The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-07-27
JUST
SOME
STORIES
Lincoln Used to Talk
to Secretary
Hay.
Root Tells a Good Yarn, and
Hanna Says He Don't
Like Long Wiuded
People.

We sometimes wonder il those who
knew Lincoln will ever cease to re-
member and relate stories of that
great man. II was secretary Hay,
who was Lincoln's private secretary,
that told some cabinet officers stories
of Lincoln that have hitherto re-
mained unpublished. Hay had a room
in the White House at the end of the
corridor in the office, He slept there
In order to be within call in case he
was wanted. Lincolns apartments
were in the part of the house occupied
by the family. Hay recalls that often
Lincoln would get up at night and
walk about the rooms. clad only in his
night shirt. On rome of these occa.
sions he would enter Hays room,
light the gas. and Ditting on the bed.
would read from Shakespeare, Moore,
Milton or other of the poets. After
reading awhile he would depart with.
out discussing the subject. MIR. Hay
said that Lincoln did this to overcome
the great feeling Of loneliness that
possessed him when grave questions
we're weighing most heavily upon
him. 1t seemed to afford him relief to
find companlonship in the young man
who was his private secretary.
Another Hay story of Lincoln shows
different side of his character. A
man who had some claim before the
government saw the president one
day and talked with him for some time
about his affairs. saying the depart.
ment was preiudiced and finally
elicitlng a promise that the president
would give Il his attention.
The president sent for the papers
and gave an evening TO their consider
alton, going over them like n lawyer
president said:
IL have given your matter the
most careful attention, examining Il
as would a law cese, end have
come to the conclusion that you have
no valid claim against the govern.
ment."
"Then you are going TO prevent me
from having justice, Mr.. President y
said the claimant.
This was too much for Lincoln. He
made a rush for the fellow and grab
bing him by the collar and slack of
the trousers, ruehed him out OF the
room and gave him such start that
he went rolling down the stairs The
president went back, and. taking the
papers. throw them after the claim
ant. His patience ard been taxed too
far
During the many years that Gener.
lal Anson G. McCook was secretary
OF the United States senate he made
the acquaintance OF public men In
every section OF the country. Besides
belonging to the family Of fighting
McCooks' he was also a politician of
note. Lake the other men OF his
blood and name he made friends
wherever he was known. A story Is
told which illustrates his popularity.
The conversation was heard In a
Pullman car.
II tell you" said one man TO anoth-
er. both being just q little jagged,
".hat there never was n more gallant
soldier"
True enough, t-uo enough" was
the assent
"There mover was a truer friend" ,"
continued the first man.
That's right" came the response.
He's as good a politician as ever
ran a convention" continued the
earnest man.
We'll. now" said the echo. with
some hesitation. Il have some doubt
about Anse McCook making a good
bishop"
This story was told to General An.
drew Burt retired. and he declared;
"Pm an old soldier on the retired
shelf. but I'll pull on my coat any
time and fight any man who says
Anse MeCook wouldn't make good
bishop"
! Secretary Root will always be re-
membered for witty replies TO foolish
Questions asked by those who are
seeking TO have him tell something
that he does not wish TO make public
All manners of questions have been
asked of the war secretary at times IN
order to get him TO "give up" but
never with success. He would say
Just as much as he thought ought 10
be made public and no more. During
the Chinese campaign he@had a lot OF
fencing with the newspaper men.
who We're anxious TO have the latest
Information.
rs Il true. Mr.. Secretary" he was
asked one day, that Minister Coneer
has been instructed 20 demand the
l tAffNl40N UF IAlliE hAn
"No. that IS not true" responded
Mr.. Root. "but General chaffee has
lbeen instructed TO send the poison
cuD' TO the empress dowager"
On the day the insular cases were
decided by the supreme court there
was a great ceal Of speculation as 10
what the court meant Secretary Root
had attended the sessions OF the court
and listened TO the opinions. Soon
after his return tothe war department
a large delegation Of newspaper men
called on him 20 intepret the decision.
THE secretary protested that II was
impossible for him after hearing the
dominion read once 10 come TO con
cluslon. He was asked many qnes'
tons about different phases OF the
; opinions, but returned the same
answer. Finally one man said
| 'Mr. Secretary. tell as THIS much :
Under these decisions does the con