The sun., 1903-07-05
NO "MESSAGES" FOR HIM.
Ex-Msyor johnson Had Heard OF RIcharti-
sons Work Before.

BINGHAMroN, June 3O--A day or two ago
ex-Mayor j. NJ. johnson received letter
from the Bureau Of National Literature
and Art" of Washington. which informed
him that Sol. W. II. Stinson Of Washing
ton" would call on him within day or
two with reference to the copy OF Govern
ment compilation which this bureau has
reserved for you in accordance with the
explanation to be made by Col. Stinson.'
Mr. johnson had heard of this Bureau
of National Literature and Art" already
and had no great curiosity as to the COM
pilation that had been reserved for him or
the explanation to be made bv Col. Stin-
son. fhe next morning after the receipt
Of the letter Col. Stinson put In an appear
ance AT Mr.. Johnson's Office. Then il
appeared that the Government compila-
tion which had been reserved" for Mr..
johnson was none other than the Mes
sages and Papers of the Presidents, which.
according to the circular produced by Col.
Stinson, had been edited by the Hon.
James ID. Richardson under the direction
of Congress- and was authorized by the
Government. prepared under its super
vision" and Endorsed by the Government.
On the last of the four pages of this cir
Praise from the Press of the Country
there were presented alleged extracts from
different newspapers, the frst which de-
clares that this "is book which no library
protesting to possess the original materials
of American history can afford to be with
out" being credited to The SUN.
Col. Stinson informed Mr.. johnson that
he was one of a very small number of the
distinguished residents Of Binghamto on
for whom sets of this valuable compilation
had been reserved; in fact, the number
was 80 small and the reservation so select
that there were only four men in the city
who were to be permitted to possess the
work For these four reservations the
books were all ready in the Wasbingto on
office, each having been marked carefully
with the name of the owner. All that was
yet necessary for Mr.. Johnson to do was
10 sign the order for their delvery. sad
shipment would be made mt once
To the immense surprise of Col Stinson
Mr. johnson declined to sign the shipping
order
why, bless mel" exclaimed the Colonel.
at must bc you do not understand il Mr.
Johnson The books are reserved for you.
No one else can get them
u know" said the ex-Mayor, "but I
don't want them"
But they're yours" protested Col.
Stinson. "Your name is on each one Of
them. They were specially marked for
you. They're all ready for shipment only
awaiting your order"
Still Mr. johnson declined to sign the
order "ln gilt letters exclaimed Col.
Stinson. your name is on each volume in
gilt letters, all specially marked for you"
marked for me without my instructions:
and now they may be specially unmarked
with my Instructions.
But you must take them, Mr. johnson"
exclaimed Col. Stnson. You are the
only one who can get them. The com
mittee reserved them for you what else
can we do with them?"
"Eot 'em or burn EN-, don't care which,
replied Mr. johnson,
"You put us in great dilemma, declared
the Colonel. beginning show OF standing
on his dignity. IL have never known
Compliment. eh'" said the ex-Mayor
How much would that order which you
want me to sign obigate me- to pay?"
"Only thirty-sx dollars replied the
Colonel, with the air of one who sees at last
a ray of hope. There are nine volumes.
"Thirty-six dollars for a Government
publication sold by a, private concern?"
asked Mr.. Johnson.
Thcreupon the Colonel went into an
elaborate explanation of the great value
of the work and of the immense expense
involved in getting il up and illustrating
il 80 profusely, and whole lot more aimed
nj the same point. But Mr.. Johnson was
obdurate,
Col. Stinson exhibited his order book and
showed the names Of the other three Bing-
hamtonians who had been "honored" by
the committee on distribution" A lso
he produced a letter of instructions which
gave him specific orders not to call twice
upon any man who declined at the first OPP
portunity to sign the shipping order.
His instructions were perfectly plain,
he said. but he was 40 surprised at Mr.,
.Johnson's attitude, and so convinced that
It was because Of the ex-Mayor's failure
10 understand thoroughly the compliment
that il was intended 10 pay him that he
would deliberately violate his instructions
from the committee and call again on Mr..
johnson on the following day. Mr.. John
son thanked him for the courtesy of that
notice and the Colonel went away. Where
upon Mr.. johnson picked up his Sun Of
that morning and read OF the arrest in Penn
sylvania Of an agent for the same concern,
And when the vollble Colonel called,
in violation Of his strict instructions, Mr..
johnson happened to he out Of his Office.