Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-08
{ ONE FORMER PRESIDENT PRO.
FITTED sy SECURING OUT.
SIDE ADVICE.
HARRISON WARNED OF CERTAIN
pEFEAT BY .RET" cLARksoN
History Shows Presidents Are Most
IsHerant Conserving Public senti.
rrsG8s end Are Misled by Cabinet
ceuHeiiors-Nsw Method Of Discuss
ing Politics.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Jan. S.--Residing within
a days Journey of the capitol is a vet
eran Journalist. retired. who is past
master in the game OF politics; albeit
he steadfastly refrains. In these later
years from appearing in the limelight.
Today. In the restaurant OF the house
OF representatives the postmaster was
found. and,altho he refused to discuss
politics even when assured, that his
name would not be used. he said:
You younger newspaper fellows
overlook the fact that the people some
times tire Of politics; but they are
always ready to read and enjoy a
good story. and will tell you one.
which you may use, and draw your own
conclusion, or, as George AIDE does, say
haec fabula docet-
II was well acquainted with Major
Beverly Tucker. famous all over the
south, and well known all over the
country. as a staunch and tried friend
OF President James Buchanan. Major
Tucker was editor of the Patriot an
influential weekly newspaper published
In Washington. One morning in 1858
he was summoned to the White House.
President Buchanan outlined to him
certain political policy and asked
his opinion concerning It. Major
Tucker said:
Since you have asked me about
It, Mr.. President, / will tell You frank
ly that regard it as unwise, absurd,
almost idiotic."
Well. well, WELL" said President
Buchanan, come here Beverly, and sit
down. Now, tell me all about it. and
what the people think. All OF my
advisers have favored this scheme, and
seem to be very emphatic. Tell me
all you know, and all about public
sentiment"
Abandons Policy.
Major Tucker frankly did so. and at
the conclusion Of his remarks President
Buchanan abandoned the proposed
policy. saying:
Beverly, the president OF the United
States knows less about public senti-
ment than any man in public life. He
may surround himself with the best
advisers, but they soon become syco-
plants to the high Office, and they
asree to everything the president says
u
he ascertains that they are blunders.
they advise him into deeper morasses
of error. Come and see me at least
once week, Beverly, and steer me
straight"
"Thirty-four years later" said the
postmaster. president Harrison sum-
moned to the White House, in May,
1892, Hon James S. Clarkson, chair
man of the republican national COM
mittee. and said to him:
Postmaster General Wanamaker
will retire the first of July, and you
may become postmaster general during
the remainder Of my term, and during
the succeeding four years. II you will
go to Minneapolis and assist my
friends in securing my denomination"
clarkson Turns Down Offer.
Not for the position Of postmaster
general, nor for any other inducement."
replied Mr.. Clarkson, will support
YOU before that convention, and it is
entirely out Of order for you to make
such a suggestion, when you know
that am pledged to Mr.. Blaine. Per-
sonally, am as good friend as you
eyer had, and have been your friend
for many years, as you know. But,
you have antagonized the senate: you
have ignored the best workers Of the
republican party; you have chilled
their political blood; and you can not
be reelected I shall not be party,
to the nomination Of man whom I
am positive can not be elected. There
fore, shall oppose your re-nomina-.
ton"
I'm spite Of that good advice, frank
and friendly as 1t was" conttnuel the
= 4
hts re- nomination, and was defeated.
There was no plank in the republican
platform in favor OF a single term in
the White House. else President Har-,
8rison might have suffered even - q;
greater defeat thans came to him lin
November, 1892" = So, :
Now. my young friend" said the
postmaster. ..are1stkrAeeouple, of.yg good.
stories really better reading than Il I