The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-20
TIE RISE OF wANAMAKER.
How the Rich Haberdasher Became
Postmaster General
Fr0m the Nel0 York World.

From the Nelo York World.
WASHINGTON, July 16.-An interesting
recital Of a bit of recent history was heard
yesterday. If news is, however, the pri-
mary publication of events Of contempora-
neous interest, the story is as fresh as a
daisy. 1t involves the making of cabinet
minister 1t also goes back to the days If
the last presidential campaign. The scene
is Pennsylvania, and two Of the principal
characters are the noted statesman Of
Beaver. Matthew Stanley Quay, and the
! thrifty haberdssher, John w anamaker.
| The familiar fact that S40O, 900 was raised
| by business men of the Quaker City and
! elsewhere to swell tne campaign fund of the
republican national committee is generally
| known to newspaper readers. The prime
mover in securing contributions to the fund
was Thomas Doan, the wealthy Phila-
delphia manufacturer. A committee,
| of which he was the chairman, fried the
| fat and tried the lard. They collected in all
a sum something in excess of 100000 for
the purpose of throwing the weight of gold
in the balance when the critical hours Of
the presidential canvass were reached.
TIE committee decided to employ an agent
Of their own to disburse the fund. They
had great confidence in the brilliant politi-
eel genius of the junior Pennsylvania sena-
tor, but the plain, practical business men
preferred TO have one of their own ilk TO
spend the money. Canny John Wanna
maker was selected.
The impression prevails in the land that
Wanamaker personally contributed largely
to the great corruption fund. This idea is
erroneous. His individual subscription, 80
far as the wisest know, was $4,000. The
money was placed subject to his individual
check. During the latter hours Of the cam
paign capny John made frequent pilgrim
nAO i
in bank ready for his call. The journey
between the Chestnut street emporium and
the national republican headquarters was a
short one and to and fro went the custodian
of the great corruption fund. He carefully
noted all of the vouchers, and all checks
were signed by the cautious treasurer
The statesman of Beaver, at the head Of
the committee, was Obliged to show cause
for every item that required money pay
ment. That the corruption fund was placed
where it did the most good for the Repub
lican party the results of the election in
New York city and Brooklyn demonstrated.
When it appeared that the Hoosier lawyer
| was beyond question elected President of
the United States the Philadelphia pro-
moters of the corruption fund, especially
| Thomas Dolan, were in "high jinksn over
the success of their venture. At meeting
| of the committee, with Mr.. Dolan in the
chair, the several gentlemen present felici-
tated themselves over the triumph of their
| candidate. Chairman Dolan was disposed
to congratulate himself and everybody
else. He informed the committee that the
success Of the Republican party was due to
their liberality and zeal, and that they
or, to take a broader view, the state Of
Pennsylvania-were entitled at least to
one place in the cabinet One and all
echoed the chairman.
| Who shall it bes Mr.. Dolau said he had q
| name to propose He hoped, nay. he felt
confident that every gentleman present
would agree with him. Finally he named
| our own Wanamaker Straightway the
| makers Of statesmen cheered and exclaimed
that it was altogether the proper caper to
convert the successful spender Of the cam
paign Doodle into a full-hedged minister OF
| the state.
"He is the man for Postmaster Genera
or, for that matter, Secretary of State, anC
ali the other cabinet officers rolled into
one" cried the enthusiastic Mr.. Dolan.
Then he said "We had best send for
Quay"
That silent statesman was resting seren,
amid the laurels of victory at his home BY
the tur5id Ohio. He repaired to Philadel-
phia soon after be had received lette
from Mr.. Dolan requesting his presence a
an adjourned meeting of the committee. O.
course, Quay believed that Pennsylvania
| ought 10 nave place III the CABINET. 30 Ial
as he was concerned he would like to fill
every office in the government with Penn
sylvanians Mr.. Dolan informed Mr. Qua,
that he had a name TO offer. lie, too, had
candidate-one whom me could use ant
through whom he could fill up the depart
ment with his own favorites. FINAL
Chairman Dolan named Wanamaker Qua,
bit his lip, maintained his reputation 70
silence and agreed to submit the wishes Q
the Doodle committee to Gen. Harrison
| The result is known to all.
This story was related by a gentlema
who was in position to know all about th
transactions above stated.