The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-03-26

minister the territorial government The
~ called -fuli tide of successful expert
ment," and Under it the principal Offices
Ito the territories. both executive and
judicial had been filed By men from
the older states. whose chief merit had
been their service to the dominant party
s. Letter to President jackson.
Mr. Jones had been q college mate with
Stolzlev Donelson-P President JacksQn's
adopted son-and when a youth Of 10
had served as sergeant Of the bodyguard
Of cold Hickory" on the occasion Of his
passing through Kentucky when on his
way to Washington as senator elect from
Tennessee Ia November, 1928. but he had
next to no personal acquaintance with
the autocrat ~ hose mere .by the Eternal"
made and unmade 50 many political for
tunes. Mr.. Jones keenly felt the injus-
tice that was being done to the west by
incompetent officials, and he accordingly
indited a letter to President Jackson
couched IN respectful terms, but protest
ing firmly against the system Of nonresi-
dent appointments and claiming that the
offices for Wisconsin should be given to
citizens of that territory.
DIR Jones had just taken his seat in
the house of representatives on the fol-
lowing morning when he was approach
ed by Colonel Andrew Jackson DOnel-
son. the private secretary of General
jackson. with the remark that the presi-
dent desired to see him. Considerably
surprised. MI Jones inquired for what he
was wanted, and then Donelson, noting
his surprise and perceiving a chance for
a practical Joke, replied Did you not
write him a threatening letter yesterday
about the appointments IN the new ter
ritOry7' Mr.. Jones answered that he
wrote the president letter, but he hoped
it was not considered impertinent or Inn
polite. *It was both" said DOneIson.
sit put General jackson into a fury, and
he has told me TO come here and ask you
to call on him. He wants to see if you
can talk to him as you have written.
You have greatly angered him-written
him such q letter as no other man in con-
gress would dare to write. + advise you
to- 90 at once and make peace with him"
Smoking q Corneob Pipe
With no doubt the thought ia his
mind that his whole political future was
at stake. Mr. Jones hurried into a hack
and was driven rapidly to the " hite
House. Arriving there, he sent his name
UP to the president and was told by the
messenger, who soon returned. that he
was alone in his room Entering TINS
abode of republican royalty, he found
the president seated with his back to the
door. both feet elevated upon table and
quietly smoking a corncob pipe with
cane stem some three or four feet long.
Without changing his position the smoker
said. take a seat, my son. and at this
point Mr. Jones naively remarks, "a did
SO because my knees trembled, and
could scarcely stand upright, for Colo
mel Donelson had made me believe that I
had offended him" Then jackson went
on. 81 have read your letter. my son. and
it does honor TO your head and your heart.
But it has always been the custom to ill
the offices in the new territories from
citizens Of the states. The Office of gov
ernor is very important and response
bic one. for he is not only commander
In chief Of the militia of the territory
but also ez-offcio superintendent of In
dian affairs. Have you any man quail
fed to fu that officer
Eyes, SIR answered AIr. Jones. 'sI
have the best qualified man ia the coun-
try"
ssVhat is his manner asked Jackson.
General Henry Dodge" replied Mr.
Jones.
Looking up to the ceiling and putting