The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-29

heard Of me, as I heard OF him. We
came together and made a bargain. and
thus 1 got started IN Journalism. After
ward, 1 worked on the Chronicle, Call
and Examiner, writing for the local
columns.
OF for the Northwest.
Then a rush began toward the North
west. The Puget Sound country was to
be the future center Of civilization. Ny
imagination was captivated by the op-
portunity OF getting into an infant de-
velopment and Of watching II and help
ing it expand until &C became the marvel
of all creation. joyfully took passage
for the North, landing at Astoria in
Oregon, at the mouth OF the Columbia
River. But Astoria was a brook, and
De Soto was loking for something swift
and bigger. At Seattle I found employ
ment on a newspaper, and wrote a slash
ing boom article. Tacoma read it, and
sent for me. I was boom specialist
in Tacoma, geared 70 the limit, which
meant about two columns day Of ire
mendous facts and knock-down argu-
ments
"A man in Portland printed a Repub-
lean newspaper IN the morning and a
Democratic organ in the afternoon. So
returned 20 oregon at his solicitation
wrote everything. including editorials
for the evening edition. At first I had
no definite political convictions. although
had been brought up as a Republican
But got interested in the men who ran
the Democratic party in Portland. be-
cause they were good fellows. More
over 1 was deeply concerned in the sue
cess OF the paper that gave me vent
rs well as employment
Presently I looked across the Pacific
and into the Orient and began writing
about American commercial opportunities
I'm that direction Send ministers aud
consuls to China and Japan I argued,
who know California. Washington. and
Oregon After Mr. Cleveland came to
the Presidency. in 1893. a suggestion was
made that I be appointed consul general
to Yokohama. My ambition however,
was to stay in Portland and buy a news
paper. The Democratic organization IN
dorsed me, and 20 did many leading Re-
publicans. But Yokohama had been
promised. Then my friends thought Of
Shanghai 1t had disappeared. too. IN
the early distribution to clamourous ap-
plicants. am sincere when I say that
was not disappointed.
Needed In Siam.
Several months later I came to Wash
ington 10 help with some Northwest APP
pointments. I was packing my trunk to
so home when Mr.. Cleveland sent for me-
When reached the White House he IN
troduced me to both Of the North Caro-
Ina Senators. He told me he would like
young and energetic man for the
Slamese mission. Or. NJ A. Cheek, OF
North Carolina, he said. had gone to
Bangkok as a medical missionary. After
a misunderstanding with the missionary
board that employed him Cheek remained
in Siam and obtained valuable teakwood
concessions. When he developed HIS
property the government cOnfiscated It.
Checks heirs wanted full satisfaction.
And that was the situation
Il began TO go over my acquaintance
for a suitable candidate. III try 70 think
OF somebody I said to the President
But you are the man had In mind
Mr. Cleveland replied
Il was so surprised that couldn't re-
member whether Slam was IN the North
or South Atlantic or the Mediterranean
couldn't get its geography into my
muddled recollection. I hemmed and
hawed and parried for time while I could
bring my scattered wits together
What do you know about Siam? Mr..
Cleveland asked with demoraHzing sud-
uenness.
Oh replied with a bluff at laugh
ing. I know all about that ancient and
famous country. 1t was there. 1 said
with an unexpected inspiration. that the