Evening journal., 1912-01-09
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Two Men Who Got Ea h
ether a Cabinet Position
By Holland.

In the early winter of the last year
OF the administration of President
Hayes. the Secretary Of the Navy,
Richard Thompson OF Indiana, fami-
liarly known as Uncle Dick" for he
was of venerable years, asked the
President 10 accept his resignation. He
said that he had been offered a re-
sponsible position by Count de Lesseps
in connection with the construction,
by French syndicate of tho Panama
canal The offer carried a salary of
$500 a year, while Uncle Dicks"
salary as a cabinet officer was only
IS 900
II suppose that shall have 10 ac-
cept your resignation" the President
said. "Your reason for wanting TO re-
sign is cogeut; If your salary with De
Lesseps is continued a few years, you
will be relieved of all embarrassment
about making a living. But, just the
same, you are putting me to the en-
barrassment Of finding man who will
be willing 10 give up his vocation i'm
order to serve as Secretary of the
Navy for a few months merely"
There are lots Of men who would
jump at the chance" Uncle Dick said.
President replied. but what l want
is man who will acceptably fill your
shoes in the Navy Department"
Uncle Dicks resignation was ac-
cepted, and the President began 10
look about for just the man he wanted
While he was thus engaged, he re-
ceived a call from Stephen B. Elkins,
with whom the President was on most
l..f.
Gently Identified himself with politics
and business in the State Of West Vir-
ginia. Earlier, Mr.. Elkins had served
as delegate In Congress from the ter
ritory Of New Mexico.
"Mr. President" said Mr.. Elkins,
there is in West Virginia just the man
you want for Secretary of the Navy.
He is Major Nathan Cor, Jr."
What! the little major?' explained
President Hayes.
Gle may be little, physically, but he
is the brainiest man in the State of
West Virginia" replied Elkins. He
became United States district attorney
for West Virginia when he was only
25 and he still holds the position
HE surely wouldn't want to give
up the district attorneyship for few
months service in the cabinet" pro-
tested the President. "But he added,
If he will, will appoint him. l know
of him"
"Why," said Elkins. "he can step
from the cabinet back to the district
attorneys office as soon as your ad
ministration endsTll see Garfield (the
President-elecD. l am sure that it
can be arranged"
Apparently. it was arranged, for
| Nathan Goif, Jr., became Secretary of
the Navy when only 3S years of age;
and few days after he went out Of
office with President Hayes. President
Garfield appointed him United States
district attorney Of West Virginia.
Ten years later a vacancy occurred
in the cabinet of President Harrison;
il was necessary for him to appoint
new Secretary of War. Nathan Con,
Jr.. of West Virginia, who had mean
time been elected to three Congresses
and had made a sensational race for
Governor OF West Virginia, warmly
recommended TO President Harrison
the appointment of stephen B. Elkins
of West Virginia as Secretary of War,
and the appointment was made, Major
Goff's recommendation emphasizing
President Harrison's own desire that
Mr. Elkins should become amembcr Of
his cabinet.
! Copyright. 1912, by T. ]. Edwards.
All rights reseryed)