The Washington herald., 1911-11-12

sisted all day. That night, with great
reluctance and in much fatigue, sur
rendered so far as to say to Mr.. Hanna,
DO as you please
How Mckinley Trapped Platt.
Next morning Mr.. Mckinley sent for
me from his hotel On my entering the
room he introduced me to several men
as the new Secretary Of the Interior. In
few minutes Senator Thomas c. Platt
raped and was admitted. was intro
duced to him-though 1 knew him. OF
course-as had been introduced to the
others.
"T suppose Mr.. Mckinley went on
to say, in a graciousness OF face and
voice he employed on certain occa-
sions, that the choice of Mr.. Bliss Is
entirely satisfactory to you
"It Is Senator PIatt replied.
IT believed then, as believe now, that
Mr.. Mckinley brought Senator Platt and
question in so public and open a man
ner that Senator Platt, there in my
presence, would have been greatly en-
barrassed had he made any other
answer.
"'Mr Thomas c. Platt,' had once
said and my words were printed, some
times acts so as to make It impossible
for self-respecting men to be associated
with him even in a worthy purpose At
all events, whether or not Mr.. Mckinley
planned to make 1t impossible for Platt
to oppose my appointment, I was
promptly confirmed the next day in the
Senate
You were in Office at the declaration
OF war with SPAIN" I said to Mr.. Bliss.
Il was. President Mckinley, every
member OF his Cabinet, and Mr. Hanna,
I'm Iad to
possible to prevent war. The Senate,
however, was savageIy belligerent Every
day Senators stormed at the President
10 send message to Congress that
would compel Spain to fight the United
States. He employed all his skill and
influence to defeat the Senate, but the
war spirit in the country rose higher
ana higher. and the Senators, gaining
encouragement from the watching pub
lie sentiment, grew ffercer and fercer.
On reaching the White House one
morning notic0i men standing in groups
and talking In whispers. I asked for the
President and was told that he was walk
Ing In the garden. MY business being
unimportant. I was about to leave when
was asked to go and see him. I found
him pacing back and forth in the long
path among the trees on the north side
OF the Executive Mansion. His hands
were clasped and his head was bent upon
his breast.
Mckinley Agony in the Garden.
Il approached and he motioned me to
his side. We walked in silence for some
time, and then I mentioned the business
that was in my mind But he did not
hear me. His face was drawn and gray
To and fro We tramped. I venturing to
say no more, he in the mute agony of a
combat with himself. I thought Of that
scene in a garden near the brook Of Ked-
ron. when Another exclaimed: My soul
Is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death
By and by the President took long
breath and. turning to me, said: Let US
go in The day following the war mes
sage was read in Congress"
Business men from boyhood, II the
phrase is permissible, Hanna, starting in
groceries and Bliss, beginning in cotton,
Were unusually fond of politics, con-
sidering the nature OF their employment
and the character OF their associations
in other directions. Mr.. Bliss was left
without a father when ne was an infant.
His mother married again and went to
New Orleans with her husband, who was
a cotton merchant.