Evening journal., 1910-01-19
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Bread That Returned
to ThurIOW Weed
BY "HolIand."


who died in 1882 at the green old age
Of S5. was one of the most remark
able and astute politicians that this
country has ever produced.
Many and notable were his political
victories, not a few Of them looming
large in our history. Yet perhaps the
victory out of which Mr.. Weed derived
as much quiet satisfaction as any
came to him most Unexpectedly at
moment when he had acknowledged
defeat-when he saw the political pat
ronage Of New York State, and all the
power that its possession implied, ta-
ken away from him. And the manner
in which this yictory--which, / believe,
has hitherto escaped chronicling-
came to Mr Weed, inevitably calls to
mind the Biblical Injunction to cast
your bread upon the waters, that II
may be returned to you after many
days.
Back in the thlrties, when Old
Rough-and- Zachary Taylor was
engaged in fighting Indians mostly, a
man who had great lumber camps and
mills on the northern slope of the
Adirondack mountains, called one day
upon Mr.. Weed and explained that he
was most anxious that the son of the
foreman OF one of his camps should
be appointed TO cadetship at West
Point. The caller had been Of great
political service to Mr. Weed, and.
therefore. the latter, after listening to
the others request, said heartily:
You see your congressman and ]
will endorse the application"
But" protested the man, Il have
seen him, and he tells me that he
has promised the cadetship to a con
stituent"
well, il he has promised 1t he must
keep his promise" declared Mr.. Weed
However, win see that the boy ia
appointed a midshlpman at the Naval
Academy"
But the lumberman insisted strenu-
ously on the cadetship, and, among
other things, reminded Mr.. Weed that
this was the sole favor he had asked
of Mr.. Weed in all the years that he
had been content to execute faithfully
the political orders given him by Mr..
Weed.
This was true. and Mr. Weed knew
it. So, at last, he promised that he
would do what he could to get the ca
detship for the foreman's boy. OF
course his appeal to the congressman
was all sufficient and the north woods
youngster entered West Point. and
Mr.. Weed forgot all about the Incl
dent, simply one of the many minor
matters which crowded his days.
Years later, following the inaugura.
ton of d-Rough-and-Ready as presi-
dent, Mr.. Weed journeyed to Wash.
ington, thinking that he might be re-
ceived with some favor by the new
administration since he had been
chiefly instrumental in bringing about
President Taylors nomination. But
almost as soon as he had arrived at the
capital he discovered that both he and
William II. Seward, then senator from
New York, and a political ally, we're
not in favor at the White House.
It was a serious situation that Mr..
Weed faced. that Of being bereft OF
the powerful political patronage of
New York state. However. he de.
cided that he would not leave Wash
ington without at least calling to pay
his respects to the president. So he
went to the White House, and sent
in his card by an attendant.
In a moment a young man, coming
from an inner room, almost effusive.
ly rushed up to Mr.. Weed, grasped his
hand. and exclaimed: you are Thur
low Weed. am very glad to see you.
I owe you a debt of gratitude"
Mr.. Weed looked inquiringly at the
young man as though trying to recall
him. Seeing his dilemma, the other
said:
"You don't know me. You have
never seen me before, believe. But
If it had not been for you would not
now be here. You secured my ap
pointment as cadet from an Adiron-
dack lumber camp. I am Col VIII
lam c. Bliss. am the private secre
tary of the president. / served with
him in Mexico"
Following a little pleasant conver
sation, Col Bliss asked Mr.. Weed 81
he could do anything for him. Mr.
Weed explained that he was anxious
to see the president. The young man
responded: "You shall see him imme
diately." And a moment later Mr.
Weed was being introduced to the
president by Col, Bliss as the man to
whom the colonel owed his appoint.
ment to West Point and his subse.
quent army career.
A few hours later, when Mr.. Weed
started back for New York. he took
with him the promise OF President
Taylor that he should have all the pa.
tronage he wanted for New York
state. He had signaliy triumphed over
those OF his enemies who had ven.
tured at first to set President Taylor
against him.
IL is only necessary 60 add that the
young man who thus Unexpectedly,
and at most opportune moment,
more than fully repaid his debt Of
gratitude to Mr. Weed. was the first
hasband OF that recently deceased for.
mer mistress Of the White House who
was known 20 the present generation
as Mrs. cambridge.
Copyright. 1905. BY r. J. Edwards)