Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-02-16


- congress and chairman Of the
house committee on postoiiices
and post roads. applied soon after
the Inauguration Of Mr.. lincoln for the
position OF special mail agent, 20 WORK
In connection with Mr.. Holbrook Of
New York under the direction OF the
chairman of the committee aforesaid.
By help of Mr.. Colfax and other
friends my application was backed by
a petition signed 10y majority OF the
active governors. United States SEN
ators and members OF congress. Mr..
Colfax himself presented me to Mont.
gornerv Blair. the new postmaster gen
eral My petition was duly filed, and
my friends were confident that should
receive the appointment. but we had
reckoned all along without Senator iAS'
man TrumbulI AS soon as he found out
what was going on he filed A protest
against me. and Judge Douglas al
vised me TO withdraw. Before doing
that went to see Trumbun, who met
me quite genially. saying he had no
personal rancor--indlvidually he would
rather do me a good turn than not
but 1t seemed to him mighty poor par
ty policy for the new administration
to recognize thus officially the friends
and henchmen of Douglas to the exciu-
sion of its own.
When Colfax heard of that. he was
very angry. "Come with me. We
will submit the matter to the presi-
dent himself" he said. 1t was con-
gressmen's day at the White House,
so nod to the messenger sufiiced. We
went straight into the executive cham
Der and waited our turn. Mr. Lincoln
sat at his desk throughout the trans
action OF business instead Of going the
rounds, as is now the presidential hab-
It. AS soon as he saw Mr.. Colfax he
beckoned him forward and after a few
low words with him led us both into
a room adjoining. where he said: Col
fax. | think we have something else
besides postoffices and post roads TO
look after. If you viii leave this mat
ter to me, | think we can provide Tor
our young friend so as not to make any
disturbance" We were turning away,
but Mr.. Lincoln said, wait mo
ment," and stepped into one Of the
family rooms. from which he returned,
hat in hand. 1--WE will go over to the
department of state" he said. leading
us down the stairway that leads to the
east room, thence out by side door
through the White House grounds
| We found Mr.. Stewards anteroom
crowded, but Mr.. Lincoln neither
glanced at nor spoke to any person
| there. Gentlemen. be seated, he said
| to us. then strobe into the secretary
private office In about ten minutes
| he himself came to the door of it and
| nodded to us in sign that we should
| enter. AS we went in he said: This
is the young man, Mr.. Secretary, OF
whom l have been speaking. Mr.. Col
! fax you already know, ! believe" BE
fore we could speak he hurried on t
me, "Are you ready to go to Europe
on 80 days trip, starting next Satur
| day morningy | said | was. Mr.. Lin
coin turned to Seward, saying, "Ws
had better give him to the end of the
| fiscal year TO make his report" TheI
to me, "When you have finished YOU
business with the secretary, come back
to me-"
"Come on with me and wait for Mr.
Button" be said. taking Colfax by the
arm; then TO Mr.. Seward. III won't bs
| very long. | presume" NO" said Mr.