
manner in which the president surprised
the Washington newspaper men by his
appointment OF Judge Gresham: When i
was ascertained yesterday afternoon tina
the president would in all likelihood, ap
| point cabinet officer before leaving here,
public interest grew apace, and not even q
horrible murder and suicide, scandal and
shooting affray among well known citizens
or high toned wedding last night, could
detract its attention. Mighty efforts at
guessing went the rounds and brain tissue
was strained to cover the
1t was the last topic of discussion on the
street last night and became the first this
morning. Correspondents who haven't
seen the sun rise for ten years got up early
to catch the first rumors, and afternoon
newspaper men were in fever of expecta-
ton and sweat of apprehension lest some
one should get left. When 1t is remem-
bered that this is about the first piece of
news that has struck this town since Mr..
Howe's death, the reasons for this anxiety
will be realized. At II a. N. the CORE
s2ondents held caucus on Fifteenth street
opposite the treasury, and unanimously
C included that the matter would be settled
to-day. This being a fixed fact, it was
moved to go to the White house and see if
anything could be ascertained about it.
A few correspondents excused themselves
languidlY to go over to the treasury
for moment to see if sold French" had
any ''rop and as quick as they we're inside
that massive structure Skinned" through
and over to the White house. The re-
mainder of the crowd Rugged the telegraph
Offices afraid to go away or to cross over to
the treasury even for fear some one would
get something and get it off without being
heard from.
DISCUSSION OF CANDIDATES.
4 discussion of candidates took place
and it was voted that the talk about Charlie
Foster last night was a scare and he was
retired from the list. It was then con-
Guided that Hatton couldn't get there and
the list was narrowed down to Col. James
81. Howe and Gov. Porter, of Indiana. The
former seemed to be the favorite. SIT will
be Howe" said Truesdell. "Howe ls backed
by half the cabinet and by his uncle's old
friends. Besides, there is a sentimental
significance about it that appeals to Ar
thurs heart" "No; think Porter stands
much better show. Pm told he is backed
by the whole Indiana delegation" said
Dunnell. II see the New York Tribune
mentions the name of Gresham, of In
diana, this morning." said Towle. ooh,
that's some of Clark's nonsense. He's
skated all over the United States for can
didates the past week, and had to come
back to Indiana finally" said another.
"Come, let's go up to the White house and
s,e if Phillips (the presidents private sec
r,tary) won't give US a pointer" suggested
another. So bigger crowd of newspG-
per men gathered at the White house than
has been there at one time since poor Gar
field lay i'll. It was learned that the presi-
dent was engaged IN sewing buttons on his
wooden shirt, getting the knots out of his
fishing tackle, and cleaning his gun,
and would see no one. Two men, who had
come to sell him a hunting dog, and a
United States senator were refused admit
lance, end in the ante-room Frank Hatton,
with big bundle of papers in his hands
and a frown on his face sat kicking his
the president.
ARTHUR's PRIVATE SECRETARY.
Mr.. Phillips, fresh from a good morn
ing's work digging bait in the White
house lot, sat complacently smoking q
cigar and telling Mr.. Hatton he thought
the president might see him in a half or
three quarters of an hour, or at the most
an hour and half. Mr.. Phillips is very
diplomatic, and never puts his foot so deep
in the Inire that he has to be constantly
attended by steam derrick, like certain
late. lemented speaker of the house
of representatives. So, when ap-
preached upon the subject of post
master generalship, Mr.. Phillips merely
smiled. Pressed to an opinion, he admit
appoint postmaster general; again he
might appoint him before he left for
Florida; no certainty about that, however.
As to leaving, the president might leave
tonight, ne might leave tomorrow morn
ing, he might leave tomorrow night, and
again he might not leave until Friday
morning.
In the postoffice department there was
little work done, everybody being engaged
IN waiting for news. Porter was discussed.
was not thought of. ''If he will only ap-
point Howe think can get through with
the 5000 signatures day which fall to
me-" said Second Assistant Postmaster
General Elmer, who is now compelled by
law to sign all the papers that former
y went to the postmaster general. Il
have just got used to T. o. Howe's name,
and should only have to change two let
ters." Jameson, at the head of the rail
way mail service, knew Gresham, and said
it would be a good appointment. At 1
o'clock the president sent for Mr.. Hatton,
but whether to break the news of an ap-
pointment, or to ask his advice as to a Sc
lection of coon dogs, no one knew.
THE NEWS BROKEN.
At 80 M. Hatton descended the stairs
to the front door. He neither looked de-
jected nor crushed. He looked relieved,
but slightly round shouldered under the
important news which he had not yet bro
ken to anybody.
HAS one been appointed?" breathlessly
and incoherently asked half dozen cor
respondents, who were loafng there.
eyes," replied Frank.
'Who?"
''Judge Walter Q. Gresham, of Indiana"
reDIiad Frank as he wandered ont into the