The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-09

think Senator Plat must have written IL
many years after the events which he
spoke of transpired, and there are some
minor Inaccuracies For instance, he re-
fers to me as 'ex-speaker of the New
York legislature. never held that posi-
ton. was president pro tempore OF the
New York senate at one time, which
Senator Platt knew, OF course, and he
seems to have confused the positions
However, his recital of all the essential
facts is correct, as we understood them
at the time There is not the slightest
doubt that Gen. Harrison made certain
promises to Mr.. Plat as a return for his
support. Senator Platt does not say in
his statement that the letter Senator Ell
kins took from Indianapolis to Chicago
promised the Secretaryship of the Treas
ury. He says simply that it was brief,
but sufficient
"As a matter of fact" continued Mr..
Fassett, Harrison was too sly to trust
anybody with a letter containing a spe-
effic promise. In the letter referred 10,
which was addressed to Plat, he simply
said that Senator Elkins was authorized
to act for him, and that any arrange
ment which Elkins and PLAT might
make would be satisfactory TO him.
Might Control Patronage.
"Elkins gave the assurance that Plat
might control the New York patronage.
Platt accepted this. and, basing his be-
lief upon the promise of Gen. Harrisons
letter, he laid claim to an appointment
for himself. as we'll as recognition for
his friends He was denied the Treasury
portfolio. and he always construed this
as violation OF the spirit, If not the
letter. of the agreement made between
him and Gen. Harrison through Sena-
tor Elkins.
THE character Of letter which Harri-
son wrote 10 Plat and which was de-
livered by Elkins afforded an elegant
opportunity for a misunderstanding,
continued Mr.. Fassett when Elkins.
acting under carte blanche orders. prof
fered the New York patronage to Plat,
IL was natural for Plat to suppose he
would be able TO take care Of himself
Undoubtedly he must have had some as
surance that he would be provided for"
Fassett thinks he himself had some
thing to do with turning the New York
delegation 20 Harrison. While the con-
vention was in progress and after the
New York delegation had decided to
leave the casting OF the seventy-two
votes from the Empire state to the dele
gates-at-large, Depew gave a supper. and
during the evening Fassett made
speech, in which he suggested that the
New York delegation cast its votes for
Harrison for President and Morton for
Vice President; that Miller be made the
next governor OF New York.
Plat was 20 receive the Secretaryship
of the Treasury. Fassett said In his
speech. and Depew already had been hon
oTed by being made the first choice OF
his State for the Presidency. This dis
tribution of honors seemed TO prove ac-
ceptable all around. and later New York $
seventy-two votes were pumped for Har-
rison
Senator Depew's statement that Harri-
son offered him the position OF Secretary
Of State is borne out by Gen Harrison's
Indiana friends in official positions here.
They say they know ali about that cir
cumstanee, and that it was an ambition
cherished for several months by Gen.
Harrison that Depew should become the
premier Of his administration.