Evening journal., 1913-05-22
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
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How General DevenS Put
Friendship Before
Ambition
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BY uoIlsnd

The late George d. Robinson. VINO
served for many years as a member
Of Congress representing the Spring
field Mass, district, and who was
prominently suggested for the speak
ership of the lower house at the be-
ginning Of President Arthur's admin
istration, gained his great and really
national reputation by the brilliant
campaign which he made as candidate
for governor of Massachusetts against
Benjamin +. Butler.
Mr. Robinson used to describe him
self as country lawyer His home
was at Chicopee Mass, a few miles
north of Springfield But II was the
country lawyer who made the bril-
liant and successful campaign which
destroyed General Buffers political
power in Massachusetts.
Some time in the year 1882 met
Mr.. Robinson as he was entering his
hotel at Washington. ! saw that he
seemed especially pleased He said
20 me: Governor Long has done a
splendid thing He referred to john
y. Long. who was afterward secre-
tary of the navy in McKinley's cabi-
net and who was twice elected Gov
ernur of Massachusetts, while still a
very young man.
7 asked MIR. Robinson to what he
referred He replied: "He has ap-
pointed General Devens a justice Of
the Supreme Court of the State Of
Massachusetts, Did you ever hear
General Deyens speak?'
! confessed that / had never en-
ioyed the opportunity.
We'll, you have missed hearing an
orator whom | regard as without q
superior i'm the United States" Mr..
Robinson said. I have always believ-
ed that had General Dovens been
willing 10 devote himself TO oratory
he would have gained reputation
fully equal TO that of Edward Everett.
"l am very glad that Governor Long
has appointed him a justice of our
Supreme Court, and ! am especially
glad because ! am one of the few per-
sons who know what General De-
ven's loyalty TO his superior and his
nobility of character were al time
when he was attorneys general in the
cabinet Of President Hayes.
| think it was about half way in
Hayess administration when q va
cancy occurred on the bench of the
United States Circuit Court for the
district OF which Massachusetts was
a part. President Hayes, of course,
decided 10 select prominent New
England lawyer for that vacancy
General Devens was very strongly
recommended. ! think both of the
Massachusetts senator's, Hoar and
Dawes urged General Devens's ap-
pointment. President Hayes inti-
mated that he was ready to make the
appointment of General Devens, al
though he would do that with sense
OF sorrow because he would in thai
way lose a very valuable cabinet
member.
81 have been told that the Presi
dent suggested that the Massachu
sets Senators call upon General De
vens and ask him If he would be
willing to accept appointment al
United States Circuit Judge. Whethei
they were asked to do that by thu
President or whether they went o
their own accord I do not know. bu
do know that they asked Genera
Devens If he would be willing to ac
cept appointment as circuit judge o
the United States Circuit He toll
them that an appointment OF tha
! kind filed the measure of his profes
sional ambition. There was nothing
he said. which would give him great
er personal satisfaction than to servl
as United states circuit Judge.
He was told that the President wa
ready to make the appointment al
/ though he expressed a sense OF sin
cere regret that in doing SO he wouii
! lose a cabinet officer whom he 81
highly esteemed and that IL had bee
his especial hope that he should re
tain General Devens in his officia
! family until his administration wa
I ended
"Well. said General Devens In re
ply. If that is the way the Presiden
feels. ] shall stay with him until TN
end of his administration. much as
should like place upon the Unite
States bench
81 have been told. continued MI
Robinson that the President ex
pressed himself very warmly and ap
preoiatively when he heard what Gen
eral Devens said
well. the opportunity 10 serve a
a Justice Of an important court ha
come, just as General Devens has re
! tired from President Hayes's admin
istration. | strongly suspect Gov
ernor Long was told OF this instsnc
Of personal loyalty and devotio
which led General Devens 10 renal
In Hayes's cabinet. greatly as h
would have appreciated appointment
as justice of the United States Court.
(Capyright. 1913. by u. J. Edwards
All rights reserved)
Ill Ill
"The Man who was Irresponsible TO
| Atlanta. Ga"