Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-02-21
G. Y. CRENSHAw, OF MAYsvIILE,
APPOINTED U. S. MARSHAL.
WAS A CANDIDATE LONG AGO,
HE Is A sTAUNCH sIXrEEN-To-oNE;
DEMOCRAT.
He Had Not Been Regarded as u For
midable Candidate In the Race
for the PIace-He Is Well
Qualified to Fill the
Office.

Washington, Feb. 20.-(Special) Giles Y.
Crenshaw, of Maysville, was to-day nomi-
mated United States marshal for the Vest
ern district of Missouri, to succeed the late
General Shelby. The only man who was
not surprised was Congressman Dockery.
Mo. Dockery knew early this morning that
the appointment would be made to-day,
though all information from the White
House had been to the effect that no nomi-
nation would be made. He has known for
days that Crenshaw would be appointed
1t seems that an unusual chain of circum-
stances was operating to upset the estab-
lished usage of the administration not to
appoint a silver Democrat to Office. Cren-
shaw is the chairman of Congressman
Dockerys congressional committee, and
took an active part in the late campaign.
But he is a popular man in his bailiwick,
was repeatedly elected circuit clerk of De-
kalb county, and was General Shelbys
principal opponent for the marshalship
three years ago. He made a. vigorous con-
test for the appointment, and at one time
it was announced that he was chosen, but
later events gave the appointment to Shell
by. After the selection of General Shelby,
Crenshaw wrote letter to his congress-
man, gracefully concurring in the action of
the president, which was subsequently
called to Cleveland's attention by Dock
cry. The president was pleased with the
philosophic way in which Crenshaw re-
ceived his defeat. and he remembered his
impression of that time when Dockery, a
few days ago, called at the White House
and asked him to appoint Mr.. Crenshaw to
the vacancy. The matter was taken under
advisement, and both the attorney general
and Secretary Francis, as well as the pres
ident, desiring to favor Dockery, concurred
in the selection. and, accordingly, this aft
einoon his name was sent to the senate.
There will be no opposition to his con-
firmation from the Missourians. Senators
Cockrelr and Vest will actively support
him. Crenshaw was strongly indorsed for
appointment four years ago, and Repre-
sentative Dockery did all in his power to
secure the marshalship for him at that
time. Crenshaw was one of the most active
factors in the fight for bryan and free sill
yer, and his nomination and the support
which Harmon and Francis have given
him stamp his designation as the success
or of General Shelby as simply part pay
for duplicity work by DocKery. This is not
the first spy Mr.. Cleveland has rewarded,
His appointment WILL of course, be for four
years, according to department usage. from
the date of his confirmation. Within twelve
days of change of administration Cleve-
land will have succeeded in filling with
silver Democrat one of the most important
offices in the state unless the Republicans
should rally to defeat the confirmation,
which is regarded here as extremely i'm
probable.
Beyond all speculation and covering up
of facts, Mr.. Crenshaw owes his appoint
ment to Mr.. Dockery. Mr.. Dockery while
changing at all times to hold Office, at all
times has worked for Cleveland. When
any one of the Cleveland outfit wanted an
ltr,ar nrnriat inn, Nv ~lrorx
worked for It. Clandestinely when Missouri
ans were around Dockery worked for Cleve
land; when over at the White House and
light in sneering at 16 to l and the silver
agitation. In this way SIR. Cleveland re,
warded Mr.. Dockery by the appointment
have been rewarded from time immemorial.
There are no closer friends in town than
Francis and Dockery. They drink togeth-
While the duplicity of Dockery is more
prominent than anything else in his con-
gressional record, and while evidently few
know it in his district. yet no one need
to suspect it is not known here. OF course.
Mr.. Dockery is not the only double-barreled
performer in town, but 1t is conceded by
all that he stands at the head Of the list;
has asked Cleveland for anything or pre-
tended to do any business with him since
the general breakup, and this is true of
all the anti-administration members from
the state. While for election bunco pur-
poses Mr. Dockery has pretended he was
anti-administration, the facts are he has
always played the Cleveland spy, and the
appointment of Crenshaw is part of his
reward.
Shortly after q o'clock yesterday after
noon Judge Philips received a telegram
from Secretary Francis saying President
Cleveland had sent to the senate the name
United States marshal. TO take the place
made vacant by the, death of General 10
Shelby. The appointment was genuine
surprise to the people about the govern
ment building, as yesterday morning a
message was received by one of the officials
that it had been decided to leave the place
he came into Office. The news that it was
filled coming so soon utter the other an
nouncement created much surprise.
1t was three years ago yesterday since
the name of 10 Shelby was sent to the SEN
ate. and at that time his strongest COM
petitor was Mr. Crenshaw. who was liber-
out had 1t not been for the influence of
such men as Senators Blackburn, Vest. |
Harris Harris and Others who 70 supported General
There is much speculation as to what |
length of term Mr.. Crenshaw will have. if |
he should be confirmed. The general @ i'm
unexpired term of General Shelby. which |
would be something more than one year.
the opinion that he will come in for four |
years term unless he should be removed |
for cause. If it should be that he is to !
have the place for four years. it would dis |
arrange some other plans that have been |
perfected.
There was much surprise expressed by |
the politicians over the action of the pres |
ldent in recognizing a free silver Democrat |
by appointment, and 1t was said by some |
Of the local wise ones last evening that it |
was but n sop thrown to CONGRESSMAN |
Dockery and others. and there was TO prob
ability of the name being confirmed in the /
senate.
st. Joseph. Mo-. Feb. 20.-(Special) G. Y.
Crenshaw. whose appointment as United
States marshal to succeed the late General
Jo o. Shelby was announced from Wash
ngton to-day, is well and favorably known
in this city. in fact, over most of the state.
He Is 50 years of age and has been a resi-
dent of Maysville most of that time. II is |
not generally known but is n fact that Mr..
Crenshaw was appointed United States
marshal before General Shelby. and at the
time Shelby was candidate. but the ap-
pointment was recalled by President Cleye-
land at the instance of two United States
Both Senators Cockreil and Vest
we're his supporters this time, and Con-
yressman Dockery his especial champion
before. Mr.. Crenshaw was clerk of the cir
,uit court of Dekalb county several terms |
held the position of cashier of the Bank of
DeKalb county n number of years and at |
present Is head of a mutual insurance COM
oany besides Il general loan and real estate
agency. Incidentally it might be mentioned
hat he has the support of Judge y. NJ
Spencer, of ST. Joseph. The two have been