Evening journal., 1912-04-11
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Favor That a President
Maker Failed to Secure
By Holland.

Speaking from the point of view Of
political strategy, there is no doubt
that the generalship of United states
Senator Matthew Stanley Quay was
chiefly responsible for the election of
General Benjamin Harrison to the
presidency in 1883. For it was in
large part due to the tactics invented
and practiced by Senator Quay that.
General Harrison carried New York
State although David b Hill, ths|
Democratic candidate for Governor
was also triumphant at the same elec-
ton. The electoral vote of New York
State gave to the Repblican party the|
national victory in that year While
Senator Quay was, in his personal re-
laitons, one of the most charming and
considerate Of men, in politics he was
a man of ice. Sentiment never mOved|
him He looked upon politics as aI
great banker looks upon finance.
Shortly before General Harrison had
been inaugurated TO the presidency
Senator Quay called upon him for the
purpose of asking him for certain poll
tical favors. Gay knew perfectly we'll
that General Harrison was man OIL
! pecliar temperamental characteristics
among which was a certain ingraineo|
obstinacy, quality which he had lit II
/ tie tact i'm concealng But it was OBJ
/ stnacy always founded on cOnscientf
Gus conviction Quay knew that never
] did any one hold conspicuous public
! position in the United States who had
/ a keener sense of personal honor anc'
obligation than General Harrison In
/ fact it, was sometimes thought that
Harrison was SO conscientiously scru-
pulous that he leaned backward, as
the saying is
Nevertheless, Senator Quay was de-
termined that a very close personal
friend. who was also near of kin I'd
him. should be promoted from an inf
conspicuous rank in the army to 4
much higher one. He therepon called
upon President Harrison at a favor
able opportunity and asked him poin
blank to advance his friend to the
rank above that of captain.
But" said President Harrison, Il,
I do that it will be an injustice Cd
others. In the natural order of pro-
motion your friend would. before he
was 66 years OF age. reach the rani
Of senior general in command of tho
army. That would be very unfair "a
others who are ahead of him
But it wouldn't be unfair if ash
/. for it," said Senator Quay.
It would be unfair who ever asked
for IT, and / wouldn't do IT," Harrisot
said in his vigorous and peppery man.
ner
do you mean to tell me that yoi
won't make this appointment Qua,
asked.
81 certainly do A"
Well I'd like to have you tell ml
who made you President of the Unitet
States. Didn't | make you President
and haven't l the right to ask on,
favor Of you?"
mo. sir. you did not make ml
President Harrison replied
If 7 did not. who did?"
II am President by dispensation o.
Providence" General Harrison an
swered
That was enough Quay turned OF
his heel and quilted the Presidents of
fee He was still very angry when III
happened to meet in front OF thu
Treasury Department Colonel Bob
Ingersoll He told Ingersoll wha
President Harrison had said.
whats that Ingersoll asked,
He told me just now that he wa
President by a dispensation of Provi
dence Quay repeated.
well" replied lnsersoll. ~ hav'
been accused Of saving some prett'
hard THINGS. but ] am certain that
never said anvthing quite so severe q
Ben Harrison did just now. when h
told you that he was President by dis
pensation Of Providence"
instantly Senator Quay who was
man of much humor. saw the joke and
taking Colonel Ingersolfs arm. HI
walked along with him, both Of then
chucklins prodigiously.
Copyright 1912 hv Associated Liter
airy Press.)
Tomorrow Mr. Edwards viii tell O
"A Fee That a Famous Lawye
Thought Was Big