Evening journal., 1910-12-22
NEW NEWS OF OF YESTERDAY YESTERDAY
How An IOWan Became a
Cabinet Member
By "HOlIand."
By "HOnand."

In the latter part of President Ar
thurs administration Frank Hatton
became Postmaster-Gen thereby
gaining the distinction of being the
youngest cabinet officer since Alex
ander Hamilton; he was only thirty
eight when he became a member of
Arthur's official family. A native of
Ohio and the son of a newspaper man,
he served through the civil war, at
tanning the rank of first lieutenant.
Then he moved to Iowa, took an active
interest IN politics, and finally be-
came cditor-in-chief OF the Burlington
Hawkeye. In 1881 he became Assistant
Postmaster-G General and after he left
the cabinet he again became news
paper editor first in Chicago and then
of the Washington Post His death oc-
CURED in 1894.
A few days before Mr.. Hatton's ap-
pointment as Postmaster-G General was
sent to the Senate President Arthur
received me one morning at the White
House for the purpose of explaining
to me some Of the reasons of his policy
respecting the river and harbor bill
He was opposed to very heavy appro-
priations for rivers and harbors After
hour he glanced at the clock.
"I have an appointment now with
Frank Hatton," he explained. II like
Frank very much; he has been most
competent assistant postmaster gem
eral. ! have been told that out in Iowa
he is looked upon as a very clever pol
itician. | expect TO have an interesting
talk with him. And after it is over
want to see you again."
Half an hour later | was once more
with the president. | found him sign
ing executive documents large pile
of them had been placed upon his
desk. He continued to sign while he
talked
do you think Frank Hatton would
make a good Postmaster General? ?"
the president asked me as soon as he
saw the door leading to the outer Of
! fees was shut
I replied that ! hadn't the slightest
doubt of it, adding that the appoint
ment would certainly be a very popu-
lar one with the newspaper correspon-
dents in Washington, of whom | was
one
Frank is very ambitious to serve as
Postmaster-General.' the president
went ON. 'As you know, have trans.
ferred General Gresham TO the Treas.
| ury Department and that leaves a
vacancy in the Post Office Department
Gresham told me that Frank HattOr
would regard his career as complet,
If he could serve as POstmaster-Gen
eral, even though that service woult
be only for a few months"
The president paused i'm his work o
writing his signature and turned to
wards me with a characteristic YER!
charming and kindly smile.
Frank has been here this morning
at my request. saw during our con
vcrsatiou that he would be overjoyet
IL his name were added to the list o
the country's Postmaster-Gen
You know, we have had quite mum
Der of printers who have served II
that Benjamin Franklin. Amo
Kendall, Montgomery Blair, and Thos
l.. James. | have heard that Horac
Greeley would have been very happ
If he had been appointed Postmaster
: General And Frank HattOn is a prin
! ter
well / have made up my mind 1
appoint Frank Hatton to the post.
3 will not be a political appointment;
will be i'm the nature of a personal ap
= poinument, one TO give pleasure TO tn
= recipient And never saw happie
r expression on a mans face than ! di
/ a little while ago when intimated {
I Frank that If he would accept ] woul
! send his name to the Senate for Post
+ master-General.'
{ Copyright. 1910. by E. J. Edwards. Al
70 rights reserved.)