Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-02-09

kS congress ana chairman OF the
eSHESj house committee on postottices
and post roads, | applied soon after
the Inauguration of Mr.. Lincoln for the
position of special mail agent, to work
in connection with Mr.. HOlbrook of
New York under the direction of the
chairman of the cHHmittec aforesaid.
BY help of Mr.. COlfaX and other
friends my application was backed by
petition signed by Il majority of the
active governors, United States SEN
ators and members of congress. Mr..
ColfaX himself presented me to Mont
gomcrv Blair the new postmaster gen
eral. My petition was duly filed, and
my friTnds were confident that | should
receivtSthe appointment, but we had
rcckoncd all along without Senator Ly
man Trumbull. AS soon as he found out
what was going on he filed a protest
against me, and Judge Douglas ad-
vised me to withdraw. Before doing
that | went to see Trumbull, who met
me quite gcnially, saying he had no
personal rancor-individually he would
rather do me good turn than not
but it seemed to him mighty poor par
~ policy for the new administration
to recognize thus officially the friends
and henchmen of Douglas to the eXclu-
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-
gresSmcns day at the White House,
so nod to the messenger sutliced. 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 few
low words with him led us both into
room adjoining, where he said: "Col-
/ fax. | think we have something else
/ l rs postotliccs and post roads to
/ after. If you will leave this mat
/ ter to me, think we can provide for
our young friend so as not to make any
disturbance" We were turning away,
but Mr.. Lincoln said, "Wait n mo-
ment," and stepped into one of the
family rooms, from which he returned,
hat in hand. I'VE will go over to the
/ department of state" he said, leading
us down the stairway that leads to the
east room, thence out by a 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 Secrctary's
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 have been speaking. Mr.. Col
fax you already know, believe" Be
fore we could speak he hurried on to
me, "Are you ready to go to Europe
on a so days trip, starting next Satur-
day morningY l said was. Mr.. Lin
coin turned to Seward, saying, 1--WE
had better give him to the end of the
fiscal year to make his report" Then
to me, "When you have finished your
business with the secretary, come back
to me-"
"Comc on with me and wait for Mr..
Button" he said, taking ColfaX by the
arm; then to Mr.. Seward, at won't be
very long, l presume" "No," said Mr..