Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-02
YIRGIRIA'S THREE JOHNS.
A Pathetic Story of Blasted Hopes
BUREAU or THE BALTIMORE J
AfIFnrHAN '

BUREAU OF THE BALTIMORE }
AMERICAN,
Washington, June 20. !
1t is often that the best laid
schemes of mice and men come to
naught, and the saying has never
been better illustrated than in the
Virginia appointments under this
administration. Exactly how the
President and Secretary of State
came to make the appointment OF
Mr.. Kelly for minister to Italy, and
then Austria, has never been
known but the first move in the
matter has just come to light, and
the developments in Mr.. John
Goodies fight for confirmation as
solicitor general have caused Il
great deal Of talk here. 1t is a good
story, and is worth the telling, as
it never has been published.
Soon after the Inauguration of
President Cleveland, the three
Johns of Virginia, Messrs. John
Randolph Tucker, John Goodc and
John 5. Barbour, held n little con
ference and decided what would
best suit them under the admins
tratiOn. After some talk, Mr.. John
X. Tucker said he would be satiSf.
ed to wait for the first vacancy on
the Supreme bench, q vacancy
which would soon occur by the re.
tlrement of Justice Bradley. Mr..
John ). Barbour said he would nc.
cept the senatOrshIp to succeed
Malone, and Mr.. John Goode
thought the Austrian mission
would suit him. Having TINS ar.
ranged things. it dawned upon
them that perhaps Mr.. Kelly would
object, and that he would become
a dangerous obstacle IN the ac-
complishment of their plants. He
might take it into his head to run
for senator, and thus iniure Mr..
BarbouT's plans, for Mr.. Daniel
was not thought of as possible
factor in the fight. The conference
took place in the National Hotel,
IN this city, and after some talk 1t
was progressed that Mr.. Kelly be
named tor consul to China to sue
coed Mosby. 4 Nirginian to sue
coed Virginian was just the thing
the tree Johns of Virginia thought.
Kelly was written to in regard to
the matter and decided to accept.
Then Messrs. John Goodc and
John Randolph Tucker started to
see Secretary Bayard on the mat.
ter. Mr.. Tucker was chosen spOkes-
man, when admitted to Mr.. Bay
ards private room, Mr.. Tucker
launched forth in behalf of Mr..
Kelly and his fitness for the cOnSu.
late to China. His appeal was elo.
quent, as all of Mr.. fuckers APP
peals are. Hepictured Mr.. Keily's
social position, his great services to
his party and state, his scholarship
and learning, remarking "AIr. Kelly
speaks French, German and Ital-
ian-."
He got no further. "IIold on,
said Mr.. Bayard "does Mr.. Kelly
speak Italian p
"Yes," replied Mr.. Tucker.
"Then he is the very man we are
looking for. We want just such a
man as you describe for the Ital
ian MISSION" said Mr.. Bayard.
The two Johns from Virginia
looked at each other.
81 expect that will suit You, aud
Mr.. Kelly will accept it = asked
Mr.. Bayard.
"Oh, yes,7 replied Mr.. Tucker.
"Then I'll appoint him." said Mr..
Bayard.
After thanking the Secretary of |
State, the two Johns from Virgin
ia withdrew.
Once outside the State Depart
ment, their disgust found vent.
"LoOk here, Rand" said John
Goode. lyon overdid the thing, you
gave Kelly too big a send.ofl.'
"Couldn't help it, said Tucker.
avon have only killed me- said
GoOde. "Virginla can't have the
Italian minister and the Austrian
Dne. too"
"NOt very well" said Tucker.
"What can we do = asked GoOdc.
"Lets 60 and see Barbour sug.
yested Tucker, and the two disgust
ID Johns went.
When Mr.. barbour heard of the
'esult of the mission, he looked
,rave and put on his thinking cap.
After a great deal Of thought, 1t
struck him that perhaps
he President might appoint Goode
general. SO, Tucker and
Barbour called on the President at
,nce. They succeeded. The APP
continent was made but Italy
md then Austria, refused Kelly as
minister. The Senate will prob
IDLY refuse to confirm GOode as
solicitor general. The State Of Yir-
,inia refused to make Mr.. Barbour
enator, and elected Daniel. John
randolph Tucker goes out Of Con
,ress soon, and he is then out in
he cold. A day or two ago the
hree Johns met again at the Ma
ional Hotel and compared notes,
nd voted themselves badly knock
a Ouf.