The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-22

He Asked the President to Refuse to
Appoint Him Postmaster.


From the New Orleans Picayune.
They are telling a rather good story
about W. A. White, editor Of the Empo-
ria Q<an.) Gazette who recently obtained
notoriety among politicians by reason of
some very clever editorials he has written.
So much talk did these create that Sena-
tor Hanna, when in the West, took occa-
sion TO visit Mr.. White, congratulate him
on his editorials, and incidentally suggest
that if there was any little favor that the
administration could do for so able a man
and SO ardent a patriot ii would be will
ling and glad to do il, and all that sort
of thing-a regular political jolly. White
was inclined to pose a little, and so, in
rather pompous fashion, goes the story,
brushed Senator Hanna aside with an Oft
repeated. Il am the editor of the Empo-
ria Gazette, sir! Kansas is all right and
she does not want anything at the hand
of the administration; nor do L.
Shortly after this interview White APP
peared in Washington and turned up at
Senator Hanna's committee room Aha,
thought the Ohio politician. my Kansas
peacock has come off his perch and has
caught a glimpse of his feet. But he
greeted Mr.. White most effusively and
courLeously chatted with him awhile. Deft-
ly he led up to his point and then:
Now, Mr. White. is there anything I
can do for you or your friends out in Kan
sas? If there is, just say the word, and
viii see what can be done"
stiI pompous, Mr.. White drew himself
up, and again sang the chorus: Il am
the editor of the Emporia Gazette Kan
sas is all right, and she has nothing to
ask at the hands of the administrations
nor have IT.
Senator Hanna was puzzled. He did not
know what to make of his friend, and
finally limited that if there was anything
in the way of postoffices in his state that
his friends We're aching to run, he might
be able TO help him a bit After beating
about the bush for a time, Mr.. White
broke out with:
Really, Senator, if you wish to serve
me, there is one favor 1 would like to ask,
and that is that you will introduce me to
the President"
The Senator rubbed his hands, smiled,
sent for messenger and agreed to ar
range the thing at once This was done,
and the pair soon drove to the White
House. then an informal chat, in which
Mr.. White reasserted that kansas is all
right" and the rest of it. Then the Pres
ident, having been given a tip, brought
up the postofIice suggestion and this
landed the fish Mr.. White then unfolded
one of the most novel schemes that 1t
had been the Presidents privilege to lis.
ten to in all his years of experience. 1t
was something after this fashion,:
you see, MIR. President, l am the edi
tor of the Emporia Gazette. Kansas is all
right, and / have nothing to ask for her
or for myself. But some of my friends in
one faction of the Republican party in our
place have decided to ask that 1 be APP
pointed postmaster and will receive the
support of a faction of the Democrats. I
expect my nomination, with the accom-
panying petition, will be sent you in a
couple of weeks"
IAN right, Mr. White" said the Presi-
dent, 81 promise you L will make the APP
pointment as soon as the matter comes
to my attention"
That's just what I don't want you to
do said Mr. White, to the establishment
of the President and Senator Hanna. II
want you to find some reason for refus-
ing to appoint me. / don't care what it
is-incompetence, unfitness, bad politics,
anything you like, only promise me that
you will not let me be appointed. You see,
the situation is like this. l am the editor
of the Emporia Gazette. AS such I re-
ceive salary of about $1,000 year. AS
postmaster / would get about 5000. Now
as the editor of the Emporia Gazette 1
am in a more or less Independent position.
AS postmaster l reckon there would be
lot of fellows who would come to me to
borrow money, many of them whom |
could not afford to refuse. l have figured
it out that they would want to borrow
about 5000 in the course of a year.
cannot afford to lend any such sum of
money, and therefore | have come to you
to ask that you will refuse to appoint me
when my name is sent in to you That
will prevent me from offending my
friends. Oh. Kansas is all right, and she
has no favors to ask of the administration
except this one, and this pne she would
very much like you to grant"