Evening journal., 1910-07-30
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Democrat Who AStOund-
ed President Cleveland
By @HOIIand.S
By &HOIIand.S

In the presidential campaign of 1884
the Democratic party received some
very excellent assistance from a corps
of comparatively young men who had
been trained thoroughly I'm newspaper
work. Daniel 5. Lamont himself had
been a newspaper man before becom-
ing private secretary TO Governor
Cleveland and it was doubtless be-
cause Colonel Lamont had received
thorough training of this sort that he
was able accurately to judge of the
quality of the service rendered by
the various newspaper men who were
associated with the Democratic ma
tional committee throughout the cam
paign Among this class of assistants
was Frank n. Brooks, whose work
Colonel Lamont came speedily TO take
note of.
Due either to a suggestion from
Colonel Lamont, then secretary to the
President. or to other friends of Mr..
Brooks, who knew of his important
work during the campaign, President
Cleveland was persuaded that there
should be official recognition of what
Mr.. Brooks had done especially as he
seemed fitted to become a valuable
public servant. So, in due course,
Mr. Brooks was offered the appoint
ment of consul to Triest.
Il appreciate the honor" said Mr..
Brooks. but ! cannot accept the ap-
pointment for reasons that are entirely
personal"
But" he was told, "the United
States is to have largely increased
commerce with Triest. the only Aus
trian seaport. and there will be fine
opportunities for good work there.
such as will surely lead to promotion
In our diplomatic service"
Still Mr. Brooks declined, and when
President Cleveland was told that the
offer would not be accepted, he in
ferred that it might be that Mr. Brooks
felt that the salary was insufficient.
Il will appoint him consul-general at
81. Petersburg" the President said.
So once more, the offer of a place in
the diplomatic service, so important as
cOnsul-general at the Russian capital,
was made to Mr.. Brooks. yet he felt
compelled to decline for reasons which
seemed to him imperative.
In the presidential campaign of
1892 when Cleveland was again a can
didate, he appeared at a public meet
ing in New York City. After the
hear the former President had de-
parted and while Mr. Cleveland was
waiting on the platform for his car
riage. Mr.. Brooks. who was present
approached him.
"Mr President" he said, Il am very
glad to see you again"
Il recall your face very we'll, but
cannot recall your name" Mr.. Cleve-
land said. looking quizzingly, earnest
ly, at the man who had greeted him
MY name is Frank II. Brooks, and
you may remember me as one who
was associated in an humble way with
the presidential campaign of 1884"
For an instant Mr.. Cleveland con-
tinued to look with intense inquiry and
/ question at Mr.. Brooks, and then of a
sudden recollection coming to him. he
seized both of Mr. Brooks hands with
his own.
"Of course, I recollect you now,
exclaimed Mr.. Cleveland, "and l hav'
never forgotten the unprecedented ant
unequalled and astounding experience
/ had with you after | became Presi
dent Mr. Brooks have known man,
Democrats who have refused the offe
Of one office, but I have not known. witt
the exception of yourself any Democra
who declined an offer of two impor
tant Offices. | shall never forget tha
circumstance as long as ] live; | hav
had no other like it in all my expert
ence. ] am very glad to have me
you, and / want again TO congratulate
you as the only Democrat. of whom
have knowledge. who declined tw'
political Offices. one after the other.
Copyright, 1910. by E. J. Edwards
All rights reserved.)
On Monday Mr.. Edwards will tell o
"The President who Acted as Nigh
Watchman."