The wageworker., 1909-12-18
He Escaped from Political Trap Set
by the Hayes Administration to
Get Him Out of the
Country.

Everyone interested in the career of
Theodore Roosevelt is familiar with
that curious destiny by which what
was meant to be a political plot to re-
tire him from New York politics re-
sultec in his accession to the presiden-
cy by succession and to his nomina-
ton and election as president a little
over three years later.
Wheneve.. I recall this incident al
ways think of the moment when Ches-
ter A. Arthur stood unconsciously at
the parting of the ways-when, had
he gone the other way. he probably
never would have sat in the presiden-
tial chair. Not until now have 1 told
the incident. although came into pos
session OF the facts years ago. few
moved by President Hayes as collec-
tor Of the port OF New York.
This occurred in 1877, and those who
were In the inner circle of politics Of
that day had reason to suspect that
Arthur was removed as a part Of the
game of political chess which had for
Its object the nomination Of John
Sherman for president to succeed
Hayes. At that time the New York
custom house was the most powerful
political influence, in the sense Of con-
trolling party organization. in the
United States. II John Sherman we're
to be nominated for president 1t would
be of the highest importance that the
New York custom house should not
be unfriendly to him. Gen. Arthur
had been for years an intimate per-
sonal and political friend of Roscoe
Conkling. The latter was opposed to
the Sherman candidacy, and under
Gen. Arthur the custom house could
not be so employed politically as to
aid in the proposed John Sherman
nomination. So Arthur was removed
as the ports collector, that one friend
ly to Sherman might WELD the great
influence of the custom house.
A few days after his removal by
President Hayes I called upon Gen.
Arthur at his newly opened law Office.
| While we were talking I noticed that
the general opened and shut drawer
in his desk several times. At last,
with some sign of hesitation. he took
a letter from the drawer. He turned
| to me and said, 81 have been wonder
ing whether 1 should let you know
what is in this letter. 1 think I will,
but l can't give you copy of it, be-
cause copies are sometimes lost or
mislaid. l wouldn't let anyone take a
copy of it."
Having said this, he drew the letter
from it's envelope and read it to me
It was a communication from Wash
ington, in which Gen. Arthur was in
formed by John Sherman that, If he
were willing to accept the mission tt
The Hague. or to Belgium, or tt
Switzerland, or even to Denmark, the
president would be very glad to ap
point him.
AS he read the letter realized it.
great Importance, and when he hat
finished l assured him that l woult
carefully guard the missive If h
would let me take it away and shov
II to Charles A. Dana. the editor o
the New York Sun, who was then ant
always a warm personal friend o
Gen. Arthur.
NO" said the general. II had rathe
not let the letter go out of my hands
hut you can tell Mr.. Dana what 1t con
tains, and say to him that will gladl,
show it to him II he will call here"
Have you answered it?" asked.
j Eyes. I have answered 1t. sal