The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-06

the least, an uncertainty. Still Foster was
very true man himself. He always
stuck to his friends. He had great faith
In other men, and he has all his life been
willing TODD great deal for his party and
his friends. he showed me the letter as
soon as he received it and we discussed the
situation. He slept upon tand finally came
to the conclusion that he would do exactly
as Garfield desired, provided he could have
the Ohio patronage for the next four years
to aid him in succeeding George II. Pendle-
ton. whose term in the Senate would eX-
pire by that time. The carrying out of
this plan required promises from both
Sherman and Garfield. The next day Cen
eral Jim Robinson was sent TO Washington
TO see II Sherman would agree to let Foster
have the patronage on this condition, and
we included to hear from him before say
ing anything to Garfield about it. We
waited couple of days and at last the dis
patch came:
"'All right at the Washington end of
the line.'
Il was then sent to Garfield to tell him
of the decision and to get his promise. l
called upon him at Mentor. A crowd was
In the room at the time / entered. could
see That he was very uneasy about some
thing. He talked to the other people, but
glanced Al me from time TO time with
questions in his eyes. At last he arose,
and walking up and down the room got
behind the others and crooked his right
index finger at Inc, motiOning me to come.
got up and he excused himself from the
rest and took ne into another room. AS
we sat down he put his nand ON my knee
and asked:
How about Charley Foster? How is
he feeling toward me and what is he 60
Ing to do about the matter concerning
which L wrote him"
=" L hen told Garfield what Fosters ideas
were. and that he would withdraw If he
could have an assurance from him and
Sherman that he could have the higher pat
ronage. General Garfield replied at once:
He don't need to ask Sherman about
tnat. will promise to give him all that
ONO has to get during my admin stratioD,
and !! will take care of him myself
But what will you do for him o /
asked.
"'Oh. he can have anything he wants.
responded Garfield. L will put him in the
Cabinet if he DESIRES
In what place in the Cabinet? asked l.
What place does he want?' said Gen.
eral Garfield.
81 think he would like to be Postmaster
General" said Senator Carron. This
would give him control of the patronage
and insure him his election to the Senate"
'''All right; he can have it, replied
Garfield, "and | took this news back to
Foster. Garfield put Foster down On the
slate as Postmaster General, and there is
no doubt but that he intended to give him
the place up to until six hours of his in
auguration. He even asked Foster to 20
with him from Ohio to Washington as a
part OF the Presidential party, but Foster
very wisely refused to do this"
How did he happen to change his
mind?" l asked
1T was through Conkling and his desire
to appeass him. Had he begun to fight
Conkling al the start and had taken Char
ley Foster in his Cabinet to help him. Gar
neld would be alive to-day. But his will
power was weak. He wanted to oblige
every one and he was afraid of Conkling.
Conkling had insisted that Levi P. Morton
should be Secretary of the Treasury. Gar
held refused to give him this place, but
offered him the portfolio of the navy.
Morton. who wanted the place for social
reasons. wrote TO Garfield accepting it,
d then went to Conkling and told MIN
what he had done. The Iordly Roscoe was
angry and he told Morton with a sneer that
ne must refuse the position. His power
over Morton was such that be did refuse it
ana wrote Garfield to that effect. think
Garfield got this news just about the time
he came to Washington. 1t worried him
greatly and he asked Conkling to come to
TO make Cabinet to suit him. and 1 think
that Conkllng proposed that Folger be put
in. This Garfield could not we'll do, and
Conkiing asked to see the slate. The list
OF Cabinet officers was handed to him. As
soon as his eye met the name of Charley
Foster as Postmaster General he said that
that appointment would not DO, and that
New York must have either the postoffice
or the treasury.
"'Well, whom do you want me to appoint
as Postmaster General?' ssid Garfield.
Appoint James-Thomas l.. James,
said Conkling. 'He has been Postmaster
OF New York and has record for the