Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-12-26
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
How President Garfield
Obtained His Secretary
of the Treasury
BY Holland.

Not until the early forenoon Of the
day of the Inauguration Of James A.
Garfield as President of the United
States did he complete his cabinet
He did not know on the morning Of
the fourth of March whether or not
he would be compelled to delay the
submission of his cabinet to the Fed
eral Senate until at least day or two
alter his inauguration
General Garfield offered the post of
secretary of the treasury to William
b. Allison, United States Senator
from Iowa. That offer was made soon
after Garield's arrival in Washing
ton, two or three days preceding the
inguration. There had been an init
nation to Allison that the formal
offer would be made at that time.
General Garfield took rooms at the
old Riggs House at Washington. and
there Senator Allison met the Presi-
dent-elect and received the formal Of
fer Of the treasury portfolio. He
neither accepted nor declined il. He
asked for time to give the offer thor
ough consideration. He intimated
that If he followed his own inclina-
but he expressed i'm terms of high APP
probation his sense of the confidence
and distinction which were contained
in the offer of the Treasury Depart
ment. late at night ON the day be-
fore the inauguration Senator Allison
firmly declined the offer OF secretary
of the treasury. He gave as his rea-
son his belief that he could do bet
ter service i'm the Senate than as the
head Of the Treasury Department.
A hasty consultation between Gar
field and his friends was held and
the result was that Garfield decided
to offer the treasury portfolio to SEN
ator William Window OF Iowa. 1t
, was essential that there be haste.
Garfield. therefore, summoned a car
riagc and went 10 Senator Window 8
house. That act itself is probably
without precedent i'm the history Of
cabinet making. At the door of the
Window house the President-elect
was told that the Senator had return
ed from very late session of the
Senate and was taking short nap.
Please awaken him." Garfield said,
"and tell him that General Garfield
is here and anxious to see him on im-
perative business"
The Senator had hardly brushed the
cobwebs from his eyes, for he had
slept heavily, being very tired. His
face showed establishment tina. he
should receive a call at that time
from the President-elect.
Senator Window" said Garfield, Il
have come i'm this unconventional
way because the matter is urgent. I
have come to ask you to accept APP
pOintment as secretary of the treas
ury in my cabinet Il is. rs you
see, imperative that have an an
swer Immediately. The offer i made
to you urgently and gladly"
This is very sudden said Sen
ator Window.
Its suddenness is the reason for
my call upon YOU. for an eXtraordin-
AIRY emergency has arisen said Gar
field
How long can you wait for an
answer" Window asked.
81 should like an answer from you
in the course of an hour or two" Gar
field said.
General Window replied, you
shall have the answer as soon as
have consulted with one person"
you mean. of course, Mrs Win,
dom? You should consult with her
and ! feel confident that she will ad.
wise YOU to accept my offer"
! Garfield returned to his hotel tc
make preparations for the inaugur.
alton. Within a reasonable time hs
/ received a communication from Sen.
ator Window saying that he wOul,
accept the offer of the treasury port
folio.
/ Copyright, 1912. by Z. J. Edwards
All rights reserved.)