The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-22

, Newspaper correspondents Were given ab-
| snlute freedom to examine all The papers
| filed in these eases Republican Congress
| men were at liberty 10 go over each cas-
| In most Of the papers filed there would he
| a simple memorandum. "appOiu; joan
| Smith. etc." with the name IF the Con-
eresSman recommending Smith. and tile
latter was held responsible far furnishing
the name Of an efficient Democrat. Il The
appnintec proved otherwise. he was put cat
rs promptly as he entered the service.
Steveuson's office was The rcst DEM
c-atic. perhaps. that ever was conducted ~
Washington All Corners entered at VII
| between the hours Of ? ami {. or even after
s.lar closing hpuis duri-s the first year.
Tn, head Of the office talked with all c, m
els and no; with subordinate who
blocked the way.
To the newspaper correspondents h. was
a source of delight. All sorts of available
and interesting st"riss could be gathered
there from the papers On file. The office
held that these were public and not private
records; and IL the writer's and petitioners
a, times had cause to regret the statements
they he'd signed. after seeing Them in
print. It gave them wholesome lessor, 20
sent 20 public officials
Added TO his sturdy democracy. Steven
son was recognized as man of wholesome
habits and presence; congenial. loyal in his
friendships. and ready TO do a Kindness
wherever possible to Republicans as wei
as those OF his own party.
He good story teller and Of end
less good humor. At that time Illinois had
number Of illincisans prominent in wash
ingtOn. among them Colonel William L.
Morrison, then chairman of Ways and
Means IN the House: William NJ Springer.
a Of great ability and popularity: GEN
e-al John c. Black, Commissioner of PEN
s.ons. and Willi4m \. J. Sparks. Commits
SioneT Of the General Land Office. Those
gentlemen had warm followers. hut tn.
type of sterling democracy was admitted
To be Stevenson. HIS prominence soon
brought him. naturally. share II jealoT-
sizes among party leaders from his State.
but these passed off. and the majority Of
his Illinois associates remained among lis
warmest friends and admirers.
For time StevensOns relations with
Villas were not OF the most cordial TIE
latter found his assistant growing too fast
in popularity TO please him perfectly. IN
tsirness il should be said that Villas could
not change the class of poStmasters under
his control. the presidential appointments.
easily as Stevenson could dispose OF the
smaller ones: because the papers in the
former had to pass muster by the Republic
an Senate. There was tenure of Off .
law IN force which gave reasonable pro-
lection to presidential appointees during
good behavior, until the expiration Of tire
four years commission. But in time Villas
was transferred to the Interior Depart
ment. and his successor. Don VI. Dickinson,
was as warm friend and adrIiirer of the
'headsman' as any living man.
When the National Convention met. in
1855. Stevenson was The most promising can
ddate for Vice President. Thurman of Ohio
had enough misguided friends 10 induce him
TO seek the nomination. Although nearly
eighty, very feeble and but the wreck OF his
former personality. the name OF the Old
Roman was yet all-powerful with the dele
gates Even those who thought his nouii
nation ill-advised would not oppose his am
b!tion. Four years later. Stevensoa's avail
ability was equally great: and at that time
Cleveland desired the added strength he felt
would come from the Illiuolsan's nominal
ton.
Stevenson Is possessed OF a remarkable
amour; OF ordinary common sense. He IS a
good campaigner. and few men have a bet
ter appreciation than he OF the things which
should be left unsaia. He is man Of ex-
tens,ye reading, and during his time hes
been intimately acquainted with the most
prominent men in public life, not only in
politics. but in the church and al the bar
He has their entire confidence regardless Of
party. The general view Of his nomination.
as expressed at the capital IS that he vii!
get all the Democratic votes. and he viii r.
ceive. also, because of his well known in
tesrity and conservatism. at least the mega
tive support Of strong elements In the op-
posing Marty W. S. D.