The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-10

to remain az his post I'm Havana Pres
ident Cleveland said 20 me three months
before ne went out Of office. "Fitz. Lee
Is not only "a game man but he Is a man
Of destiny"
March 4 1897. came and Mt Mckinley
was inductcd into the office OF Chief Mag
istrate. The situation in Cuba was not
particularly exciting then. but II was Sc
rous enough TO attract attention.
LEES RESIGNATION.
Lee wrote promptly 10 President McKin-
ley. rendering his resignation lie was a
Democrat and did not expect 10 hold Of
fee under a Republican administration.
He certainly did not wish 10 embarrass
the new administration. Mckinley took
I'D the matter OF the C0nsulate-General
In Cuba few weel,s after DC stepped into
Cleveland's shoes
The office was a big plum. both fnan-
ciaiiy ard politically There were sevc'
raj strong men after the place. Speaker
Reed. Republican rival OF President Nc,
Kinley. had q candidate for the office and
that candidate wasfn aN-tonFr sSuan
Prank Aldrich. of Illinois mckinley
must DO something for Reed and Aldrich
was 90 succeed Lee, so 10 was said but
after thinking the matter over the Presi-
dent wisely concluded 20 request Lee. TO
urge him II necessary, Go remain "unul
the trouble in Cuba was OVER
ALDRICH NOT SELECTED.
Aldrich bowed gracefully and took a
bank examiners position. And by keep
ing Lee in Havana Mckinley gracefully
got out OF giving a choice place 10 Reeds
man. which be would have been forced
10 do bv the common rule Of politics had
Lee not agreed to stay al his post.
Well. I happen TO know that tremendous
pressure was brought 10 bear upon NC
Kinley 10 replace Lee. Many G.. \. *.
men appealed 10 Mckinley a devoted
G. A. r. man himself and pointed OUT
that since the Consul General was 10 cut
n peculiarly historic figure in affairs,
Union soldier and q Republican should
have a chance nc the place rather than
an ex-Confederatc, no matter how popu-
lar.
MKINLEY KNEW HIS MAN.
Mckinley decided az the last moment
not 10 appoint a successor 20 Lee. Every
one is familiar with the relations or the
administration TO General Lee, how II
has stood steadfastly by him all through
the terrible crisis; how IL has mover los.
an opportunity OF expressing iis gratetui
appreciatlon IN the public prints. Ana
here 10 might be observed that no matter
how harshlv people may have criticlsed
President Mckinley, the Southern people
would DO well TO give him credit for
observation-disclosures and liberaliiy IN resist
ing partisan pressure In retaining fll"
Lee-the man OF the hour.
General Lee has been hurrah proVoN-
or. a memorable figure IN WASHINGTON
on two occasions; at Clevelands nr't
and second "inauguratlons. Bu-
vyben he arrives here IN the next day
or two with his new laurels-a man OF
international renown-he will be accord
"a n triumphal entry that would make
any recent hero small in comparison
OUR FITI.
ryervbodv old and young. white and
black calls Fitzhugh Lee "Our F1tz.'
lee Is not puffed up and couldn't oe-
lie will come 20 Washington now tne
same genial. rolllcking. grand American
that he was when he left here last 70
vember after voting IN RichTond TOT
Tvler Fchols and Montague. 70 resume
his arduous winters work IN Havana
Yes everybody admires Fi,z Lee ana
calls him lovingly "Our Fitz.