New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-01
"THE FRISTY dNdN(dSD

1.-THE FRISHY ANANIAS."
Twenty years ago last spring the Connect
cut Republicans were discuss ng the question
of n successor to Governor Buckingham, who
having been Governor for eight years had
signilcd his purpose 10 decline a denomination.
The politics of that period were beginning to
lie a little mixed Pres dent Andrew johnson
had not fully developed. but was gradually
unfurling his ears. There was considerable
sllittshncss among pOsmastcrs and increasing
distlust of the Pres dent throughout the party.
Mr.. johnson did not at that time expect TO
leave his party. 1t was rather his ambition
to bring it over to the support OF his policy
and make himself its actual leader us well as
official head He found here and there post
master ready to do his bidding in the matter
Of setting up nominations and packing CON
vcntions There was one in Hartford, blithc-
hearted person Of a somewhat volatile temper
amcnt. who during the war had not only run
he Hartford post-oliice but had spent much
lime in Washington, where he had what pol
itcians call a pull - on the Navy Department
and an extensive acquaintance in the lobby, by
means OF which he was enabled TO assist in
the vigorous prosecution of the war" It
none of his opportunities.
Very early in the ycar-the election beng
in Apr-the postmaster, approaching the ad
vantage of Icing the first to name the coming
man, began casting about for the candidate
most likely to succeed with the view of putting
HIM under Obligations by leading off in his
favor He fixed upon the Hon. Henry b. Hdr-
rson, of New Haven. His next step Vas 10
90 over to Norwich and induce his friend the
Editor Of The Norlcich Bulletin to come Out
for Harrison Get III early" said he in his
eager way, come out with an article tomorrow
morning; he is sure to be nominated. and It
will he a great thing for he Bulletin to be
able 10 say that IL was the first paper in the
State to bring him forward" 1t was agreed
hat this should be done, and accordingly the
next day the paper came out with flaming
article in favor Of Harrison. 1t should be SAID
hat one reason for the pOstmastcrs activity
was that a Hartford gentleman had been men
toned for the nomination with whom he had
auarelled, and he was very anxious to head him
off. The Harrison boom went along swim
mingly for a day or two, when il was inter
lnptcd by a suggestion that General Hawley.
who had Just returned from the war; would for
that could be nominated. 1t was eagerly caught
up. The postmaster saw the danger and JIM
mediatcly set out TO put himself at the head
Of the Hawley movement
Hurrying over to Norwich he went straight
10 his friend the editor. "Look here" said he,
they're taking up Joe Hawley for Governor
and il that's once started hcill be nominal cd
sure nothing on earth can stop it. The thing
to do is to come out for him in to-mOrow's
Bulletin. There's no time to lose" Great
Scott y said the bcwidcrcd editor, "what arc
YOU up to now 1t isn't week since you were
here talking the same way about Harrison.
| have come out for Harrison already. l can't
come out for both Of them." "Oh never mind
thai" said the pos mastcr, "nobody remembers
anything about it. Hdwley has got a sure
thing, and the thing for The bulletin to do
is to get in ahead of everybody else" He
failed to persuade the editor. however. who in
sisted that the proper way was to see Harrison
and have him take himself out of the way. To
this the postmaster al last reluctantly con
scntcd The two went 10 New Haven and
arranged the matter with Harrison, and the |
postmaster put himself in charge Of the Hawley |
boom. Hawlcy was nominated. Politics began
to look mixed. Mr.. Johnson was beginning
to lay back his cars and kick. James E. Eng
lish was nominated by The Democrats, and he
at once put himself in communication with |
johnson. Then he communicated with the
postmaster.
And then the postmaster took the stump for
English. This was too much for his friend
The bulletin editor. who thcrcupon published
the story of the postmasters performances,
describing that person as "Frsky Ananias.'
The fitness Of the name was manifest that
IL stuck. The postmaster has since been known
as the "FrIsky Ananias." He chung to Gov |
crnor Englishs fortunes through the defeat Of
that year and the success of the next; but
when the Governor gave him the cold shoulder
al the election parade and took Boss Tweed
In his stead into the carriage with him, he
wept copously into the bed Of the harrington
Canal and ''cussed with exceeding vigor
Inc whole English dynasty.
The Democrats Of Connecticut nominated
he "Frisly Ananias" himself for Governor