The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-03-11
Says No Promise Was Made

patronage. He was De- d over this
1.-Two or three months later Platt
came to my ONCE in New York and
with some show of feeling said he
expected to be appointed secretary OF
the treasury and wanted to know
about it. reminded him that there
was nothing in the letter I had
brought him from Harrison and moth
ing in my conversation with him on
that subject at all.
"I thought that was inferred by
what you said to me about New York
patronage Plat replied.
"'What have you done with that
letter you brought me?' inquired Platt.
II told him had it and l read it
to him again. He admitted there was
nothing compromising in 1t and told
him further that had informed Har-
rison that no cabinet pledges had been
made for him. Plat then asked me
to suggest his name to the president
In this connection and told him that
personally would be glad to do 1t.
Harrison Sends for Elkins.
Shortly after that Harrison sent
for me to come to Washington to con-
suit him about his cabinet. We had
previously exchanged correspondence
on the subject. The question Of Platt's
claiming the secretaryship of the
treasury came up and told the
president again that he had no cabi-
net promises to keep because Of any
thing had done in his behalf, but
I kept my word to Plat and spoke
to the president in his behalf.
81 would like to appoint Plat, but
| cannot replied the president.
81 hope you can see your way
clear to consult him about appoint
ments and that you. can favor his
recommendations told the presi-
dent. also pointed out to him that
Plat was the keysone to the situa-
ton I had found at the convention
and that he had been largely respon-
stblefoyA the presidents nomination.
What would you do?' inquired the
president. ~.
eff l had my way replied, I
would appoint a good friend Of Plat
to the cabinet, and l suggested the
name OF BENJAMIN F. Tracey to be
secretary Of the navy. knew that
he had decided to appoint William
Window secretary of the treasury.
pointed out that Mr.. Tracey was q
lawyer Of high standing who would
be comfort to him in the cabinet,
and told him how Mr.. Tracy had
helped us out in the campaign.
"The president seemed to think
uyo0v NJ h4 k4
Platt and suggested that he name
Tracy. Plat was plainly disappoint-
ed at the turn of affairs. told him
there was nothing personal in the
presidents attitude toward his ambi-
tion to be secretary of the treasury,
and the next day Plat, who did not
feel happy about it. told me to tell
the president that the Tracy appoint
ment would be acceped so far as he
was concerned.
Considered It Keeping Promise
"Platt was strong man, who would
take the next best thing If he could
not get what he wanted first. Per-
sonally considered this appointment
an evidence that the president was
keeping the promises made to Platt in
the broadcast way. l wish to say here,
also. that the Window appointment
was not even suggested at the con-
vention and that when he began to
cast about for a secretary of the
treasury Mr.. Harrison had in mind
Window and William Mckinley. Win
dom then appeared to be the best
man, although it turned out afterward
that Mckinley was the greater. When
the president made the appointment
it seemed to me that the promise to
consult Plat had been fairly kept and
that he got and was in a fair way to
get all the patronage he desired.
PLAT, however. never got over his
disappointment. The newspapers
have attempted to make it appear
that he was misled by a promise to
make his secretary Of the treasury,
but Plat never made any such state
ment to me in all our conversations
on the subject. This disappointment
undoubtedly manifested itself at the
Minneapolis convention in 1892. when
Platt was opposed to Harrison's re-
nomination"
Elkins Reveals Condolences.
Senator Elkins said at the close Of
the interview that he had revealed
more condolences than ever before in
his life, but he thought history should
be set right on the subject. He ex-
pressed the highest regard and admi-
ration, for the late senator from New
York and sorrow over his death.
In further elucidation Of the rea-
sons why President BENJAMIN Harri-
son did not take readily to the sug-
gestion that Mr.. Platt be made sec
retary Of the treasury, 1t was learned
from a high source that Harrison re-
garded Plat as too close to Wall
street and feared that his reputation
as machine politician and boss
might bring trouble on his admins
tration, MIR. Harrison himself being
peitler a boss nor q machine polite
ion.