Evening star., 1897-04-14
How Mr.. Meiklejohn's Nomination
Was Brought About.
SENATOR qHURSrONS GOOD WORK
Those Who Called on the Presi-
dent Today for Office.
WHAT MAY BE EXPECTED

A deeply interesting story attaches to the
unexpected nomination today Of George d.
Meiklejohn as assistant secretary of war
1t Is a story which places another feather
In the cap of Senator Thurston of Nebras-
ka, and shows him to be not only a man of
great ability and insight, but possessing
enough good luck to be charged with hav-
ing dozen rabbit feet
Senator Thurston went to the White
House early this morning with not an idea
but that John s. Martin of Brattleboro',
VT, had been selected for assistant secre-
tary of war. While there he learned that
Mr.. Martin had declined. He Immediately
set to work for Meiklejohn and convinced
the President that the Nebraskan would
NIL the place to the satisfaction of every
body. In short time Meiklejohn's nomi-
ration was decided on.
John +. Martin, the Vermont man to
Wnom the place was offered yesterday,
was in Washington last Saturday on his
way to Texas, where he has business in
terests. After he left here Senator Proctor
suggested his name to Secretary Alger and
PRESIDENT Mckinley as good man for the
place. 1T was decided to offer him the
place, and the offer was telegraphed Mr.
Martin yesterday. Last night Senator
Proctor received telegram from Mr.. Mar
tin. who is in Texas, saying he was afraid
it would conflict with his business interests
This morning Senator Proctor received an
other telegram from Mr.. Martin, declin-
ing the place with thanks. Senator Proctor
Immediately went to the White House and
conveyed the information to the President
The chief executive promptly sent for Sec
retary of War Alger, and there was quite
little conference. Senator Thurston was
already on the ground, having gone to the
White House, as stated, on other business.
He quickly caught on to the situation and
pressed Mr.. Meiklejohn's name, with what
success is shown.
Several weeks ago. after the position of
assistant secretary of war had been Of
fered by the President to and refused by
Gen. John W. Cowan and John L. Weo-
ster, both of Nebraska, Senator Thurs,on
presented to the President the name of
Mr.. Meiklejohn. The President told Sen
ator Thurston that while he had good
opinion of Mr.. Meiklejohn, he would like
to give the place to an old soldier. That
was more than two weeks ago. The at
terhpts since then to get suitable man
and veteran are well known. Not wish
ing to longer delay the matter, and know
ing Mr.. Meiklejohn TO have a good rec
ord, the President decided in less than an
hour OH his appointment. 1t is understood
lat the nomination of Frank S. Partridge
has never been under consideration because
of his ill health.
A Swarm of Visitors.
White House in point of visitors. At noon
the rooms leading to those of the President
and his secretary were packed with people
who wanted the ear of the President. From
10 o'clock until noon the arrivals outnum-
bered those of previous days by a good
many. Congressman were out in large
numbers, but many did not get to see the
President because of the conference he was
having with Secretary Alger about the
Eomination of Mr.. Meiklejohn.
Virginia Men as Callers.
Representative Walker of Virginia called
at the White House with Col. Henry Bow
ell, j. McH. Gish and ]. S. Gillespie Col.
Bowen is candidate for marshal of the
western district of Virginia, while Mr.. Nc
Gish wants to be minister to Haiti.
Georgia men were cut in full force at the
White House, led by Col. E. A. Buck With
Col Buck were Col. H. P. Farrow, who
wants good place of some kind and Nav
or CASTOR of Gainesville, who wants moth
ing, having the honor of being a republic an
mayor in a democratic city. w. A. Piedger,
the colored politician who wants to be con-
sui at Jamaica, and who thinks he will get
the place, was a caller.
Representative Evans of Kentucky in
troduced to the President H. c. Bonnycas-
tie, kentuck1an who wants an army an
pointment.
He Looks Like Cleveland,
A man who resembles ex-President Cleye-
land enough to have often been taken 70,
him was at the White House today. He
was closely watched by the assemblage
which was gathered. He is Dr. F. Ziegfelj
president of the Chicago Musical College.
He was with Senator Mason of Illinois.
Dr. Ziegfeld is candidate for the consul
ate at Berlin. He is strongly hacked and
is an able man.
Representative Livingston of Georgia
went to the White House with Rev. l. S.
hopkins, one of the best-known ministers
OF the south. DIR. Hopkins supported Nc
kinley in the last campaign. He is an ap-
plicant for the Greek mission.
Il Is understood that American manufac-
tLrers are putting before the President the
Importance of having business men and
Americans appointed to consular places in
South America. One of these places, the
mission to Bogota, Colombia, is now under
consideration. 1t is charged that the pres
ert representative is an Englishman in
terested in English business houses. Amer
ican manufacturers don't like this. The
two leading applicants for this mission are
VIM. C. Lyons of Ohio and Charles B.
Hart, editor of the Wheeling, W. Va, In
telIigencer.
Representative Mitchell of New York saw
the President and introduced to him Col.
Charles w. Swift of New York city, a
popular republican, who is strongly backed
for the Belfast consulate. Col. Swift has
the backing Of all the New York factions.
Representative Wilson also SOW the Presi-
dent in behalf of Col. Swift.
Representative Fischer Of New York
asked the President to appoint Wallace
Bruce of Brooklyn as consul to Glasgow.
Mr.. Bruce is solidly supported from New
York. He was the consul at Edinburgh
under President Harrison, and was instru-
mental in the erection of a monument at
Edinburgh to President Lincoln.
Senator Platt talked with the President
about New York appointments. There las
been an agreement between the represen-
tatives in the lower house as to, appoint
rnents and Senator Platt wanted the Presi-
dent TO carry out the agreement, which
will probably be done.
The Next Batch of Nominations.
1t is expected that the next batch Of
nominations will contain the names Of the
successors of some If rot all the demo-
cratic accounting officers of the Treasury
Department. There are the controller and
assistant controller of the treasury and
six auditors and their assistants. all pres
idential offices with good salary attach
ments. Mr.. Timme of Wisconsin has been
already appointed auditor for the State De-
partment, but that is the only one Of the
accounting offices where a change has
been made since the incoming of the pres
ent administration. These Offices are in
particularly great demand. and 1t is esti-