The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-07
JOHN w~ANAMAKER's WORK.
His Relations to the Campaign and His
Present Position.


Present Position.
Washington Special in Philadelphia Ledger.
There has been asgreat deal of gossip in
the newspapers lately about the relations
of Mr.. Wanamaker n General Harrison,
and statements have been made from time
to time that Mr.. Wanamaker was selected
merely upon the recommendation of Sena-
tor Quay as the chairman of the national
committee, and that .Wanamaker was a
shifting quantity; There has not been,
from the time Mr.. Wanamaker's name was
presented by Mr.. Quay the slightest doubt
as to his selection, nor has General Har-
rison at any time even contemplated sub
stituting anyone else for the Philadelphia
merchant. No man knows better than
General Harrison the character, extent and
value of Mr.. Wanamaker's services in the
campaign. He Will go into the Cabinet,
not as the representative of Mr.. Quay and
upon his sole recommendation, but upon
the unanimous endorsement of the national
committee, and because Mr.. Wanamaker
has developed business qualities and large
executive ability that mark him as a man
competent to discharge any public duties
that may be assigned TO him. Immediately
following the close of the campaign. and
before the name of Mr.. Wanamaker had
been presented for a Cabinet place, q
member of the national committee said tn
me-:
prior to this campaign / never met Mr..
Wanamaker. i knew of him in a general
way as an enterprlslng bushes man OF
Philadelphia, who had by his own industry
and effort placed himself at the head of
American merchants. knew that he had
no experience in politics, or with public
affairs, and had never thought of him in
connection with the administration of a
government office. nor do 1 believe that
Mr.. Wanamaker himself ever contemplated
such a thing while he was performing such
efficient service during the campaign. In
all great emergencies there is developed
some one particular man who stands head
and shoulders above all others. John
Wanamaker is the development of this last
campaign. ] have had active experience
in many political campaigns, State and
national, and have never met a man of such
extraordinary force as Wanamaker. His
industry is untiring. His Iabors in the
campaign were .unceasing and directed
with q remarkable degree of sagacity. He
never seemed to grow weary, and performed
an amount of physical labor that no one
would expect him capable of doing. His
Judgment was never wrong. and his
courage and confidence never wavered. As
i have said before, John Wanamaker is the
personal development of the last campaign,
and 1 know of no man in this country
President of the United States, in pre-
ference to him."
/ believe that this gentlemen correctly
represented the sentiment of his colleagues
which he briefly outlined, the committee
unanimously recommended him to the
President-elect to administer the great and
growing business of the Postoffice Depart
ment. General Harrison evidently re-
cognized these facts, and having selected
him after full elaboration and a know
ledge of the character and qualities of the
man, it is not likely that the President
elect has, at any time, contemplated sub
~stituting some one else merely TO accom-
mOdate the demands of geographical sec
tiOns and to crafty the wishes and promote
the ambitions of party leaders.