The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-20
The Itch FOR OFFICE.
Ben Harrison Has Had II Ever
Since ths Days Or His
II - 81. Youth.


( T a &
Surface indications point to the fact that
the president Il looking after his political
fences and II beginning to understand that
he has Committed some serious blunders,
which he must now try to rectify. During
his senatorial career 10 was specially pune
tiliious with regard-to 'skenatorial courtesy
and the rights OF senators to control pat
ronage in accordance With the custom that
had prevailed It Waahington for long
series Of years He 40 very free in his
criticisms Of Meazs. Hayes, Garfield and
Arthur for delays and failures to comply
Immediately with his requests. Since he
congressman and bestowed patronage ac-
cording to his own sweet will.
In this way he has INQUIRE d the hostility
Of 9 large majority Of senators and me M
beers OF congress, who do not hesitate to
critioise his course in this regard. Occas-
whom sen ator. To such he smiles and
merely replies: Il recently acquired more
Information than then poss essed about
the positioni NOW occupy" He always
had: great confidence in Benjamin Harri-
son, and as a matter of fact he has run this
administ ration without the advice of any
hu man being. Since his election as pres-
dent he seems to have become possessed
tn the idea that he has a monopoly OF in
tegrity, political wisdom, knowledge of
men and sagacity for political manage
ment. Here he consults no one. He pro-
tests that he does not use the various de.
partments; yet be requires the cabinet tc
consult him about every appointment above
clerkship.
This is especially the case in all matters
personally distributed the patronage il
that state, and now perceives that the party
is not harmonious and that great dissatis-
faction exists. He attributes this to tn.
disappointments Of the office-seekers, ant
talks freely about the ingratitude of mer
he supposed were his friends. He realizes
that in order to secure renomin alton HI
must have the solid support of Indiana
His first and greatest mistake is his con
tempt for the Gresham men. He affects tt
believe that they are an insignificant guam
tity and has ignored them in appointments
and insulted the senator's from Illinois, t.
punish them for their support of Judge
Gresham at Chicago. He has shown his
vindictive and intently jealous nature
in this more than in any other ont
thing. During his canvas in
Northern Indiana, who preferred Gresham,
nomination he said: II am aware thai
most of you preferred another Indianian'l
nomina ton, but are now in harmony with
your party. Convention preferences are
free, and no prejudice should follow any re
publican On that account. Party men arr
Judged by ppst-convention conduct"
He knew he could not carry Indiana OF
Illinois without the aid of the Gresham
men, SO he treated them with great kind
ness during the canvass. His son and hi
to Chicago to solicit funds to carry Indiana
and / am told that sos, 600 was contributed
by the friends OF Judge Gresham at Chicago
to carry Indiana, their only reward being
refusal of the president to honor the re
quests Of the senators, as veil as the lead
in this regard has been such as to place tn
state in political jeopardy, and the best in
formed republicans in Illinois are fearful
that they will lose the state at the fall cleo
ton and that the democrats will secure
United States senator.
Harrison,s efforts are now directed to
ward strengthening the lines in Indiana
and for this purpose he has recently mad
. several appointments from counties whe1
theresare just. cause for complaint. On
Of his arguments to persons he does not q,
sire to appoint is that they have alread
had Office, and that they should be willin
to step aside for the present and let othe1
have an opportunity. He does not remen
Der that he has appointed large numb.
of the most inveterate Office holders in Il
country, and that he himself has either he
an office or been an applicant for one ev
einre he WAS of age. One Of harrison
most liberal and jealous supporters in l
diana was United States Treasurer Hu
ton. He desired to be = member OF Harl
sons cabinet, but the president ignored Il
claim and urged him to accept the office
treasurer Of the United States. Hustt
had the idea that the post was one OF gre
power and influence. and he a
cepted. He, however, was n
long in discovering that the treasu
of the United States is q mere clerk, ar
that he could control but one appointment
that of his private secretary. de soon b
came disgusted with his place, and it
well known that he intended resigning t
importuned the president and Sec reta
Window to appoint certain friends OF !
Who had been associated with him in a
Indiana canvass. He secured the apPPan
ment Of one man to 600 place atrll
the first year, and has been r1rsistent
urging the appointment. OF others ev
since. HusArik s1ne very res iest'ess, a. y
mr. IA ...va George w. Robinson for bal
SSS fneF. Robinson had been a bank.
had worked six months a. his private Gle
in the campaign without pay, and mu
have the place; but q small attorney, "
had no experience in the business, recelv
the appointment. Huston cursed al
swore to his friends in secret and laid
wires to secure nomination for conRrt
from the district in which he resided, b
was not successful.
Harrison saw that something must
done to satisfy Huston, SO after .castl
about he determined to remove DR.. Hay.
Indianapolis, who had succeeded Maj. n
Grain, brother-in-law of Judge GreshR
as chief of bureau in the treasury depa