Evening journal., 1911-02-13
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Personal EnmltY That
Made Political History
By ~HOnand."

A delegate to the first national con-
vention of the Republican party, and
a vice president of that assembly,
chairman of the national committee
of that party during the first three
campaigns it conducted, war Governor
Of New York, then from 1863 to 1869
United States Senator, and in 1872
chairman once more of the Republican
National Committee. Edwin d. Morgan
was a noted national figure of yester-
day. Yet, long as was his career i'm
high public positions, it would have
been heightened by six years but for
the unexpected triumph of another ex-
governor of the Empire State, Reuben
p. Fenton, who succeeded Governor
Morgan in the United States Senate
Il knew FentOn very WE'LL" said the
late Colonel George Bliss of New York,
my authority for this anecdote. Il first
made his acquaintance when | was
upon the staff of Governor Morgan in
the early days Of the Civil War. Ches-
ter A. Arthur served on the same staff
with me. / never knew what il was
that caused Arthur to dislike Fenton,
! who was then in Congress from a
| Western New York district and a
staunch supporter of Lincoln and his
! policies, but do know that had it not
been for that dislike Fenton would
! probably have been a vice-president
of the United States and Governor
Morgan would have been elected to the
United States Senate for a second
term.
After it was apparent to one and all
that General Grant would be nominat-
ed by the Republicans for the presi-
dency in 1865" continued Colonel
Bliss, lit came to General Arthur's
/ knowledge that Fenton, who was fin
ishing his second term as Governor Of
the State, was very anxious to be NOM
mated as vice-President. / am sure
that it was not generally known that
this was Governor Fenton's ambition.
But 1t was, and, of course. If New
York stood united in the support of a
candidate for vice-president. the prob
abilities we're that the candidate would
be accepted by the impending conven-
ton, for Grant was to be accredited
to Illinois, and it is tradition for the
Republican party. when selecting a
| presidential candidate from the West,
TO look to New York for his running
mate But when Arthur heard Of Fem
tons ambitiop, he got busy and per-
suaded myself and two or three others
that IL would never do to let Fenton
secure the plum he so coveted. Tom
Murphy was one of the men so per-
suaded; Murphy. at that time. had a
good deal of political power-Grant
subsequently appointed him collector
of the port of New York. We had a
good deal of influence with the party
organization, up State Arthur con-
trolled the organization in New York
city. and so, TO make a long story
short, we were able to prevent a ma
iority of the New York delegation to
the National Convention recommend
ing Fenton for the vice-presidential
nomination. And thus Schuyler Colfax
Of Indiana was nominated for and be-
came yice-president.
when Fenton saw that he was beat
en-, he showed no signs of disappoint-
ment. Indeed, to us who were on the
other side it seemed that he took his
defeat very philosophically. and we
were glad, for we wanted no rumpus
within the party. Had we been a few
years older we probably should not
have viewed tho situation so compla-
Gently and looked forward so conf
IDENTIFY to the reelection few months
hence of Governor Morgan TO the Sem
ate.
But as it was. 10 and behold. when
the Legislature met We discovered to
our mingled astonishment and dismay
that Fenton, I'm the short time that
had elapsed since the wrecking of his
ice-presidential aspirations. had been
quietly at work and secured a ma
jority of the Legislature I'm favor of his
election as Senator to succeed Cover
nor Morgan. And he gained the eau
Gus nomination and was elected, and
thereby got even with us for blocking
his plans to run with Grant"
Copyright, 1911. by e. J. Edwards. All
rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell of
"The Lesson in Bookkeeping that Com
mOdOre Vanderbilt Taught.