Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-07-28
Cousin of the President Mo-
lines Postmaster.
The APPOINTMENT IS MADE
Congressman Prince Went to
Recommend Eastman.
But the Executive Had Other
Ideas in Mind.

George H. Mckinley, cousin of the
president, was yesterday designated
bv the latter as postmaster at Mo-
line A Washington dispatch says
that in view of the emergency that
existed. in consequence of the deter
mination on the part OF the depart
ment to remove POSTMASTER McEniry |
on the ground of "serious charges"
that Congressman Prince called at
the White house Yesterday to recon-
mend Editor w F. Eastman. of the
Dispatch. but that the president If
ter considering all three candidates
with MIR. Prince, decided to favor his
cousin. G, orge H. Mckinley. The
dispatch says that Eastman's petit
ness and professional men i'm impressed
Prince as the strongest, Gen. Glen
denim being backed by the old SOL
diers largely aud Mckinley by the
laboring men. The Chicago Tri-
bune's Washington special today
says Of the appointment: Moline.
ILL.,. will have a cousin of the pre.i-
dent. named George H. Mckinley,
for its post mn ster, thus settling the
triangular ii ght for this office, which
has been wsged tiercely and relent-
lessly. An intimation WAS given
Congressman Prince, in whose dis
trlct the Office is located. that the Sc
lection of mir. Mckinley would be ac-
ceptable at the White house and the
Illinois congressman bowed to the
inevitable. Gen. Clendenin and Ed
itor Eastman we're the other appli-
cants. and both we're strongly sup.
ported by leading republicans. Mr..
Eastman is chairman of the Rock
Island county committee and Gen.
Clendenin was backed by the old SOL
der element. On the other hand
Me-. Mckinley was urged f.r the
postmastership by the labor element
in the district. and he is foreman
in one Of the big foundries of that
on his relationship 10 the president,
and in fact would not permit his
name to be mentioned to his relative.
PIince Acted Wisely.
"When the papers in the case came
to the White house, however, the
president noticed that his cousin was
an applicant. and at once made IN
quiries in regard to his standing
among his neighbors. Upon learn
ing that he was in every respects a
worthy citizen and q credit to his
family the president suggested to
Congressman Prince that it would
not be at all out of place for him to
recommend MIR. Mckinley for the
postmastership There was need
for a new official at Moline, and it wa
understood that if the congressman
from the district did not recommend
Mr.. McKinley's appointment the
president would exercise his pre-
rogative and make 1t a personal m at
ter in the interest of his cousin.
Under these circumstances there was
nothing to do but grin and bear it.
and Moline's postmaster's name will
be Mckinley"
A Needless Trip.
As stated yesterday: George H.
Mckinley is enroute to Washington
and was due there at 1l:36 today,
while the president was due to leave
for Lake Champlain at Loon. So
that the Moline man had but four
minutes in which to see his distin-
lguished relative. unless he chased
lover to Jersey City after him. Oh
course the statement that Cousin
George desired his relationship con-
cealed from the president is slig htly
at variance with the facts in the
case, as he spent some time at Can.
ton last summer and he did not send
his petition in under q ii :titious
name. At all events, his identity
has been established fully as clearly
as il he had been in Washington a
day sooner. The appointee is fore.
man Of the Moline Pillow company's
foundry, and while he has been q re
publican. having served as super
visor two years ago. he was out
spoken in his views on the liver
I9uestion in the early campaign in
the spring of '96. declaring then be.
fore the parties were lined up on the
issue that he would not vote for his
cousin il he was nominated on . gold
4 platform.
1t is supposed that Mr.. McKinley's
appointment will take effect as soon
as his bond is fled. Postmaster Nc
Eniry's term would have expired
July next.
Not Dony.