The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-03-08
BY William E. Curtis, Alleging
New York Statesman Was
Promised a Cabinet Job,
But Got the Hook.
ELKINS BLAMES HARRISON
He SAYS THE Ex-PREsiDENT WAS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TURN
DOWN THAT PLATT RECEIVED
his VERSION.
(American News Service)

(Amer1can News Servlce)
Washington, March S.-Senator Elk
ins of West Virginia today gave out an
interview in reply to the article printed
in this mornings Chicago Record-Her-
aid and credited to William E. Curtis,
which declared Thomas c. Platt, charg-
ed in his lifetime that Elkins secured
the support of the New York delega-
ton for Harrison at the Chicago con-
ventio9 in 1883 by a promise to make
Platt secretary of the treasury, which
promise was broken. The story has
created a sensation in national polite
al circles.
Elkins today declared that Platt was
never promised by him the secretary
ship of the treasury in return for de-
livering the New York delegation to
Harrison, but that Platt had felt that
he was entitled to 1t and never got over
the disappointment.
What EIkins Told Plat.
Elkins told Platt he would consider
any of his recommendations as to pat
ronage for New York. When Platt
expressed desire, after the election.
for the treasury portfolio, Elkins says
he saw President Harrison in Platt's
behalf, but Harrison refused to grant
Platt's request and suggested that
Platt recommend Track, which was
done through Elkins. as Platt declined
to call on Harrison.
In the article in the Chicago Record
Herald. referred to, Curtis states that
Platt made the charge mentioned in
statement drawn up some years ago
and intrusted to him (Curtis) not to be
opened or published until after the
death OF Harrison and Platt. The in
troductory paragraphs to the Curtis
article in the Record-Herald are as fol-
lows:
Article Of Curtis.
Shortly after the publication of his
memoirs by the late Senator Sher-
man l happened to be at the Fifth
Avenue hotel in New York. and while
seated at the breakfast table one
morning. the head waiter came to my
side and whispered that Mr.. Platt
sent his compliments and would be
glad If would come over and have
u
lived at the Fifth Avenue hotel in the
winter and at the Oriental hotel. Man
haitian Beach, in the summer for
many years, and always occupied the
same rooms and the. same table in the
dining-room. After passing the time
of day he remarked in a satirical
tone:
Three distinguished men slept un-
der this roof last night"
"And who were they besides your
self?" I asked
man." was the reply.
do YOU speak to those gentlemen
as you pass by?" l inquired
Not unless I'm compelled to, and
they don't like me or each other any
better than like them"
Discussed John Sherman.
After we had discussed Senator
Sherman's book, in which he asserted
that President Harrison was nomin-
ated through corrupt bargain with
Mr. Platt. l asked him what ground
there was for the corrupt bargain
to which Mr.. Sherman had alluded.
MIR. Platt replied that he could not
tell me at the breakfast table. but if
would come down to his office at
~ Broadway and lunch with him at
O'Clock he would give me a good
story.
l kept the appointment and afAer
returning to his office from the lunch
room he handed me a sealed envelope,
saying:
There is the story promised you.
but it must not be printed until after
Harrison and l both are dead. I
don't care about Sherman. He has
had his say-so and doesn't count. but
I give this to you on that condition" T"
PENNY clIlR MEETING