Evening journal., 1913-01-27
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
An ImprOmptu Comparison
Which Amused Roscoe
COnkIinG
BY HoILsnd.

II has always been assumed that the
violent political and personal quarrel
which estranged President James A
Garfield from Senator Roscoe Conk-
ling could have been avoided had
Senator Conkling been permitted to
designate a cabinet place and the
man 70 fiji IL in the organization Of
President Garfields cabinet.
The surmises have been many as TO
the place which Senator Conkling de-
sired for a representative OF that fac
ton Of the Republican party Of which
he was the leader. One of the most
persistently circulated reports stated
that Senator COnkling was very anx-
ious that Levi p. Morton, who was
afterward Vice President of the
United States, should be chosen by
President Garfield for Secretary Of
the Treasury.
None but the most intimate friends
OF Senator Conkling have ever known
what his real purpose was so far as
the cabinet making of President Gar
field was concerned.
In the midwinter following Car
fields election to the Presidency
Senator Conkling's seat IN the United
States Senate chamber was observed
for several days TO be vacant. AS he
was faithful in his attendance in the
Senate, this prolonged absence caus-
ed much comment. 1t was until after
his return that ii became generally
known that his absence was caused
by visit which he made to Mentor
Ohio, for the purpose of consulting
with the President-elect. But it was
not known that on his way back he
stopped off for a few hours IN New
York city.
The postmaster Of New York
Thomas L. James, received one morn
ing a confidential note signed by Ros-
coe Conkling. Mr. James waa asked
/ to call as speedily as possible on
] Senator Conkling at his rooms at the
! Fifth Avenue Hotel He was eau
/ toned not to say anything to any one
about Conkling's visit 10 New York.
Mr.. James found Senator Conkling
alone. Familiar as he was with the
Senator, he was able TO detect an ex-
/ preston of something like anxiety or
/ Impotence, and when the Senator
said to him that he was on his way
back from a visit to General Garfield
Mr.. James surmised that the visit
had not been entirely satisfactory.
"Mr. James, I have sent for you
because l learned something at Men
tor that leads me to believe that you
have been seriously considered by
General Garfield in connection with
a cabinet appointment. Do you know
anything about this?'
1T certainly has not been done
with my knowledge nor have in any
way done anything to call General
Garfield's attention to me in connec.
ton with the cabinet"
We'll. your name is certainly under
consideration" replied Senator Conk-
Aling, land I have sent for you to ask
you whether you would accept the
offer Of Secretary of the Treasury
Your appointment as Secretary of tn,
Treasury would be entirely accept
able to me-"
Senator Conkling," replied Mr.
James, At should certainly decline the
offer of the Treasury Department, fol
the simple reason that ] am no moro
qualified for service of that kind thar
YOU are qualified for the post of bishol
in the Roman Catholic Church"
Instead of being annoyed by thi
illustration, Conkling laughed. TheI
having taken one of the throat Ion
enges of which he was daily iarg
consumer. and having waited until
the lozenge had dissolved IN hi
mouth. he said: well, If not you
then some other Republican of New
York State. for it is the Treasury De
partment we want and must have. I
we can have that then. so far as W
are concerned, there will be peace.
Copyright. 1913. by r. J. Edwards
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr. Edwards will tel
q How Garfield Secured His Postmas
p ter General"