The Washington herald., 1914-04-21
HISTORY BUILDERS.
A Political "Reminiscences of an ex-
Postmaster General.
Written Expressly for The Herald.
by DIR. K. J. EDWARDS.

written expressly Tor Tne heralu-
by DIR. 4. J. EDWARDS.
When narrating to me recently his own
experience in the difficult work of Cabi-
net construction. Gen Thomas L. James.
who was Postmaster General in the Cab
inets of Presidents Garfield and Arthur,
said:
II think. after all. the most impressive
of all the incidents associated with the
selection Of me by Gen. Garfield as Post
master General was a half hours chat
which I had with James @. Blaine just
before I called upon Gen. Garfield. In re-
sponse to his invitation, at his apart
ments In Washington two days before his
Inauguration.
II had been summoned to Washington
by telegram from Whitelaw Reid, who
was upon the most intimate relations
with Gen. Garfield. especially in the few
weeks preceding Garfield's inauguration
as President.
II arrived in Washington early in the
morning Of March 2 and went at once to
Mr.. Reid's rooms in the old Arlington
Hotel. He was in bed when he received
me. He said to me: Gen. Garfield wants
to see you at 10 o'clock this morning. I
presume you understand what he wants
to see you for. But before you go to his
hotel IL is thought best that you call upon
Mr.. Blaine at his house. He will be ex-
pecting you. You have just about time
enough to wash up, put on fresh linen.
get quick breakfast. and then reach
Mr.. Blaine's house at the hour when he
will be looking for you
'Mr. Blaine, who. everybody knew, was
to be President Garfield's Secretary of
State-for that was the only Cabinet Sc
lection OF which there had been public
announcement-greeted me with the ut
most cordiality. / knew him slightly. al
most casually. His greeting. however.
OF me was like that of an old friend. I
had heard much OF the personal charm
which Blaine was able to reveal when
ever he cared to do it. and realized what
that charm was before had been with
him five minutes.
He said to be pleasantly. almost in
formally. that he presumed I knew that
Gen. Garfield had made up his mind to
ask me to become Postmaster General
In the reply I said that l presumed
that II was for that reason that Gen. Gar
field had summoned me to Washington.
and then added that l had received pos
tive intimation that l would be called to
the Cabinet as Postmaster General
Mr.. Blaine said some very pleasant
things. He intimated that Gen. Garfield
had always been especially Interested in
the management OF the New York post
office. and had admired the civil service
program which l had adopted there be-
fore 1t was compulsory by law. He fur
thermore told me that there probably
would be some embarrassing and difh-
cult responsibilities for the new Postmas-
ter General to meet.
AT last he said. in substantially these
words: OF your qualifications for this
office Gen. Garfield has not the slightest
doubt, and from the point of view OF poll
tics he is certain that the selection Of you
as Postmaster General will be a good
thing. But there is just one thing which
II Is necessary to be sure about.
Il looked at Mr.. Blaine in some aston
holding smething back. He smiled pleas
antly and then said:
In the event that Senator Conkling
should ALLEVIATE himself from Gen. Gar
field and should attempt factional dis
turbance. where would you be found?
You have always been an intimate per
sonal and political friend of Conkling and
II was upon his recommendation that
Gen. Grant appointed you postmaster OF
New York
Il then for the first time realized that
Gen. Garfield and Mr.. Blaine expected to
encounter hostility from Senator Conk-
ling.
In reply to Mr.. Blaine. said: of
course, every member Of the Cabinet
must give loyal support TO the President.
II the time ever came when that support
could not be given. then the Cabinet Of
icer could honorably do only one thing.
and that is to resign. And that is my
answer to your question
That is all I wanted to know. Thaf
is entirely satisfactory. Now hurry away
and sec Gen. Garfield. and say to MN
that you have already seen me-. said Mr..
Blaine.
within an hour had been offered the
position in his Cabinet by the President,
and was on my return journey to New
York"
lCoTyusht 1915 by Dr. F ]. Edwards All rights
reScTTCd.l
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell