your biographers tell us, and your valiant battles for post-offices and revenue places, have carried your fame into the remotest corners of New Hampshire. The fearless statesmanship of your attack on the “hopping test” in the Senate has made your colleagues and many other people prick up their ears with amused curiosity. The stranger in the Senate gallery, directory in hand, easily identifies you on the floor of the Chamber as the occupant of chair No. 7. Having been a member of the Senate myself, I know what such triumphs mean. No wonder you are proud. But do not let the pride of your greatness, however just, harden your heart against ordinary mortals. Everybody loves fame. You have it in abundance. Why do you blame me for coveting a little of it? Do not grudge me that passing gleam of notoriety which comes to me through the reflex of your renown, in having my name mentioned for a few days together with yours, in this public discussion.[1]
TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY
I cannot refrain from expressing to you my thanks for what you have said to Mr. McAneny, whose report I have just received, of your determination to enforce your last civil service order. I never had any doubt as to what you would do as soon as the true state of the case came to your notice, and I am sure that decisive action now in the shape of the issuing of a general regulation, and of vigorous discipline administered to recalcitrant officers will at once and forever stop the newspaper clamor questioning the good faith of your order, and that no officer will again treat that order with contempt.
- ↑ A third letter to Senator Gallinger, dated Nov. 9, 1897, was published in the News-Letter of Nov. 12, 1897.
