Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-05
STEADMAN WAS BLUNT
TOOK PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO
TASK FOR PRoCRAsTINATING.
Arranged Interview With the Elder
Bennett, Which Was Not Held
The Editors Wrath.

Speaking OF the late Major General
James B. Steadman of Ohio" said James
Winans of Toledo, reminds me of an an
ecdote he once related to me about Presi-
dent Johnson which 1 do not remember
having seen in print. Steadman. you may
recall was collector of internal revenue at
New Orleans under Johnson. and was also
one Of Johnson's political advisors. The
President, ii seems, was in very hot water.
He had broken with his party, and only
one newspaper in the country the New
York Herald, was inclined to speak kindly
Of him. The republican press roasted him
and the democratic press viewed him with
distrust.
man was hurriedly summoned to Washing
ton. Arrived at the White House, Johnson
proceeded to speak his mind about his po-
litical enemies. and any one who knew
Andy johnson is aware that he could, when
stirred up, deal out some very picturesque
epithets about men and things. When the
President cooled down he explained to
Steadman what he wanted him to do. He
was to take the first tram for New York.
obtain an interview with the elder Bennett,
and induce him, If possible, to pledge the
support of the Herald to the administration.
Steadman succeeded in making date with
Mr.. Bennett, whom he knew, at the latter's
country seat on the Hudson. 1t was at
dinner hour that he arrived and after the
meal was over the pair retired to the IL
brary, where Steadman unfolded his budget
to the canny old Scotchman whom Stead
man said, was a good listener.
when he had finished Mr.. Bennett took
up the thread of conversation, and with
very broad accent, said:
General Steadman, l believe Andy
Johnson to be an honest man, but the pub
lie good demands change in his cabinet.
Seward and Stanton should go out at once.
'Steadman interrupted to ask If he rec
commended that the entire cabinet be dis
missed, to which Mr.. Bennett replied that
such a measure was not required at that
time. but that eventually a new cabinet
should be formed When at midnight the
interview ended, and Steadman had entered
his carriage to be driven back to New York,
Bennett seemed to be wholly won over to
Mr.. JohnSon's scheme of succor, for he
grabbePthe general by the hand with much
warmth and said: Tell Andy Johnson to
fight his battles bravsly, and I'll make the
columns of the Herald ring for him.
Weeks and months passed, and Johnson
pursued the thorny path he had marked
out for himself. He had succeeded in get
ting rid of Stanton after a struggle that
came near ending his official existence, but
Seward he dared not break with, whether
disposed to do so or not. Then began the
historic swing around the circle, and the
President and his retinue found themselves
in New York. Steadman took occasion to
impress upon Johnson the necessity of call
ing on Mr.. Bennett, or to at least arrange
conference with him, an event that could
not fail to be ffattering to the old Scotch
man. if nothing more
But johnson, on the plea of want of
time, kept putting the matter off until the
hour Of his departure. and when too late
to do anything in person left behind his son
to see Mr.. Bennett and make the best terms
possible. This put Steadman in a hole. as
he had arranged for an interview between
the President and editor. The general was
plainSpoken and feared no man, and I'M
able to restrain himself informed the Presi-
dent that procrastination was his besetting
sin, and that his administration would go
down In history as one of lost opportuni-
ties. Johnson at this plain talk flushed
with anger, but thought better of it and
passed the matter over.
Mr.. Bennett waited until the presidential
party had got fairly under way, when he
opened the Heralds batteries on the Presf-
dent and kept it up until he retired from
office. In speaking further of Johnson
Steadman said he was not only the most
suspicious man of others motives he had
ever known, but the most stubborn When,
however, he did get move on him it took
a six-mule team and log chain to hold
him back