The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-20
MR.. HUNTINGToN's DEATH.
IL HecalIs an Incident of Harrison's
First Campaign.

IL recalls an Incident of Harrison,s
First Campaign.
"A rev days before the election in 1888
/ MI. Edk1ns, Mr.. Clarkson, Mr.. Carter, Mr..
Jones and other members of the Republi-
can campaign committee called upon Mr..
huntington, described to him their pre-
d1cament and asked him to assist them In
raising 100000, which they must have at
once or lose the election. Mr.. Huntington
listened carefully to them and advised
them to consult Mr.. Plat. They did so,
and Mr.. Plat came to see Mr.. Hunting
ton the next day, supporting their ap-
peals with great earnestness and making
| it personal matter When Mr. Hunting
ton inquired why he was SO much inter-
ested, MIR. Platt explained that in the
event of Harfison'S election he was to
| be secretary of the treasury.
If l was sure you would be secretary
of the treasury l would give them that
$10o 000," said Mr.. Huntington
81 have Gen. Harrison's assurance
Mr.. Plat replied, and then related the
| circumstances that occurred at the chi
cago convention, where the New York del
| egation left Sherman and supported aar-
rison upon the assurance from the Ial-
| fer brought by Senator Elkins, that Mr..
Platt might have his pick OF all the ap-
| pointrnents under the administration.
| Mr.. Platt informed Mr.. Elkins that there
| was only one office he would accept, and
| that was the head of the treasury de-
partment Mr. Ellzins carried the mes
sage to Indianapolis, and returned the
next morning, saying that it was all
right. New York threw its vote for Har-
| rison, and he was nominated.
After the election, when he was max
| ing up his cabinet, Gen. Harrison refused
to appoint Mr.. Plat. He claimed that
! there had been misunderstanding; that
Mr.. Elkins was not authorized to promise
| he trno 1rXY RI No,fv,o hot midi
| date ever pledged the positions of the
| cabinet officers, for they were members
| Of his official family, occupied confidential
| relations to the president, who could not
| be expected to offer them as rewards for
| political service or use them to pay polit-
| zeal debts. Mr.. Plat might select an
! other office, but he could not be admit
| ted to the cabinet, and that was the
| cause of the GOODNESS between President
| Harrison and the easy boss of New
| York.
When Mr.. Plat related to Mr.. Hunt
ington the negotiations that had been
| carried on through Mr.. Elkins at the ma
tional convention and the assurances thai
had been given, Mr.. Huntington Said
''I will give you my check for $1O0O0O il
| you will give me your notes for that
| amount, payable on demand in case you
| are not appointed secretary Of the trea
| sury''
"All right responded Mr.. Platt, who a
once made out three notes, one for $4,000
and two for $500 each, and handed then
to Mr.. Huntington in exchange for his
check. saw one of those notes last night
Mr.. Plat had it in his poel1etbook. The
| death of Mr.. Huntington brought back tC
his memory these peculiar circums tanees
with great force, and Mr. Plat looked III
the papers. The notes were returned tC
him Cancelled by Mr.. Huntington soor
after Harrison's cabinet was nominated
with a humorous letter admonishing hin
to be more cautious about trusting poll
ticianS.