The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-31
WAY LOGAN RESIGNED,
Undsr Senator sAwysr's Advice flo Cav
Way to John Sherman.

Uhder Senator sAWyerS ADVICE ITO SANe
Way to John sherman.
New York Mail and Express; John,
II you promise me that you will decline
to accept the position OF president pro
TEN, OF the senate, think l can promise
you that you will be given an opportu-
nifty to do SO"
"Well. why should decline it? ! am
guilty of nothing that units me for the
performance OF the duties OF president
pro TEN. of the United States senate"
This conversation, according to the
Chicago Tlmes-Herald, occurred be-
tween two prominent members of the
United States senate, after the death Of
Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks.
Tho senators were General John A. Lo-
gan and Philetus Sawyer, who had been
warm friends ever since they met In
Congress, both going from the house to
the senate.
The friends OF Logan, including sena-
tor Sawyer, had learned enough to con-
vince them that General Logan could
be elected president pro tenn, in spite Of
the fact that the friends OF Senator
John Sherman, OF Ohio, claimed that he
should have the distinction by virtue Of
his long and efficient service.
Good old Senator Sawyer was In
something Of dilemma after Logan's
lmpetuous answer, for surely the an
swer came impetuously. That was a
way Logan had of doing things, He was
lmpetuous when he seized the flag at
the Battle Of Atlanta after Mcpherson
fell and enthused the Army OF the Ten
nessee as It had never been been en-
Unused since Grant left 1t. But Mr.
Sawyer quickly collected his thoughts
and met the gallant Illinois senator on
new grounds, Laying his warm, gen.
erous hand on the shoulder Of Logan
he said: John, you mustn't forget that
you have Just been defeated for the Of
hce of vice president and that the POSI-
ton Of president pro tenn makes you
virtually vice president. the place that
the people Of the United States said, In
no uncertain way, they did not want
you to hold" ~
This had a mellowlng effect on Lo-
gan, but he could not see his way clear
ly to decline SO high an honor Uncle
Sawyer came to the rescue once more
by saying: John, you so home and
sleep over the matter" Mr., Sawyer
was as warmly attached to Mrs, Logan
as he was 10 the general, and he con-
tlnued: Talk with Mary about II. Find
out what she thinks"
General Logan went to sleep that
night thinking Of what Senator Sawyer
had said. and the next morning he did
talk with Mary about It, and Mary
without knowing what Mr., Sawyer had
said, was In perfect harmony with him
as to the wisdom or unwisdom of his
accepting the position OF acting vice
president.
That morning, just before the senate
was called to order, Logan hunted up
Senator Sawyer and when he found
him placed a hand on his shoulder, look
ed him squarelY IN the eye, aud said:
Uncle Philetus, your head Is longer
than your body Your suggestion Is
right. accept It,.
History tells the rest. The position
was offered to Logan and he declined
II In n speech that still rings In the ears
OF his fellow citizens, placing Logan be-
fore the people OF the United States In
more favorable llght than any other
one thing had done except his conduct
at Atlanta on the end OF July, 1864, and
II his valuable life had been spared who
doubts that In 1883 General John A. Lo-
gan would have been the successful
Republican candidate for the presl-
doncy? And who doubts that he would
have been reelected In 1892? And. al
70, who doubts that no would have
made n splendid President of the great
country he loved so well2