Evening journal., 1910-01-13
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
HandShake That Paved the
Way to Cabinet Portfolio
By "HoIIand.v

some men-Phiande G. Knox, for
example-have became presidential
cabinet members through their pos.
session of certain peculiar qualifica-
tions. Others have been given port
folios in full payment of political
debts or party service. Thomas L.
James, postmaster general under Gar.
field, is, perhaps, the only man who
ever won cabinet chair with hand.
shake. How he did this all uncon-
sciously has never been printed before
so far as / can ascertain.
In the second administration Of
Gen. Grant it was deemed expedient,
for business reasons, to name a new
postmaster for New York city. Presi.
dent Grant requested Senator Roscoe
Conkling to suggest somebody who
would make just the kind of postmas-
ter that the metropolis needed. "Of
course" said the president, "he must
be a Republican. but he must be a
good business man as we'll"
This was putting a somewhat dim.
cult responsibility upon Senator Conk-
ling. II It had been the beginning Of
Grants administration the senator un.
doubtedly would have had in mind for
postmaster some Republican poIiti-
clan of prominence. But It was the
mid-year Of Grants second term and at
that time it was certain that Senator
Conkling's friends would ask that he
be nominated for president at the next
Republican national convention. So
1t became necessary for the senator
to find aNgood Republican-one who
would stand in line with the party in
New York state in favoring Conkling's
nomination-and at the same time be
a man Of first-class administrative
ability
Senator Conkling journeyed to New
York several times to talk with the
politicians about the postmastership.
None of them, however. was able to
help him. He could find plenty Of good
Republicans who would have been
glad to take the Office, but not
one OF them had any business stand
Ing. On the other hand, there we're
several capable business men whose
names were suggested, but not one Of
them knew much about politics.
On the last OF these trips Senator
Conhling lunched with "Tom" Muir.
ply, then collector Of the port Of New
York. Utterly unlike as Conkling and
Murphy were, yet the warmest friend
ship had grown up between them.
At the luncheon Conkling and Muir
ply discussed and dismissed from
consideration several names brought
up as possible material for the post
mastership Then. luncheon over, the
two men strolled down Wall street
toward the custom house. Conkling
walking with his customary stride
and certainly conscious Of the fact
that many persons stopped to look at
him and say TO one another, "That is
Roscoe Conkling."
It was the purpose of the two to
enter the custom house, but Just be-
fore they reached the broad steps
leading to the doors Collector Muir
ply stopped and gently twitching the
senator's coat sleeve, caused him to
stop also. Then, directing Conkling's
gaze to man who was standing on
the top step and shaking hands with
some one, Murphy exclaimed, as one
inspired:
Senator. there's your mani"
I see noeman except Tom James"
replied Conkling.
We'll, he is the man mean" re-
tortetd Murphy. Hes a good enough
politician. he has a wonderful knack
of making friends of everybody with
that handshake Of his, and he's one of
the best deputies the custom house
ever had"
Conkling pondered a moment. "It
occur to me. Mr. Murphy that there
may - some elements in your sug-
gestion worth considering. l viii give
the matter careful consideration. but"
he added, "let it be confidential to you
and me for the DreseES~