Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-07
HAYES SOUTHERN PLEDGEs.
How He Hunted for an Available Cabi.
net Officer.

How He Hunted for an Available Cabi.
net Ohicer.
Mr.. Hayes made several pledges to the
Southern Congressman, in return for their
offer to stand by him and see that be was
inaugurated, says Ben: Perley POOre, one
Of them being that Southern man should
have a seat in his Cabinet. 1t was also
seriously considered by many Republic
cans whether or not it would be good
policy to offer Gen. Joseph Il. Johnston a
place in the Cabinet. Many prominent
men strongly urged such course. The
old officers ef the army. beginning with
Gen. Sherman, were enthusiastic for his
appointment. After much discussion the
intention was very reluctantly abah.
dOned. EX-GOV. and ex-senator Alcofn,
OF Mississippi, was also strongly pressed.
But the President said that he preferred
to identify conservative Southern men
with his policy. The only thing which
prevented Gov. Alcorn's being seriously
considered for Postmaster General was
his political faith. The President did not
want a Southern Republican in the Caoi-
net. 5J1
On Sunday, Feb. %, Gov. John G. Brown
was offered a seat in the Cabinet about to
be formed. After considering the matter
a day or two he declined il. He stated
that he had promised the southern people
to use his best endeavOrs to give them
railroad to the Pacific, and that he be-
lieved he should succeed, and be held his
promise paramount to any official posi-
ton.
The Southern Congressmen advocated
the appointment of Gen. Walthall, gal
liant soldier and an able lawyer, but it
was not certain that he could be con-
firmed by th9 Senate, so it was agreed all
around thatthe place of Postmaster Cen
eral should be given to Dave Key, OfTen-
nessee. He had just before served in the
Senate for a year, by appointment OF the
Governor OF Tennessee, as the successor
of Andrew johnson. and his known pop
ularity in that body rendered it certain
that his nomination would be confirmed,
as it was. The new POstm aster General
had found himself at the close of the war
in North Carolina very poorly off for
clothes, surrounded by his wife and six
children, also poor in raiment, without
dollar of money that would buy rasher
of bacon and a pint of cornmeal. He had
a few dollars Of Confederate money, but
1t WAS not worth the paper it was printed
upon. Nearly every body about him was as
poor as he was, and the suffering through
the section OF the State in which he found
himself was very great. he had nothing
in the world but half-starved mule that
had been his war-hOrse for many months.
This was before the days of the commune,
and he didn't know that mule meat was
good; besides, he did not want to kill his
war-hOrse that had carried him through
so many deadly breaches. Before Judge
Key and his family, however, had reached
that point when prayers take the place of
hunger. relief came. An old resident Of
North Carolina heard of Keys necessities
and helped him out. He gave him seed
to sow, a shanty to live in and some land
to till, also a small supply OF bacon and
cornmeal.
The Judge then went to work. He beat
his sword into a DlOwsbare and he beat
his fiery charger into plOw horse. He
worked with his little family and lived
scantily the whole summer long. There
was no fancy farming about 1t. 1t was
hard work and small nubbins. When the
corn was sold the Judge had $50 in de-
spised Yankee greenbacks. He then ap-
piled to President Andrew johnson, who
was announcing that "treasOL is a crime
and must be punished" tor leave TO re-
turn to Tennessee, and be awaited a reply
with good deal OF apprehension. 1t
came in due course of mall very kind,
brotheTly letter, enclosing pardon.
Judge Key had not asked for this, and he
has since said that he was quite over
Whelmed.