The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-23

the Northwest, and President McKin-
ley, Vice President Hobart, Mark
Hanna and the entire Republican Ma
tional Committee were DESTROYS of see
ing him in the Cabinet. But some
how the positive announcement that
he was going in the Cabinet was never
made. Something seemed holding it
back.
Then the truth came out. Senator
Davis objected to any place being
given to Mr.. Merriam. He threatened
to fight any nomination that might
be given to Mr.. Merriam. He was
even wiling to go to the unprecedented
length of opposing the confirmation
of McKinley's Cabinet IL Merriam's
name was in the list. AS he came
from Minnesota and was a power in
the Senate, his objections had to be
taken into consideration. 1t also be-
came known that his opposition was
due to the snubs and Sights which
Mrs. Davis had suffered at the hands
of Mrs. Merriam, the social leader of
St. Paul.
Mr.. HObart's Vain Effort.
Vice President Hobart, who was
very tactful man, and who earnestly
desired to see Mr.. Merriam in the
Cabinet, took the case in hand. He
thought he could arrange matters so
that Mrs. Davis would withdraw
her opposition and Senator Davis
would consent to the nomination be-
in made. The next time he met Sen
ator Hanna, chairman of the Repub-
lican National Committee, he told him
all about it.
Now" said he in conclusion, you
have the whole story. I've burned
my fingers and am through. Suppose
you try
Senator Hanna tried. He reported
at the White House a few evenings
later, and his listeners were the Pres
ident and Vice President.
"Mr. President" said the Senator
from Ohio, the Vice President tackled
this case and burned his fingers. He
told me to try. I've tried, and my
fingers are blistered, too. 1t is now a
case for presidential intervention"
There never was a feud between men
| that William Mckinley could not
heal. But when he tackled the famous
feud between the social leaders of St.
Paul and the social leader of the dip
| lomatic circle he confessed defeat and
| beat a. retreat.
1t was impossible to find a place for
Gov Merriam in the Cabinet. So. too,
| was it impossible to give him the post
| of ambassador to Russia.
The story was told in Washington
at the time that Mrs. Merriam went to
| the extent of calling on Mrs. Davis and
asking her to withdraw her opposition
to her husband. Mrs. Davis refused
| to be placated. The time for her re-
venge had come and she made the
most of it.
Rivalry I'm Washington.
So the feud went on through 1897
and 1898. The winter Of 1898 and 1899
witnessed considerable social rivalry
between the women. The Merriams
made their home In Washington that
winter. The rivals were both hand
some and both were charming and
| gracious hostesses. Mrs. Davis, by
virtue of her husbands exalted posi-
ton in the Senate, had slight advan-
tage. At the Presidents New. Years
| reception, Jan. 1, 1899, respondent in
a beautiful Partisan gown, she as
sisted Mrs. Mckinley in receiving. Mrs.
| Merriam assisted Mrs. Hobart at the
| Vice Presidents residence in the old
| Don Cameron house.
Mrs. Davis was almost at the top of
| the social ladder then. She had ac-
| companied her husband to Paris when
| he went as a member of the Spanish
| Peace Commission, and the winter
there had been a series of social tri-
umphs.
But all feuds come to an end. They
are either ended by death of reconcil-
iation. In this case reconciliation.
Ali Ferrouh Bey, who knew both Ia
dies well, thought it was a pity. Be
| ing a brave man and a fatalist, he did
not hesitate to rush in where McKin-
ley, Hobart and Hanna feared to
| tread. He saw Mrs. Davis and he saw
| Mrs. Merriam. 1t was such a pity
| two such charming women should be
| estranged! Could he do nothing?
At first icy reserve greeted his in
quiries. Finally there was a soften
| inga Then came one of Mrs. Davis
charming Thursday afternoons. To
be historically correct, it was Jan. 10,
1899. Mrs. Merriam dropped in with
| Ali Ferrough Bey. Mrs. Davis receiv-
ed her graciously in the presence of
| great throng.
The feud was ended. In a short time
| Gen. Merriam was appointed director
of the census of 1900. He was con-
| firmed the same day.
s-o-S
Catching Fish for Fertilizer.
| T2{ohrnond Telegram TO the New York