Evening journal., 1912-07-29
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Debt Of Gratitude That
President Arthur Tried
TO Pay
BY Holland


Edwin Dennison Morgan first elect
ed Governor Of New York in 1859, and
reelected two years later, was, upon
the expiration Of his second term as
Governor. in 1863. when he became
famous as a war governor elected
United States Senator from New
York. Governor Morgan had gained
even before he entered politics, a ma
tional, even international. reputation
as a merchant and banker He pos
sessed great constructive business
ability. especially in the field Of A.
nance. similar TO that which distin-
suished his cousin. Junius S. Morgan,
who was the father Of j. Pierpont
Morgan
With Governor Morgan. President
Lincoln had most intimate political
and even personal relations The
Governor was chairman Of the Repub
lican National Committee which di-
rected the Lincoln campaign for Pres
ident I'm 1860 That Of itself brought
him into close relations with Mr.. Lin
coin. After Governor Morgan became
United sites Senator he was brought
dent Lincoln, so close. in fact. that the
President was anxious that Governor
Morgan should enter his Cabinet as
Secretary Of the Treasury. After the
resignation Of Salmon p Chase as
Secretary Of the Treasury, President
Lincoln appointed as his successor,
United States Senator William Pitt
Fessenden. who reluctantly accepted
the office It was the understanding
that he should stay in the Treasury
Department only q few months. Early
in 1865 Mr.. Fessenden resigned the
Secretaryship. for he had been re-
elected United States Senator from
Maine.
President Lincoln at once offered
the Treasury Department 10 Governor
Morgan with the understanding that
the Governor should be retained as
Secretary Of the Treasury throughout
Mr.. Lincoln's second administration,
which was shortly to begin Senator
Morgan. however, could not be pre-
vailed upon TO accept the office. Polit-
ical conditions in New York State,
Governor Morgan intimated, would
not justify his resignation Of his seat
in the Senate. even for the position Of
Secretary of the Treasury
After General A Arthur became
President and had been informed by
the Secretary Of the Treasury, VIII
liam Window. that he intended to re
sign. since he had been informed he
could be reelected to the Senate from
Minnesota. President Arthur decided
10 offer the post Of Secrtary Of the
Treasury to his old-time friend. Gov
ernor Morgan.
He communicated with the Governor
informally for the purpose Of learning
whether Governor Morgan would ac-
cept the appointment The friend
who took the message from President
| Arthur to Governor Morgan said:
Governor. in addition to General
Arthus's profound conviction that you
are as highly qualified 70 serve as
Secrettry Of the Treasury as any MAI
IN the United States. there Is another
reason. a sentimental one. why he Il
anNi us that you should become
member Of his official family
Il can guess what that reason is.
Senator Morgan replied
mo doubt YOU can Presiden
Arthur said to me that he woulC
regard it as the happiest Of all associ
ations which he could make and whicl
he would make as president If he ha'
you in his cabinet He remember
vividly and with gratitude his associa
ton with you when you we're governo
in war days. He often recalls tn
oonsiderate and highly complimentar
manner In which you offered him pc
sition upon your staff He remem
bers the consideration. kindness an
patience which you showed to him. a
2 member Of your staff He traces a
his political successes and. in fac
his entire career to the good forum
which made him a member Of you
staff Now he feels that If he. as pres
ident. can have yous in his cabinet q
Secretary Of the Treasury. he wi
have done something in the way Of r.
compense to you for all Of the grei
kindnesses you did 70 him
Governor Morgan was much affec
ed bv this statement He was silei
for some moments. and then he sait
This is the second time that
have been offered the treasury depar
ment To have been asked by Pres
dent Arthur to become his Secreta
OF the Treasry is. so far as the hon
is concerned, for me. quite AS gre
as II would be we're ! actually to b
come Secretary Of the Treasury. p
there is one imperative reason viii
compels me 70 decline"
us it imperative? p the friend aske
And if so, may I tell General Arth
| what It is %
Yes II is the reason that all m
who live TO my years must aclznov
edge as imperative am nearly 50
enty-three years Of age I do r
think I need say anything more F
r I do have reason 10 be proud of I
= fact that two presidents have ask
/, me 10 become Secretary Of the TrI
-, sury"
u Copyright 1912, by F J. Edwar
All rights reserved)
/, Tomorrow Mr Edwards viii tell
n The Millions that William c. WI
r ney Apparently Wasted"