The San Francisco call., 1897-06-22
At Last the San Fran
cisco Postmastership
Is Settled.
In Talking With the President
Senator Perkins Learned of
"UnCle Ben's" Visit.
During an Interesting Conversation
Mckinley Speaks of CaIifor-
MIA Patronage.

w WASHINGTON, D. c., juno 21.-sen-
ator Perkins went TO see the President to-
day and had a talk with him about Cali
fornia appointments. First he inquired
about the Postmastership of San Fran
cisco.
President Mckinley, in the press of
other business, had neglected to make the
appointment, although the California del
egaion Endorsed W. w. Montague for the
place nearly three weeks ago, as exclu-
sively wired to THE CALL.
The President said he would telephone
to the Postmaster General to see about it.
and while Senator Perkins was yet with
the President word came back that the
papers were at the White House.
They were found, and the nominate
OF Montague was Immediately sent to the
Senate with batch of other appoint.
ments that went in to-day.
During Senator Perkins interview with
the President he learned tnat Benjamin
+. Mckinley, the Presidents uncle, had
been In Washington.
This was news to the Senator, and it
appears to be news to the entire California
colony here. Uncle Mckinley probably
slipped into Washington and out again
unawares to anybody but his nephew, the
President of the United States.
The news of Uncle McKinley's visit
became known in this way. Perkins in
quired about the postmastership and
asked, laughingIy, If the relationship be-
tween the President and one of the appli-
cants for the Office would initiate against
the latter's appointm
The President replied in the same good
humored spirit: "He did not seem to
think so, for he told me the other day that
it was only once in great while that the
President of the United States had
chance to appoint his uncle to a Federal
Office"
Senator Perkins also learned positively
at the White House to-day that Irving B.
Dudley of San Diego would be appointed
Minister to Peru in few days, as exclu-
sively wired THE CALL six weeks ago.
Senator Perkins had gone to the Presi-
dent especially about the appointment of
a California friend as Consul to Shanghai,
China.
President Mckinley said he could not
make the appointment for he had al
ready selected man from another State
for Shanghai. President Mckinley said:
II think We have been doing a good deal
for California" and then he mentioned
the fact that the Golden State had an
able representative in the Cabinet.
Attorney General McKenua was present
during this interview, and Senator Per-
klns gracefully acknowledged this and
thanked the President for this honor ac-
corded California.
Then we have appointed two Califor-
mans as United States Judges" said the
President, with smile.
''Weli," said Perkins laughingly, ''our
State was entitled 10 these two appoint
ments. Gould they have been selected
from OhioT" asked the Senator.
The President continued: sThen, be-
sides, l am going to appoint Irving B.
Dudley of San Diego as Minister to Peru"
Senator Perkins, after a few pleasant
words with the President, left the White
House convinced that his friend would
not be appointed to Shanghai. He be-
lieves that his interview with the Presi-
dent indicates that California will not get
much, if anything more, in the way of
Federal patronage.
If this be true Mr.. RagsdaIe will not go
as Consul to Hongkong, Pacheco will not
be made Minister TO any country and pos
sAD4y CNcn 1AiCHSl IL Oe I Oung Will fail
in his am bition to be managing director
of the American exhibit at the Paris ex-
position, for which half million dollars
viii be appropriated by Congress.
1t is understood that the nomination of
Irving B. Dudley will be made at the
request of Colonel John D. spreckels.
who is yet in Washington. Mr.. Dudley
formerly resided in Ohio and, as a school
teacher. taught the little sons of Mark
Hanna.
Senator Perkins was not only very
much disappointed about the Shanghai
consulship, but regretted very much that
his good friend, William L. Merry, might
not be appointed Minister to Nicaragua.
Senator Perkins told the President to-
day that the people of California, Oregon
and Washington were almost unanimous
IN their desire that Captain Merry be
appointed on account of his ability ana
knowledge of shipping interests of the
Pacific Coast and his able efforts to pro-
mote the construction of the Nicaragua
canal, but the prospects are that neither
Merry nor Pacheco will be appointed as
Ministers to South American countries.