Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-22
RESPECTS LAST WISH
OF Ills DYING FRIEND
Taft Appoints Postmaster
Recommended by Late
Representative Mitchell.

In sending to the Senate today the NOM
ination Of Charles 8. Finch to be post
master at Lawrence, Kan, President
Taft gave the last touch to one Of the
most pathetic stories of public life and
again showed the big heart within him.
A year ago Alexander c. Mitchell en-
tered the republican primaries in the
congressional race in the second Kansas
district. His opponent was Representa-
tive Scott. regarded as one Of the best
men the state has known. Mr.. Mitchell
was an insurgent and made his campaign
on an out-and-out anti-Cannon issue.
Scott Loyal to Cannon.
Mr. Scott declined to attack the former
Speaker and made the best fight possible.
Insurgency was ripe. however, and
Mitchell was nominated In November
he was elected. He was an avowed In
surgent, a follower of Senator Bristow
and Gov. Stubs. and, dsliking Presi-
dent Taft's political ideas and policies.
with the exception of Canadian reciproc-
ity.
But in the campaign for nomination
and election Mitchell developed fatal
disease, one that his physician told him
advised to take all the rest possible and
not come to Washington at all. AS the
reciprocity grew hotter and hotter, and
the President struggled with adverse
conditions to bring about the ratification
of the treaty with Canada, Mitchell
grew restless. He sympathized more and
more with the President and told his ply
sician he was coming here in April to
cast his vote to help out the President.
IF you do you will shorten your nfe,'
the physician again repeated.
Pledges Vote to Taft.
The sick man walked into the White
House one day and told the President
that he had come on here to cast one
vote for him II may oppose you in
some things" he frankly told the
President, but I am with you on reci-
procity. and you are making friends by
your great fight"
The President was touched. He ad-
vised the representative to return to
Kansas. saying that there were suffi-
cient votes in the House to carry the
day there. The conference between the
two men developed a warm feeling.
After casting his vote for reciprocity
Mitchell returned to Lawrence his
home town. in bad condition physically
His physician was right. Slowly the
shadows gathered, and ten days age
death brought its relief.
Mitchell continued to try to attend to
some business up to within a short
time of his death. He had sent to the
White House the recommendation fol
the nomination Of Finch. Senator
Bristow had another candidate and
Senator Curtis wanted the old post
master retained.
Mitchel1's Last Plea.
.I wish I could get Finch's name sent
to the Senate before I die" Mitchell one
day told his wife, just before he entered
upon the hereafter. Finch has been my
lifelong friend and gave him my prom
ise that 1 would have him appointed u
The loyal. grief-stricken little wife re.
membered. and when the last solemn
words had been said by the minister al
the grave and she returned to the desc
late home she sat down and wrote the
story to Mr.. Taft.
Quickly the President sent for Senator
Curtis. Il want you to arrange this
matter with Bristow so that Finch car
| be nominated without a fight upon him, "
| the President said with a determination
Curtis had never heard before. And i,
| was arranged. Finch's name went in
today and the dying hope Of the Kausan
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