The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-02-07
"NOthing Like Woodruff Again"
Declares Chief Executive
Changed Mind.
GEORGE R. CARTER TALKS
CottriIl Was Presidents Choice
First and Last-"G Good
Accountant"
fFrom satarday,s Advertiser.l


''Lord deliver me from another ap-
pointment like that of Woodruff, +" re-
marked President Taft to Ex-Governor
G. R. Carter, few weeks ago, at Wash
lngton. The subject was brought up
by conversation Carter had with the
President on the subject of the .ap-
pointment of Cottrill, as collector of
internal revenue at Honolulu.
The former governor returned to Ho-
nolulu yesterday, after several months
abroad.
eyes, y said Ex-Governor Carter to an
Advertiser reporter yesterday after
noon, "I saw the President as soon as
/ noticed in a New York paper that
Cottrill was mentioned in connection
with the position of collector of inter
nal revenue at Honolulu. went to
protest against the appointment, and
saw the President. Taft's reply to me,
on the first occasion was, Il don 7
propose to send a negro to Hawaii. L
then remarked, You know how things
are in the Philippines as regards
negroes, and the President at once re-
piled, Il know, because / was there
Second Visit to Taft.
''The second time 1 went to see the
President, was shortly after l heard
that Cottrill had a good chance of be-
ing appointed. Upon the request of the
Republican central committee, called
on the chief executive again. Private
Secretary Charles Norton met me and
laughed. 'We don't want to see you.
1 replied, well, want to see the Pres
ident, anyhow
al had an interview with Taft, and
then heard that Cottrill was to get the
appointment. / remarked, Il am sorry
the position has been given to an out
slider, like Cottrill. The President
smiled and said, Poor Hawaii. 1 then
replied, My sympathies are with Ha-
waii and with no one else
COttrin Not Eager.
''Secretary Norton told me after
wards that Cottrill did not care to
accept the position of internal collector
at Honolulu. Cottrill was quoted as
saying that Hawaii was too far from
home and that he thought the fact that
he is a colored man would 60 against
him.
"The first time 1 saw the President
on the subject of Cottrill's appoint
ment. / did not take Taft Is remarks as
a promise that Cottrill would not be
appointed / took his remarks of: Il
don't propose to send negro to Ha-
waii, as being an indication that there
was a chance of the appointment not
being confirmed.
"Before leaving the President on the
occasion of my first visit, L was assured
~ nf n n
internal revenue at Honolulu, would re-
ceive the deepest consideration.
''I was informed that Cottrill is a
skilled accountant, and that he is con-
sidered a first-class man in the sphere
of life he is engaged in.''
Suggested No Names
Ex-Governor Carter denies that he
suggested any names of persons eligible
for the position of collector of internal
revenue at Honolulu. He. simply told
the President that, a local man who
knew the conditions existing in Hawaii,
would be more acceptable than an out
slider. Gas for vouching for any of
the candidates, / did nothing of the
sort,'' concluded the ex-governor.
Away Thirteen Months.
Mr.. Carter has been away from Ho-
nolulu for thirteen months and, during
that period has visited many foreign
countries. His first call was at japan
thence to China, and then to the Phil
ippines. Singapore was next touched
at, and the Straits Settlements were
visited. Egypt was the next point OF
call and, after spending the summer
there, the winter was put in touring
Europe.
Upon returning to the United State:
the ex-governor spent most of his time
in New York. Trips and visits II
Washington, such as are described
above, took some time and, finally, aftel
a long sojourn from the Paradise of tn,
Pacific, the ex-governor has returned Il
Honolulu. All yesterday afternoon MIR
Carter was kept busy shaking hands
with his friends, who had heard of hi
return to Hawaii nei.