Evening journal., 1911-02-18
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Grant As a Joke Maker
BY "HOIland."

General Frederick T. Dent, father-in-
law of General Grant. was a guest at
the White House for several months in
1874.
During his visit Salmon p. Chase,
Chief Justice of the United States,
died, and General Dent had personal
experience of the embarrassment and
difficulties which President Grant met
with in attempting to name a success
sor to Chief Justice Chase whose nom
ination the Senate would confirm.
General Grant first offered the post
to Senator Roscoe Conkling," said
General Dent some years later to a
company of friends, "and / know that
he was very anxious that Conkling
should accept It, He told us one day
when gathered at dinner-only
members of the family we're present
that he had been much disappointed
because he had that day received a
letter from Senator Conkling in which
he had declined the offer of Chief JUS
tice.
II knew from General Grants man
ner that he began then to turn over in
his mind one or two other names, but
/ did not know until the nomination
was made that he had offered the ap-
pointment to General Caleb Cushing.
General Cushing was not in good favor
with the Senate. and that nomination
was withdrawn. l never heard General
Grant express any opinion which
would indicate that he was disappoint-
ed at the failure Of Cushing's nomina-
/ ton But ! feel certain that he was
! considerably chagrined when he dis
covered that the Senate would not con-
| firm the nomination of George II. VII
! liams. of Oregon who was Attorney
General in the Cabinet
when this happened all Of the
family began to get quite excited over
the situation My daughter, Mrs. Grant
became very much more interested IN
this matter than she had ever been In
respect to any appointment excepting
those of cabinet officers; / suppose
that was because she looked upon the
cabinet as almost a part Of the White
House family.
We'll. one evening. when there
was no one at dinner but the family
and the guests at the White House. we
| thought that General Grant seemed a
| little preoccupied. We were certain
that he was thinking over the Chief
Justiceship, wondering whose name
/ he should next send to the Senate. Al
! last Mrs Grant asked him II he had
made up his mind whom to nominate
and in reply he said that he had about
made up his mind.
" Who is It.? Tell us, won't you? We
are getting greatly interested Mrs
Grant said.
Don't you think you can wait un'
til have made the appointment" Gen
eral Grant asked.
" I really wish you would tell us TO-
night, Mrs. Grant persisted.
Oh wait said the General. Wal
until tomorrow
"The next day General Grant sen
to the Senate the nomination Of Nor
rison r. Waite. of Ohio, having beel
assured that It would he confirmed
unanimously That evening, at dinner
Mrs. Grant said to him:
Why didn't you tell us yesterda'
that you we're going to make thi
nomination.
why did tell you Genera
Grant replied
You surely are mistaken; W
asked you and you wouldn't tell us
my daughter answered.
4 certainly did tell you the Gen
eral insisted. I said Waite" Il WASH
my fault If you did not understsn
me-
Then. Of course. we all had heart
laugh. none enjoying the joke that
had made more than General Graz
himself"
Copyright. 1911, by 2. ]. Edwards. A
rights reserved.3