The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-19
He Wanted General Jackson, Pipe.


ford's. Stanford, am told, called upon the
President to urge the appointment of
friend of his but he could get no satisfac-
ton regarding it. That same afternoon the
appointment was sent into the Senate. and
il is said that it had left the White House
before Senator Stanford made his call. You
could never tell from HarrisOn's actions or
his face on which side of a question he was.
He prided himself on the iron mask which
he wore over his feelings. and he argued
against the matters which he most APP
prove. He bulldozed to a certain extent
his Cabinet, and the only man who had the
nerve to stand out against him en- all occa-
sons was Jeremiah Russ, the Secretary of
Agriculture. In plain language Uncle Jerry
would take a common-sens view of every
question. and he would hammer it into Har-
ris0u. Harrison would fight him Ut til he
left the White House, and then, in nine
cases out OF ten. would adopt Uacle Jerry's
view of the situation. | was talking the
other day with confidential employee of he
PoSiOilice Department about this matter,
and he said that this view was the same as
that held by General Clarkson. Said he:
"ClarksOn got to dislike Harrison very
much before he left the postoffice. His
generous nature and kindly soul was the
reverse OF that of his chief and | remember
that one day he came into my office with
bundle OF papers in his hand. He had been
up to see the President about some postal
appointments. As we chatted together he
picked up the papers and said: President
Harrison IS the queerest man | have ever
met | have been al the White House TIA &
ing with him bout some offices which were
To be given to his friends. / know that the
men who were to have the offices were his
friends and | had selected them with that
view. As he looked over the appointments
he found some objections TO each of them
and at last l drew myself up in my chair to
his surprise and said to him: "Mr. Presi-
dent tho aharaatar I hav
ever met. Why. it seems to make You
grunt to do favor for friend / don't
understand ii. II always makes me happy
to obllge my friends. but it seems to make
you miserable to do likewise" ~"
1t is funny to note how Offices have been
gotten in the past Cleveland cannot be
tlattered very easily, but some of the best
offices OF other administrations have been
secured in this way. Andrew jackson
gave a great many to tOadying offiee-see kers
and oftice-seekers are the greatest toadies in
existence. One day during Jaekson's ad-
mlnlstrailOn a man called at the White
House and found jackson smoking an old
clay pi e. He began TO talk OF tobacco,
and after he had discussed the weed for
few moments said:
"Mr. President. 1 want to ask favor of
you"
And what place is thatP ?" said Jackson,
fr0wDing as he saw what he had thought 10
be friendly call change into an Office
seeking visit
'Ah," replied the cringing offiee-seeker.
Il am not an applicant for position. At
least not now, but my good father is as fond
oil tobacco as you are, and lie tod me when
l came to Washington TO tell you it would
be the proudest day OF his life if he could
have present from you of one OF your
pipes"
jackson hereupon ordered the servant to
bring him fresh pipe and offered this to
the visitor. The 0ffice-seeker refused it
md Sgih Dr. -
the one you are using. Give it me just as il
is, with the ashes smoking within it, and
you will receive the everlasting thanks of
my dear father"
Jackson handed him the pipe and the
man wrapped it up In Il silk handkerchief
and. saying. ION, thank you. thank you"
aud bowed himself out Jackson was de-
lighted and when the mans name came be-
fore him few days after as an applicant
Tor an important place in the Treasury De-
partment he gave II to him.
Little things had great Influence with
General jackson and the y0ung man who
came here to get an appointment lost his
chance BY. making frreverent remarks TO
President jackson about O sermon which
the two heard together.
The most of the Government clerks at
Washington are good pay and you will not
lind more reputable set of people any,
where. There are now and then, however.
some who refuse to settle their board bills.
anu tulS IcmllluS HE Ol now andrew Jack
son fixed a case of this kind. ] think it
was q clerk In the Treasury Department
who had run behind with his board bill and
who. when he vas some months in arrears.
gave note for Its payment The note
went 10 protest aud the woman failed tn
get payment Finally she went TO the
White House and called upon the Pres-
dent. Old Hickory received her kindly and
as she told her story his eyes snapped.
When she was through he requested her 70
go back and get the clerks note for the en-
tire amount that was due her. She replied
that his note was not good and that il
would only entail the cost of n protest.
President Jackson assured her that this
time there should be no such expense, but
said that she must bring the note over to
the White House. She did so and the
President. wrote on the back Andrew
Jackson"
Now. madam" said he, "Dut that in the
bank and we Will see whether the clerk or
will have to pay you that money"
When the clerk saw the note he was
scared half to death. He paid it instanter.
and then went TO the White House and
promised Jackson that he would reform.
President Cleveland is having less trouble
with the 0ffice-seekers than any of his pre-
decessors.. His action during his first term
has helped him to dispose of them. President
Harrison never allowed office-seekers TO
bother him and the civil service examina-
tions have scared of good many. Pres
ident William Henry HArris0 On was worried
to dsath by the office-seekers, and when
Zach Taylor WAS nominated troop of Office
seekers followed him on his way to Wash
lpgtun, and one Of them actually slipped his
application into Zach's trousers pocket
without his knowing it. They worried him
almost to death after he got here aud it has
been the same with all the Preside down
to Cleveland. Garfield was killed by an
offiee-seeker, and it was all Office holder who
pulled Andrew JackSon's nose. James
Buchanan had way of taking mans
papers and chatting to him about other sub
jrcts in such friendly manner that he was
sure he was going to get his place. but he
never granted such applications. General
Grant often promised appoin tmens which
were never given, and his drafts were not
always honored by his Cabinet Ministers.
Postmaster-General Jewell, it is said, once
told an applicant who brought recon-
mendation from General Grant that the
President had but little influence in this
matter, and that he was running the Post
office Department.
Speaking Of recommendations one Of the
QueeTest cases ever heard of WAS that re-
latiug TO Tom COrwin. who was Secretary
of the Treasury. He had been 10 Congress
before this and had given ont letters of rec
0mmendation to Office seekers rather
freely. Among others he gave one to
man for place in the Treasury Depart
ment. The man took it, but failed to get
the appointment. When Corwin was ap-
pointed Secretary of the Treasury he
bobbed up serenely and asked for place.
what recommendations have you?" said
Corwin.
II have this" was the reply, and the man
thereupon put before the Secretary of the
Treasury his own Endorsement which was
signed TON C0rwin."
And did this not get you an appointment
under the former Secretary?" asked Mr..
Corwin.
No" was the reply, ut did not"
well, II it wasn't strong enough to get
You place them" answered the genial
Tom. II don't think it ought to be strong
enough TO give you place now" and he
refused to give the man the place.
Ir.r.,r cd a..