The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-27
Especial Observation-Disclosures. |

minister the territorial government The
80 called full tide of successful expert
ment, and under it the principal offices
In the territories, both executive and
Judicial had been filled by men from
the older states, whose chief merit had
been their service to the dominant party.
Letter to President jackson.
Mr. Jones had been college mate with
Stokley Donelson-President Jackson's
adopted son-and when IL youth of 10
had served as sergeant of the bodyguard
of "Old Hickory" on the occasion of his
passing through Kentucky when on his
way to Washington as senator elect from
Tennessee in November, 1923, but he had
next to no personal acquaintance with
the autocrat whose mere 'by the Eternal"
made and unmade SO many political for
tunes. MIR. Jones keenly felt the injus-
tice that was being done to the west by
incompetent officials, and he accordingly
lndited 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.
Mr.. Jones had just taken his seat i'm
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, Mr.. Jones inquired for what he
was wanted, and then Donelson, netting
his surprise and perceiving chance for
practical joke, replied, old you not
write him threatening letter yesterday
about the appointments in the new ter
ritOry?" Mr.. Jones answered that he
wrote the president IL letter, but he hoped
it was not considered impertinent or i'm
polite. at was both" said Donelson.
1T put General Jackson into fury, and
he has told ME to come here and asl, you
70 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 Il letter as no other man in CON
gress would dare to write. advise you
to go ut once and make peace with him.
Smoking a Corncob Pipe.
With no doubt the thought in his
mind that his whole political future was
at stake, Mr.. Jones hurried into n hack
and was driven rapidly to the White
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 this
abode of republican royalty, he found
the president seated with his back to the
door, both feet elevated upon Il table and
quietly smoking corncob pipe with q
cane stem some three or four feet long.
Without changing his position the smoker
said. Take seat. my SON." and at this
point Mr. Jones naivcly remarks. Il did
go becuUse lny knees tremblel. and |
could scarcely stand upright for Colo
mel Doneson had made me believe that
had offended linn Then Jackson went
OIL. i have rc:.1 your letter my son. and
II doe honor TO- your head and Your heart.
But II has always been the custom to fill
tie piiccs il The new territories from
citizens of the states The office Of gov.
ernor IL IL %er important and RESPONSE.
bic one, fo' not nnly commander
in CHI -. .s militia Of fhc territory,
but all" ox-Di..c.n superintendent of In
dian affairs. Have you any man quail.
fed to fill that officer
Yes. sir answered Mr.. Jones. II
have the Lest qualified man in the coun-
try"
"What is his namet" asked jackson.
General Henry Dodge" replied Mr..
Jones.
Looking up to the ceiling and putting