No one on this
planet ever enjoyed a distinction more than she enjoyed that one. Her delight in being
the head of society was so frank that it disarmed criticism, and even envy. Being the
Governor’s wife and head of society, she looked for a proper kind of house to live in—a
house commensurate with these dignities—and she easily persuaded Orion to build that
house. Orion could be persuaded to do anything.
He recklessly built and furnished a
house at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, and there was no other
house in that sagebrush
capital that could approach this property for style and
cost.
When Governor Nye’s four-year term was drawing to a close, the mystery of why he
had ever consented to leave the great State of New York and help inhabit that jack-rabbit
desert was solved: he had gone out there in order to become a United States Senator.
All that was now necessary was to turn the Territory into a
State. He did it without any
difficulty. That patch of sand and that sparse population were not well fitted for the
heavy burden of a state government, but no matter, the people were willing to have the
change, and so the Governor’s game was made.
Orion’s game was made too, apparently, for he was as popular because of his honesty
as the Governor was for more substantial reasons; but at the critical moment the inborn
capriciousness of his character rose up without warning, and disaster followed.
Tuesday, April 3, 1906
The Barnes incident
again—Barnes appointed to postmastership
of Washington—Mr. Clemens prepares speech on King Leopold
of Belgium, but suppresses it after learning that our Government
will do nothing in the matter—Intends to speak at Majestic
Theatre on “The American Gentleman” but is defeated by length
of first part of program—Theodore Roosevelt the American
gentleman—Mark Twain letter sells for forty-three dollars at Nast
sale—Report cabled that Mr. Clemens was dying, in London—Reporters
interview him for American papers.
“White House Strong-Arm Methods,” Says a Local Newspaper.
SENATE MAY HOLD IT UP
New Postmaster Characterized as a
Carpetbagger—Citizens Say Selection Is an Insult.
Special to The New York Times.
WASHINGTON, April 2.—The President’s selection of
Benjamin F. Barnes,
his assistant secretary, to be Postmaster of Washington has raised a storm. It is
being criticised as
a “carpetbag” appointment, Barnes being a New Jersey man.
Members of the House and Senate criticise it, and it is reported that an effort will
be made to defeat the confirmation.
The feeling on the subject is shown to-night in the appearance of
The Evening
Star, the Administration’s strongest supporter in the city press. The Barnes matter
breaks out all over the paper. First, there is a cartoon representing the President
handing the District of Columbia an April fool cigar, which explodes, the face
of Barnes appearing in the smoke, while the President shouts “April Fool!” Next
there are three columns of interviews with prominent citizens of the District and
members of Congress, all condemning the appointment.
The leading editorial article is devoted to the subject, and says that the
President has rewarded “his tactless and too strenuous bouncer” by giving him the
Washington Post Office at double his present salary. The Star says:
“There remain, logically, to be rewarded at the expense of the District, the
policemen who shared with Mr. Barnes the honors in the
Morris drag-out. What
shall their harvest be—a local Judgeship, Commissionership, or Superintendency
of Police?”
The Star prints a string of clippings from other papers ridiculing the appointment.
Then, all over the editorial page are scattered detached paragraphs like these:
The application of White House strong-arm methods to the local Postal
Service may relieve the patrons of the office of the necessity of licking their
own stamps.
Much as Oyster Bay approves of the President it would rise in indignation
if he used his influence to supplant its local men in local offices.
The April Fool wag becomes less violent as the years go by. His style of
humor is but seldom exploited to any shocking extent. The recent appointment
of a Postmaster for Washington offers a contrary argument, but it is
only one of those exceptions which prove the rule.
When in future your letters seem to have been hit by a cyclone, passed
through a train wreck, and run through a sausage machine you will know
that they have come out of the Washington Post Office. But don’t go to the
Post Office to complain unless in need of exercise. Ladies should observe
extreme caution in this matter.
Some of the President’s local proteges are as enthusiastic for Mr. Barnes
as they were for the whipping post not long ago.
There is a strong feeling that in the matter of appointments Niagara Falls
has very much the better of the transaction.
The last reference is to the transfer of Postmaster
Merritt to Niagara Falls to
make room for Mr. Barnes. Finally The Star prints letters from citizens to the editor
protesting against the appointment.
Among the interviews with prominent citizens is one with
R. Ross Perry, a
leading lawyer, who says: “Apparently the President thinks this district should be
governed as the Romans governed a conquered province.”
D. William Oyster calls
it “an insult to our community.”
Mason W. Richardson says: “We seem to have no
rights that are worthy of respect.”
John Ridout says, “in view of the temperament
of Mr. Barnes, as disclosed in the Morris incident, the prospect for satisfactory
interviews between him and citizens acting in the exercise of their right to criticise
the administration of his office is not encouraging.”
So far as I can remember, I have kept track of the
Barnes incident by occasionally
inserting an informing clipping from the newspapers. If anything is lacking from this
procession of signal-posts it is
the President’s letter of some weeks ago. Maybe I inserted it.
Possibly I didn’t. But it is no matter. Either way will do.
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