The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-09
Jam APPOINTMENT


New York Times; Few Of the ladies'
NJ the white house III our generation
haye been known to counsel in national
matters with the chief executive. From
one who has had opportunity to see
and hear, learn that Mrs. Hayes was
the only one for several preceding adj
miuistratlons, and none since her time
has been known to even suggest an
appointment. My informant gives as
an excuse for what he graclously
terms Northumberland that the Presl-
dent has such a multitude Of counsel
from party leaders and constituents
that nothing is left for the white house
mistress. Perhaps the ep9imon sense Of
the women who have occupied the high
place has. dictated and governed. Let
US hope so.
However correct my hmicus curlae
may be in general, know Of one exc
ception. It does not come under the
harsh head Of interference" on the
contrary, II was done with such fnesse
that the President, 50 / am told, did
not even hesitate and although he had
violated one 81 his pronunciamentos to
reappoint none who had sheld place un-
der his first administration, the politi-
clans did not object IN this case. And
the appointment met the approval Of
Democrats and Republicans.
Mrs. Cleveland will beiBurprised to-
day, no doubt to learn that she was the
first lady of the white house In many
wears to ask the President TO make an
appointment. and one which caused him
10 break a rule, but the fact remains
that she did It.
There is such q pretty and tender
story in connection with the appoint
ment that l am sure the former gra-
cious white house lady whose life in
terests her sex, will be glad to hear the
outcome Of "her appointment"
Somewhere in the records Of state one
viii find that Henry F. Merritt, OF Chi
cago was appointed consul by Presi-
dent Cleveland to AK Ia Chapelle in
1855. A few pages further there Is an
entry showing that before the eXpira-
tion of Mr.. Cleveland's first term Hem
~ F. Merritt was transferred from AK
la chapelle to Chemnitz.
When Mr.. Blame came in as secre-
tary of state in Republican adminis-
tration, a young man called and handed
in his resignation. This was Henry F.
Merritt.
why do you do this?' asked Mr.
Blaine. Co..
land, Democrat, and am Demo-
GRAFT" was the answer.
II am giving you the exact words as
nearly az ] can remember them as tn Ne.
were told to me by one who was In the
state department when the incident oc-
...rhc most Mt Chemnitz IS an Import
ant one. commercially" said Mr..
Elaine. land / am familiar with the
trade relations between that place and
our country. know something OF
your work there. You may be Demo-
crat. but as consul at Chemnitz you
have shown that you are an American
first, Go back to your post until l ac-
cept your resignation.
MFR. Merritt returned and was serviHs
scceptably until Illinois politicians
NOT unlike politicians Of other states
made n demand on President Harrison,
and consul Merritt resigned, but nm
told that Mr.. Blaine regretted asking
for the resignation. ,,,. .,.o,5
inaugural Mr.. Merritt went TO the
white. house His card reached Mrs'
cleveland, and the ex-consul was DID
&. ZEN to call / am told that Presioent
Cleveland complimented the cohsul
work, and expressed reSret thut ~
could not again honor him, citing ms
pronuncIamento to make no reaPpo'nt-
ments. 81, rosnoc+e
10 Mrs. Cleveland and her mother.
IIttie story was told Of an anticipation
ohroad. II interested two women. MFs.
cleveland asked a question; after II
was answered she made a memoran-
dum, and the young man MADE ms
adleu. and went to Chicago TO VISIT ms
old home. President Cleveland inaugu-
rated the Worlds Columbian EXPOSE
ton May /, 1898, Henry F. Merritt Was VAS
one az the throng that witnessed the
toNch ~ the button. Within less than
thirty DAYS after that event, In batch
of nominations sent to the senate was
ttJs. "Ienry F. Merritt. TO he consul
NJ Rarrnen. Germany" Ten days later
|ho voIInR man called ut the white
bouSa maid his respects to the Pres
iJent thanked Mrs. Cleveland. ana
smiled from New York for his post u
week after. ,--..,.,,r o,,,, In
BURNER Is a manufacturing Guy IN
the Rhenish province, ana the wore VI
The consul there is important. and Ger
III, lives Of business In this country
sre Interested in the consular work NJ
fbat most. / am Informed that the IN
tcgr,tv Of Consul Merritt at Bnrmen
soS,ed hundreds Of thousands OF dollars
10 certain industries Of this country.
Henry F. Merritt was high In Mason
tn affaiTs. He was introduced as a VS.
ding brother by the Worshipful Master
~ Rarmen lodge, and delivered sew
eraI lectures before It. The Master was Vas
infatuated with the consuIs Kn9 SV. .li.
Of the craft, and charmed with NE per s,,a
sopality. The fondness between tne wv ",
mon for the society Of each other M
creased The consul was the guest OF
tbe German in the latter's home. inc
German sIckened, and the consul was
ME faithful attendant to the end. JUST
before the death OF the German ne salo
10 the consul: ~ ovor knew
IN whom / would willingly intrust my
yyife's affairs and those OF my chiiaren'
II all are satisfied, be the husoahu anu
father Of this household 49, u
when n year had passed Henry r.
Merritt was both. The German was q
1,,on NJ means. He left his property 70
Me wife and children. After the CON
",Il had married the Germans WIDOW
SS,o mn de over to him, against his pro-
3sst Mi her rights. Her children-a
',o,,ng man and daughter-did the
same They regarded the consul as
tbcJr nroteotor, and their trust In MIN
was one Of the most beautiful eXemph'
flcntIons Of faith ever Knew. No.,
When Mr.. Mckinley became es !,
dent Henry F. Merritt Resigned, wi ,io,,
was nearly year before he was Fehe''
ed. ..,,,,o rIod
by his accomplished German frau ano
her two children. The daughter was
gtrikIngly handsome girl. The former