The Washington herald., 1914-04-05
Political Procession.
BY y. d. G.

Elmer Dover-the name was one TO con-
ture with not many years ago-but how
seldom one hears II now. That does not
disturb Dover. as he is doing quite well.
thank you. out Washington State way
piiing up kopecks and wondering II the
Republican party will get back to busi-
ness In the good old way.
He went to New York recently and
looked In on his old friend George b.
Cortelyou, now a gas magnate and chair
man OF the Republican National Commit
tee, when Dover was secretary. Not
only In the Cortelyou office but In other
sections where old political friends are
eschewing politics for the sake OF
shekels. Dover's unannounced appearance
gave shock and gladness as his cheer
continues In spite of his going out of the
political game. He Is young enough to
take hold again IL SO inclined and his
long experience as Mark Hanna's secre-
tary and as a high official In the national
committee will make him welcome when
work begins to elect a Republican Presi-
dent. Dover's career was quick and not
able with something of the romantic in
the rapidity OF his rise in political af-
fairs. He was a modest country news
paperman in Portsmouth, Ohio. when
given a clerkship at the Mckinley head
quarters in 1896. He hardly knew Chair
AAoAAiids Dub IOhHu AtoSFi
officials and was retained for the un-
usual proposition Of after-election head
quarters at Washington. Hanna was
soon Senator and later complained that
he lacked an actual Ohio man for sec
retary. He was told that he had a
young man in the back office well quail
fied-a man named Dover.
Send him in until 1 look him over"
was Hanna's response. and Dover came
In NEW-
appointed confidential secretary to the
great manager. The Dover star kept high
in sky all through Hannas Senatorial
life and political warfare. with Dover
faithful to the end that came in 1904
when Hanna had a full Senatorial term
ahead
Those who thought Dover out of il
with the death of Hanna had another
guess coming. He continued on his own
account as secretary OF the national COM
mittee throughout the campaign that
elected Roosevelt For some reason never
well understood he failed to assimilate
with Chairman Hitchcock's organization
and though elected secretary. chose to
resign and go into private paths. also CIV
ing up his legal residence in Ohio. which
was much regretted by his admirers.
There were three minutes of commotion
in the State Department the other day,
when an anxious Republican. of Ohio.
phoned to Wilbur J. Carr. the efficient
consular chief. and wanted to know
when, how and why Samuel NJ. Taylor.
consul at Nottingham. England. had been
dropped from the official list. Director
Carr was somewhat startled by the in
terrogation and indicated to the anxious
one that he must be a bit mixed. as
Taylor was yet consul and mighty
good one. with long service to his credit
and more coming.
Then the Ohio Republican asked Carr
to look at the latest Congressional di-
rectory and peruse. please. a line that an
nounced William p. Quann as consul at
Nottingham. There was the added re-
mark by the Ohio Republican that the
name of Taylor could not be found any
where In the consular list and that in
previous lists at hand. Quann had been
listed as consular agent attached to the
consulate at Dundee.
Carr took a look at his directory as
advised, and was nOnplussed. Some edi-
tor or assistant had simply put Sam
Taylor out of business for the govern
ment and promoted a man unknown to
the department. How il happened has
not yet been explained but the friends Of
Taylor have taken pains to let II bc
known, out Ohio way and in Washington.
that he remains very much on the job
Taylor was prominent in Ohio politics
twenty years ago when he was chosen
Secretary of State by 10000. the largest
majority ever recorded in Ohio up to that
time. His wonderful victory did much
to boost the Mckinley boom for Presi-
dent. as Mckinley was then governor.
One of the first appointments by Nc
kinley, as President. was that of Taylor
TO be consul at Glasgow. and he has
kept in the service ever since.