The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-24
Going Broke in Washington.

The disappointed off.Ce-SeekerS are begin
ming TO complain. and some of them have
good cause to do so. But the trouble has
only begun. We will hear much more of it
later. heard the other day of a young
man who rendered important service for
Mckinley both before and after the conven-
ton, writes W. E Curtis. We will call
BIN Jones OF Nashville, but that isn't his
name and he lives elsewhere. He was al
ways an admirer OF Mckinley, and when
the campaign for the nomination began
undertook 10 work up boom in his state
He was very successful Public sentiment
was with him. and it needed only to be
crystaiized and developed. He got the dele
CATION. ANY one else might have done the
same thing, but it happened to be his good
fortune TO stir the pool. direct the organ:za-
ton, arrange the method and fight the
agents of the other candidates. After the
convention he worked with the state COM
nlittee, and devoted his entire time, which
was paid for, although his pre-convention
labor was gratUitous After the Inaugural
ton ne came down for his reward.
He did not expect a cabinet position, and
he wasn't quite clear as to what he did
want He thought that second-class for
eign MISSION, or a place as assistant secre-
tary in one Of the departments, or some
thing Of that grade, would suit him. He
was willing, however. IL 1t would crafty
the president. to accept collectorship OF
customs of internal revenue. or serve as
United States marshal in his state. He
decided not to ask for any particular Office,
but 10 leave the matter entirely with the
president, to act according to his best judg-
lnent and convenience. But nothing hap
pened. He went to the White House sew
eral times. where he was cordially received,
more 10 introduce others than to put In
claims for himself. Finally he thought it
was about time that they recognize him,
and one day suggested TO the president that
he would Ike to talk over the matter with
him. Maj. Mckinley asked what he wanted.
He said he had not made up his mind.
WELL" said the president, you better
confer with the senators and representa-
tives from your state, and decide upon
something that would suit you. and come
and see me again"
But the senator and representatives from
his state were not so anxious to secure an
appointment for Jones as he thought they
ought to be. He had never done anything
for them; he had never worked with the
machine; he was new to politics. and had
no pull" While they admitted that he
was an Original Mckinley man, and
managed the campaign for the election of
delegates TO the st. Louis convention, that
obligation must be paid for by the presi-
dent, and not by them. They had obliga-
tons Of their own to fulfill, and had made
out their slate, which covered every Office
of Importance in the state, and a great
many more than their quota outside of II.
Therefore. they declined to indorse him. He
.f,a ~ I,t
finally arranged conference at which the
senators and representatives and Mr.. Jones
were present. The president said he wanted
to do something for Mr.. Jones. The dele
cation said they had no objection, but it
must not be charged TO the state; it must be
considered a personal and not q political
slate, with very urgent appeal to the
president not to permit the appointment Of
Jones to interfere with it.
The president told Jones to look around
and see what he would like. Jones picked
out half a dozen places, and found they
were all promised. He selected half a
dozen more, and the president agreed to
take them under consideration, but his time
and his attention were always occupied, and
Jones was only an atom floating around
with a mass Of similar atoms. waiting for
the sunshine of political favor. Finally
Jones' money gave out He didn't want
to give up the fight and go home, so he
went to the president, explained his situa-
ton with perfect candor, and said that he
must have something. The president ex-
pressed great deal Of sympathy with his
situation, and gave him q note 10 Assistant
Postmaster-Gener Heath, saying:
II expect 10 be able TO do something for
Mr.. Jones after awhile. In the meantime
/ would be very glad If you would give him
the best position you can And in the postof-
fee department.
Mr.. Heath overhauled the entire organi-
zation and found that almost everything
was nailed down by President Clevelands
civil service order. The best thing he could
do for Jones was to appoint him general
superintendent of gang OF men who were
painting street letter boxes IN the basement
of the department building-compensatio ton
s. a day.