Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-04-23
INTERVIEWED IN TEXAS.


the once of Assistant Secretary OF War
---Te1ans Urged Him TO Acctpt---He
Says Good word for the State.
The Dallas, Texas, News of April 10
printed an interesting account of inter-
views with Hon. j. l.. Martin regarding
the tender to him of the appointment as
assistant secretary of war and his declina-
ton of the honor Mr.. Martin, who was
accompanied on his annual visit to Texas
by G.. A. Boyden of Brattleboro, had left
Washington and had reached Dallas, Tex
as, when the intention of President Nc
Kinley to tender Mr.. Martin the appoint
ment was announced. To a representa-
tive of the Dallas News, who at once called
upon him, Mr.. Martin expressed his APP
probation of the honor done him, but said
1t was his first inclination to decline Hop
ing that the news of the Presidents inten-
ton would not become public through the
press, Mr.. Martin asked the News report
er not to publish it and his wish was
respected.
When called upon again the next morn
ing Mr. Martin courteously expressed his
regret that he had kept the News from
printing an interesting despatch, and this
interview then took place:
"But what have you done? Will you
accept?'
81 have wired Senators Proctor and Nor
rill declining the position. They urged me
again today to reconsider, but the fact is
! that my private business affairs demand
my attention. You see | have been an
active practitioner of the law the best years
of my life. have a comfortable little
home at Brattleboro and an interesting
family, consisting of wife and three chill
! dren. The latter are Just now at that age
where they need my attention. OF course
! the acceptance of the position offered would
necessitate the breaking of home ties and
| the removal OF my family to Washington,
where new associations would have to be
! formed in so far as my family is concerned.
! | have fair law practice and having de
! voted much time to my profession | feel
that | should continue TO pursue it. You
/ can say for me in the press of the country
! that feel most keenly the honor done me
| by reason of this tender and further that
| regret the fact OF it getting into the press.
! While | have at all times in the past been
! a consistent Republican and have in an
| humble way done what | could in further
/ ance of the principles of my party, still in
so doing the welfare of my country as a
whole has been the motive actuating me.
| My services to the great cause of republic
canism have not been such as to warrant
| the tender to me of this most important
/ position. While | am keenly alive to the
! fact of the honor involved still for the
reasons stated have wired requesting that
| be not named for the position
as your determination irrevocabe?'
81 regret to say that it is. My family
and business affairs combined render ii an
! impOssibility for me to accept the position.
! This is my conclusion after mature consid-
Grafton and have today so notified SEN
ators Proctor and Morrill, OF my state"
Mr.. Martin has been confined to his bed
today temporarily ndisposed, but this eve
ming is sufficiently improved to justify the
statement that he will be up and about the
city tomorrow.
"What do you think of Texas" asked
the News man.
Just what have always thought of it.
! This is the greatest state in the union, and
that | so think is evidenced by the fact
that my pecuniary interests here are al
ready large. am not dissatisfied with any
! investments made here. OF course differ
with the Democratic party in your state
touching its needs in the way of legislation,
still time will bring the remedy for any
evils that may exist. | find splendid
number among my warmest friends many
of your people. regret that business al
fairs at home will necessitate my direct
return there from here say about Friday.
On the return trip it is possible that brief
stop-over will be made in Chicago
Owing to the fact of the indisposition OF
Mr.. Martin the News man did not press
him further Mr.. Martin was for eleven
continuous years a leading figure in the
Vermont legislature, having repeatedly
served as speaker in his state. He was one
of the original Mckinley men, and largely
led the fight resulting in the landing of that
state in the column of the Ohio statesman,
and that, too, at time and under clrcum
stances calculated to count. He is now in
his fiftieth year, but looks to be not ex.
ceeding 40 or 45 at the outside. His law
firm, Waterman, Martin IL Hit, of Brattle
boro, is considered one Of the strongest in
New England. Mr.. Boyden, his compan
ion on this trip, has been lifelong Demo
crat, but admits that he could not and did
not vote for Mr.. Bryan.
These gentlemen are interested in TeXa:
to large extent, and regret is expressed
here that one so closely identified with the
material prosperity and welfare of Texas
as is Mr.. Martin could not find his way
clear to accept such post as was rendered
him unsought.
This afternoon kilograms from leading
Republicans over the country have contin
ued to pour in upon Mr.. Martin urging
him to accept the proffered honor. Strong
local delegations have also visited him bert
urging him to reconsider. The argument
was advanced that Texas needed a goot
friend such as he in high position; that hC
could do much for Texas in the way of get
ting good military post located in nOrtl
Texas, as well as aid the state in Othel
ways. While Mr.. Martin is deeply touch
ed by these evidences of confidence anC
esteem, be adheres to his previously sen
declination of the honor.