rings.

I suppose he treated me about as well in the way of patronage as
he did any other Senator; but whenever he did anything for me it
was done so ungraciously that the concession tended to anger rather
than please.

In looking over the letters which I received from President Harrison,
I find one which would show that he placed considerable confidence
in my recommendations.

"Executive Mansion,
"Washington, _Oct. 24, 1889_.

"Hon. Shelby M. Cullom,
"Springfield, Ills.

"My dear Senator:--

"I want to say a few words further to you about the Chicago
appointments. There has been for some months a good deal of
complaint that changes were not made.

"I find that the Collector of Customs and the Collector of Internal
Revenue were appointed, the one Sept. 14, and the other Sept. 10,
1885, and that the first was confirmed May 17, 1886; and the last,
April 17, 1886. I do not have before me the record as to the
appointment of the United States District Attorney. The Assistant
Treasurer was appointed Sept. 29, 1885, and confirmed May 6, 1886.
If there had been no question raised as to the qualifications and
fitness of the persons recommended, it is quite possible that I
would have taken some steps in the matter during this month; but
the fact is, as you have told me, that at least one, and possibly
two, of the persons suggested were not of a high order of fitness,
to say the least, and some members of your Congressional delegation
interested have given me the same impression, while from outside
sources there have been a good many things said to the prejudice
of persons named for appointment. I am informed that Senator
Farwell desires to leave the case just where his recommendations
have placed it, feeling that he cannot change to any one else. I
write to know whether you also feel in that way, or whether you
desire to make any further suggestions about the matter. I have
no other purpose in connection with these appointments than to find
men, the mention of whose names will commend them to the great
business community they are to serve. No one of those named, so
far as I know, is suggestive of any personal claim upon me, and I
have no personal ends to serve. You agreed with me, I think, when
we conversed, that the appointees there should be men of as high
character for integrity and intelligence, etc., as those they would
supersede.

"In the case of the Assistant Treasurer I found on examining the