The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-11-18
When Mckinley Became Presi-
dent is Shown by History
after That Time.
[By Charles Brooks. Smith I.

SSN0OoA eNdtAdu 1Oh un OIL discus
sion Of contemporary subjects OF pres
eHt vital concern to'our national life
and lead him cautiously, very eau
tously, so that he will not suspect 1t.
on 10 line of talk which has to do
with his political activities and in
timacies in the years, over a quarter
of century ago before he was APP
pointed to the bench by President
Harrison, then the interviewer is al
most certain to learn of matters OF
historical interest which never got to
the public before; of the intimacles OF
the, great party leaders of their times;
.of circumstances, conditions and
events, while they came to pass many
years ago are fresh and new ana in
teresting today because they have new
er been told before.
For instance, how many West yir-
ginians know that this foremost cit
lien Of their state, was offered an op-
portunity to become for a second time
the member OF presidents cabinet
Very few, we warrant. Yet, that is
what happened. 1t was not only Of
fered to him by William Mckinley, but
Con at interviews in Canton and at
the Goff home in Clarksburg during
the space OF time preliminary to Nc
kinley's first Inauguration, when he
was busy constructing his cabinet.
Goff and Mckinley were very close,
intimate friends. Their friendship
began when they were in the army.
They were thrown together much in
those stirring, dangerous days, and
their friendship continued in all the
years after, becoming more and more
intimate, till 1t was Mack" and Nate"
when they We're alone together, and
free from prying eyes and alert ears.
They served in the House of Represen-
tatives together. The ties which
bound them were very close. When
the plans were laid to get the presi-
dental nomination, despite the fact
that he was on the bench, it is a
pretty safe guess that the then Judge
Golf, did not neglect to do anything.
by counsel or advice, at least, that
he could do compatible with the ju-
dicial position he held at that time,
to further the high aspiration OF his
friend, William Mckinley.
The nomination won easily, and the
election not so much so, for it re.
CURED herculean efforts to stop the
Bryan and free-silver craze of that
campaign. Mckinley proceeded to
work upon his cabinet At his home
in Canton, he offered Judge Goff the
portfolio of attorney general Of the
United States, and soon afterward, in
the Goff home at Clarksburg, where
he stopped to spend a week end visit
ing and resting up, visit that few
knew anything about at. the time, he
again urged upon his friend and col
league in war and politics and the
halls OF Congress. to accept the prof
fered place. 1t was declined, with
thanks of course. Mckinley asked for
the reason. He said that he had early 4
settled on Golf as the man for the
place. recognizing and approaching
his high legal ability, his patriotism
to his government, and the loyalty of
his friendship and he expressed dis
Judge Golf suggested other leading
men Of that period, whom he pointed
out could serve equally, if not more
satisfactorily, and who were free ia
accept the place. For himself, he had
been only comparatively short time
on the bench, the work was particu- /
larly agreeably to him and he felt like
he would prefer to remain there for
some years to come. Furthermore,
his business interests were increas-
ingly large, and he felt that, with !
such bright prospects there he owed |
it. to his family to begin to look after
their welfare so that should some
thing happen to take him away from
them they would be provided for as
he would like them to be And he
felt that he could not do these things
and take care of the affairs of the Office
of attorney general for-and here he
made a prediction, surprising to the
president-elect but which soon start
cd to be fulfilled; he prophesied that
the attorney generalship would be-
come one of the most. II not the most,
important secretaryship. because in
dustrial conditions had so developed
and changed that, the Sherman law.
which had long lain dormant. would
have to be revived and applied, which
would be neither an easier nor a pop
ular task, and he did not feel like
Undertaking the work which was sure
70 come about 1t would mean greater
sacrifices than he felt he was able to
make at that time or should be ex-
7ected to make in view of his long
md ungrudging public service in the
busy years of his life prior to his ele-
vation to the bench
This prediction was not accepted at
the time it was made, but shortly af-
terward President Mckinley recalled
It. 1t had come true, and it contin-
ne dfrom year to year to be made more
than ever true. Judge Golf had fore
seen with a startling clarity of vision
what was destined to come to pass.
The attorney generalship was an easy
and honorable berth when he was So
''cited TO take it. Since then, as he
declared would be the case, 1t became
anything else except easy, although
20 less honorable and many times as