The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-13
FLORIDA REPUBLICANISM
Under Roosevelt and Taft

AS the little old man from Tennes-
see was disposed of, the president
turned to Senator Hanna, who had
joined me. The senator introduced
me. saying that was one OF the men
In Florida whom President Mckinley
and himself had relied on. I'VE have
tried him." he said, and he has al
ways proved faithful l would ike
very much to see him reappointed"
The president gave my hand a
pump-handle shake, and. repeating my
name a couple of times, asked: Aren't
you the man I appointed collector OF
customs at Key West a few days
ago?"
mo. Mr.. President" I replied; that
was Geo. Allen"
That's right" he said do you
know hinf?'
] replied that I ala.
What kind OF a man is he?"
He Is one of Gods noblemen, one
Of the finest men have ever known, :,
i replied
The president looked at me as II
surprised and said: II am glad to
hear that, and I am glad to hear one
southern Republican speak well OF an
otherkone. I don't hear 1t very often
Hanna Was Hopeful.
The president then assured us that
my case would receive due considera-
ton and turned his attention to his
remaining callers. The senator and I
left and l accompanied him to his
home In his carriage. He had been
driven to the White House owing to a
slight attack of govt he was then suf-
ferfng from. On the way he said to
me:
I hope this man is going to do
right He has promised to carry out
McKinley's policies and 50 far has
recognized my recommendations in
regard to reappointment of our
friends. He Is cratic and may jump
the track at any time. I am making
up q list OF those in whom / am
specially interested and will put your
name on 1t, and believe you viii be
appointed
Before leaving the senator I gave
him . synopsis Of the situation in
Florida as 1t related to me, and he
told me to keep him advised of any
Developments.
Later was told by the mutual
friends OF Mr.. Coombs and myself
then in Washington that the result Of
the interview arranged for with the
president was that he asked Mr..
Coombs to take hold of the Florida
5 situation as his representative. He
directed him to go to Florida and talk
with various parties, Gunby and An
dergon who had stirred him up on the
rottenness Of things in Florida, W. w.
Dewhurst, q lawyer of st. Augustine
of whom ne had heard favorabfy, and
one or two others.
Coonbs Becomes Dictator.
All OF this happened just before
Christmas, and Mr.. Coombs came on
TO. Florida and wired the different
gentlemen requesting them to meet
him In Jacksonville to discuss politi-
cal matters. He did not advise them
Of the political connection he had
made at the White House. and none
OF them cared enough about Mr..
Coombs's views OF the political situa-
ton to allow them to interfere with
their respective Christmas dinners and
none OF them met him in Jacksonville.
He rushed back to Washington I'M
mediately after the holidays At about
the same time there were besides my
self. also from Florida, n: s. Chubb.
chairman of the state committees: NJ.
s13. Mcfarlane, collector OF customs of
Tampa; w. @. Robinson, register OF
the land office, Gainesville; j. N.
Stripping. United States district at
torney, Jacksonville; Dennis Eagan,
postmaster, Jacksonville; and j. M.
Cheney, OF Orlando, now United States
Judge. southern district. Also. W. H.
Nortflup and Mark White, the latter
colored, from Pensacola.
All were applicants for reappotnt-
ment, except Cheney, who was an ap-
plicant for appointment to the posi-
ton held. by Stripping, and had the
endorsement of Chubb and Joe Lee.
and Northup, who was an applicant
for appointment to the position held,
collector of customs at Pensacola and
Mark White who was Northup's poll
teal manager. All except Eagan and
Stripping and myself were in good
nding with the Organization
which IN reality was the silent little
black man who remained in his lit
tie office in the government build
ing In Jacksonville and deity and
shrewdly pulled the strings that made
the boys who wanted to draw gov
eminent salaries in Florida dance to
his music.
All Got Together.
Macfarlane. Robinson and Cheney
were of the best OF the representa-
tives of the Chubb-Lee organization
and men for whom / have always had
the kindest personal feeling. They
were practical enough to be satisfied
with the organization. and as they
were treated with consideration, this
was natural
Each one was consulted as to po-
litical matters in their respective To-
calities. and all Joined in resolutions
of commentator for the organization
when called upon to do so.
Coombs had not been specially iden-
tiled with them, but was considered