The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-26


Frank Hatton.
Department. The appointment of General
Rusk was made both on the grounds of
friendship, OF his peculiar efficiency for the
head Of the department for which he was
chosen ami as matter OF gratitude for his
action concerning the Chicago convention
AS soon as he saw there was no chance for
his own nomination he threw all his
strength to Harrison. and, sitting in his
Office in Madison. Wis, he kept the wires
between that city and Chicago hot with
kilograms to his friends to vote and work
for Harrison. Few of these appoint
ments were made until short time
before the inauguration, and three
were not settled upon definitely until Har-
rison came to Washington to be inaugu-
rated These were. think, the appoint
ments of Tracy, Wanamaker and Miller.
The President had about decided as to
them. but not positively. Mr.. Tracy had
impressed him as a big man and especially
fitted for the head of the navy. Miller had
long been associated with him in legal mat
ters and John Wanamaker had weight
through his great natural ability as bnsi-
ness man and the recommendations Of the
national committee President Harrison
decides things very slowly. He carefully
and judiciously weighs every point. and his
decisions are made through reason rather
slowly and carefully, and it seems to me
that his selection has proved to be a good
one."
Mr.. Frank Hatton. now editor OF the
Washington Post, was Postmaster-Genera
during the latter part of President Arthups
administration. He was one OF the first ap-
pointees that Arthur made, and he sent his
name as Assistant Postmaster General in
to the Senate at the same time he did that
of bis first Cabinet Minister. Secretary Fol-
ger. The relations Of President Arthur
and Frank Hatton were very close. and
President Arthur advised with him during
many matters of political policy from the
time of Garfeld's death TO the close OF his
term in the w hito House. | doubt whether
Arthur had truer friend or a more con-
scientious counselor.
| called upon Mr.. Hatton yesterday at the
Office Of the Post and had a chat with him
about the Cabinet and its appointment.
found him very Oldest in his expressions
concerning the matter, but his story was in
teresiing and l give ii as near as l can as he
gave it to me.
Said he: "You remember the circum-
stances OF President Garfield's death and
the temper of the party and of the country
concerning IT, There was strong feeling
against COnkling and Arthur. The leaders
OF the Republican party thought it had
gone to smash, and | don't believe that
Senators Sherman, Allison, Logan or any
Dental nomination tn fought at the time that
there was much hope Of its successful re-
vlvaL President Arthur understood the
situation and he managed his appointments
and his administration so ably thai he sue
ceeded in bringing order out of the con-
fusion and made possible the election of
Republican successor. When Garfield died
il was supposed that Arthur, representative
element of the stalwart party as he was,
would take Conkling into his Cabinet and
would choose men Of this faction tor all the
positions. This was the talk OF the news
papers. but when he came to make his ap-
polntments he rose above factions and con-
sidered the Interests of the country as
well as those of his friends. His adoption
OF the other course would have been de-
cdedly unsafe. A. the time General Arthur
entered upon his duties there was man
behind nearly every blade of grass in the
country who had an idea that somehow or
other he was mixed up with the assassna-
ton Of GARFIELD, and had he appointed
Conkiing he would have only added 10 the
facti0nal flames. As soon as he took hold
OF the administration the members of Gar
fields Cabinet sent in their designations.
He replied to them that he would like 10
have them hold their positions until he
could consider the matter carefully and
make other appointments. The first name
that he sent in to the Senate was that of
Governor Folger as Secretary of the Treas
ury and he gradually sent in other names
until the only man left of Garfieid's Cabi-
net was Robert Lincoln. He stayed until
the close of the administration.
Il was several times acting Postmaster
General before / was appointed and con-
frmed as such. When P0stmaster-Genera
Howe died was made acting Postmaster
General for ten days and was then deslg-
mated by the President to continue as
Postmaster General for ten days longer.
During this time some Of my friends. with
out my solicitation or knowledge. urged
President Arthur to appoint me Postmaster
General. l. of course. said nothing about
1t, but when was calling upon him at the
White House one day, he sad TO me: \ OIL
| would really be surprised at the number of
letters / have received asking for your APP
pointment as Postmaster General. What
have you to say about II, ana what would
you think Of such an appointments
ITO this | replied" continued Mr.. Hat
ton, That however much | might appreciate
ny appointment to such position, did
not think 1t would be an advisable one for
the President to make.
Il would like 10 know why not? was
President Arthur's reply.
"'Pli tell you why said /. Samuel j.
Kirkwood was in President Garfeld's Cabi-
net and you accepted his resignation. He
Is an old man, distinguished man, and a
much-loyed man in Iowa, and if you now
take young man aud an inexperienced
man from the same State KirkwoOd's
friends will think it is a reflection on him
and ii will be a very bad appointment for
you politically | then asked as to the
other men who had been recommended to
him and he showed me the list and asked
me who | thought was the best of them.
told him that as far as politics were con-
cerned that considered Judge Gresham of
Indiana as good appointment He comes
from good State said ], and he is, as far
as l know, popular. honest and able 1t
was not long after this that Judge Ores
hams name was sent in as Postmaster
General. | don't know that my words
about him brought about his selection. He
had many friends and there was a strong
movement in his favor.
''Then Secretary Folger died." General
Hatton went on, land Judge Gresham was
transferred from the postofice TO the treas
ury. l again became acting Postmaster
General, and was again designated to hold
the position ten days longer. At the close
of these ten days | received a note from
Fred Phillips, the private secretary of the
| President, saying that General Arthur
would like to see me ct the White House,
and that he intended to appoint me Post
| master General. | went up to the Execu-
| tive Mansion and found President Arthur
in Phillips room. the one which the Pres-
dent now occupies. He greeted me with
| the remark: Mr.. HattoD, in five minutes
| you will be Postmaster-Gener OF the
| United States. 1 have had your commits
| sion made out and 1t lies here on my
| table. All | have to do to COM
| plete the. appointment is TO affix my
signature just at this moment Sec
| rotary Robert Lincoln came and the Pres
| dent spoke TO him of other matters. and the
| three of us ehatted together for perhaps
| ten minutes. During this conversation the
| President did not say anything about my
! prospective appointment, and ], Of course,