The times., 1897-04-26
The Claims of Gold Democrats
Causing Him Trouble.
PROMISES HE CANNOT KEEP
w. s. Forman, Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue and the "Aid SO-
ciety's" Candidate for Governor
of Illinois, Must Be Provided For.
The Case OF Mr.. Jordan.


building He is also an ex-member OF the
House of Representatives from Illinois. and
was last fail the candidate of the Gold
Democrats OF that State for governor.
Mr.. Forman did not think he would
be elected governor and he never tried
to be, but he did exert every energy in
his mental and physical organism to de-
featthe regular Democratic candidates an !
elect the Republican nominees. His he
TJic work TO bring about disaster to the
party that had so often honored him was
of such character that he considered him
self entitled TO a tangible reward.
The Administration is fully aware OF
the services Mr.. Forman rendered the
Republican party, and so when Mr. For
man suggested that he should be re-
tanned as commissioners of internal reve-
nue., Mr. Mckinley lntimated that his
request should be granted. Indeed, the
President declared that he had carmel
a reward and he should have it This
happened Immediately after the inaUgu-
ration.
few days later Mr. N B. Scott, OF
Wheeling, ". Va, member of the national
committee from that State, called an
the President and informed him that he
had concluded not To embarrass the Ad-
minlstrauon by asking for some big APP
pointment in payment for the aid he
rendered in causing West Virginia TO give
Mr.. Mckinley a handsome plurality, and
that he had decided to take the office
OF commissioner of internal revenue, He
wanted nothing else
The President remembered the claims of
ex-Congressman Forman and insinuated
that Mr.. Scott shonld select something
better, but this the national committeeman
declined to do. He said he was not an
aspirant for social bonors and therefore
cared for nothing in the diplomatic line,
and that ne did not care TO work too ha rd
and for that reason refused to consider
many tempting places. The Commits
sionership of Internal Revenue was about
his size and he wanted nothing else.
The President said he would take the
matter into consideration, and Mr.. Scott
left satisfied that tie prize was his. The
President sent for Commissioner Forman
and said that he would prefer to make
him Treasurer of the United States than
To continue him ia his present office.
send the name to the Senate at once.
That astute lover OF the gold standard
took fright at the proposition and begged
the President not to do this. He declared
that it would be his political death war
rant for the silver Senators would pre-
vent his confirmation. After some argu-
ment the President consented not to ap-
point him Treasurer at once, and at the
a H.,
would retain him in his present position
until January. After that time, 1t is un-
dcrstood, the President intended to name
Mr. N B Scott for the place. and to send
the name of Mr.. Forman 70 the Senate as
Treasurer.
Just after these plans were in smooth
working order, Senator Platt discovered
that his friend, Ellis H. Roberts, wanted
to succeed Conrad n. Jordan, as assistant
treasurer, at New York. Secretary Gage
wanted to retain Jordan, gold Democrat,
who is favorably known to i. Pierpont
Morgan, August Belmont and others made
noted by the bond syndicate operations.
The fight that followed was a hard one.
Secretary Gage insisted on Jordan AMI
Senator Platt made a determined stand
for Roberts.
The President desired TO avoid rupture
with a member OF his Cabinet, and at the
same time was extremely anxious to pla-
cate Senator Platt After considerable
log rolling on either side, Secretary Gage
became inspired with an idea which he
transposed into suggestion. 1t was to
make Roberts United States Treasurer, a
higher office than that of Assistant Treas
urer, but worth a salary $4,000 less.
Anxious to make an anicable settlement
OF the trouble, the President forgot the
gold Democrat Forman and gladly con-
sented 10 the proposition Mr.. Roberts
was Informed that he might have the Of
flee, and Senator Platt said he would ac-
cept it, Up to yesterday Mr. Roberts had
not signified his intention OF accepting,
but tits believed that he will.
Having settled this point the President
found himself further embarrassed over the
office of Commissioners of Internal Revenue.
National Committeeman Scott had circu-
lated among his friends that he was to
have the position. Indeed, lie even went
TO the Treasury building and introduced
himself TO Private Secretary Vanderlip as
the next commissioner. Itso happened that
Mr.. scott's assertions reached the ears OF
Secretary Gage, and that the Secretary
had long had the office of Commissioner of
Internal Revenue under consideration. Al
though this officeis a Presidential appoint
ment requiring Senate confirmation, it is
seldom filled without the Endorsement of
the Secretary of the Treasury, and this in
dorsement the Secretary had concluded TO
give to Deputy Commissioner Of Internal
Revenue George w. Wilson, who was ap-
Harrison Administration, and has held the
sffice ever since.
The Secretary has found him TO be a
'ery capable official, and believes him to
be entitled TO promotion These views of
the Secretary have been conveyed to the
President, who sees more trouble in store
Tor him.
His gratitude TO Forman and Scott for
lhe services they rendered inclines him
strongly to reward them, and his desire
10 have harmonious relations with the Sec
retary of the Treasury is equally strong
At present it looks as IL Commissioner
Fornan will be retained until January, and
Wilson Will be appointed his successor, and
that National Committeeman Scott will be
piacated with something else
Mr.. Mckinley VIII Stay On.
I One of the sterling characteristics of the
Presidents new saddle-horse is, accord