Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-15
THURSTON SAVES THE PLACE
Nomination of Meiklejohn Comes Much as a
Personal Triumph.
PROCTOR OF VERMONT HAD IT SECURED
Man Named Martin from BrattIcborc
Had Been All but Nominated
when Ncbrnskn's Claimant
Won the Day.

WASHINGTON, April 14.-(Special Tele-
gram.)-George ID. Meklejohn's nomination
to be assistant secretary of war came as the
eleventh hours recognition of Senator Thurs
tons work during the last campaign. While
Senator Thurston had never given up entire
hope of making the ex-congressman from the
Third Nebraska assistant secretary Of war,
he felt that the possibility was very vague
and shadowy. This morning, however, in go
ing to the White house he learned by acci-
dent that the person selected, Mr.. John S.
Martin Of Brattlcboro did not fill the require
ments laid down by the president, who had
insisted on having an army man fill the
place. Mr.. Martin was Senator Proctor's sec
ond choice, he having named Frank S. Part
ridge of Vermont after the declination of
Messrs. Webster and Gown. Mr.. Partridge
was found, however, to have been draftoA
during the war, and this at once placed him
outside the pale OF consideration Senator
Proctor then took a second shy at the place,
and Martin was positively slated for the
nomination today, when Senator Thurston ap-
peared at the white house. In his quiet way
the republican senator from Nebraska inti-
mated that tho proper thing to do would be
to appoint Mr.. Me!klejohn, who, while not
an old soldier wac qualified for the place and
bilities. There was little talk between the
president and Senator Thurston when Senator
Proctor was sent for, and the conditions ex-
planned to him. Senator Proctor, having re
celved from Mr. Martin euffcent> excuse for
net pressing his name was easily prevailed
upon by the president to withdraw his nomi-
nee. and Meiklejohn went in his place. 1t is
rumored that the president had already
signed the nomination of James S. Martin
and delay Of ten minutes on Senator Thurs
toms part might have lost him the assistant
secretaryship of war.
The nomination gives universal satsfac-
tion to the rank and file of the army, who
have felt that there should be a civilian at
tho head of this branch of the government.
Mr.. Meiklejohn's well known force of charac-
ter, which he showed while lieutenant gov
ernor Of Nebraska, will stand him in good
stead when he becomes the buffer between
the army and the secretary of war. 1t is
interesting to note in this connection that
Major 7. S. Clarkson. commander-in-chiefo of
the Grand Army of the Republic Captain
Adams General Cclby and General John NJ.
Thayer were prominently mentioned from
Nebraska for the position of assistant secre-
tary of war. Senator Thurston took the posi-
tion that if the president appointed a civilian
that civilian must come from Nebraska. but
he was ready at all times to yield to a soldier.
Failing in the appointment of a soldier, then
Meiklejohn was to be considered first. as his
own honor and the honor of the state war
ranted his selection.
Ex-Representative E. j. Hainer and fam
lily left for their Nebraska home today.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry W.. Yates OF Omaha
were in the city today, en- route to Omaha,
after a visit to New York. They were ac-
companied by Charles Gardner son Of the
late Dean Gardner of Trinity Cathedral, who
is in attendance at st. Johns college and
at Annapolis.
Major Crowder, judge advocate, Depart
ment of the Platte, is in the city for few
days.
Commissions Will expire at the following
postoices in Nebraska during the next ten
days. and they will probably be filed by the
fourth assistant postmaster general in that
time with persons in touch with the present
administrations Third district-Hubbard
Jackson, Dixon, Chapman. Fourth district
Exeter, Shickley, Endicott, Tobias, Bruning,
Carleton, Lushton, Shelby, Wyand. Fifth
distrlct-Cairo, Cameron, Cowles, Loomis.