Gen. William T. Sherman Has Promised Not to Send President Benjamin Harrison Recommendations for Offices From the Many Who Apply to Him to Intercede on Their Behalf
“I regret by virtue of a promise made to President Harrison at the time of his Inauguration to the effect that I would not annoy him by recommending the thousands who would apply to me for personal influence with him.”
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Before the days of the civil service, presidents were inundated with requests for offices. As Abraham Lincoln said, “I am being hounded to death by office seekers, who pursue me early and late.” He would seek to escape them...
Acquired from the descendants of the recipient and never before offered for sale
Before the days of the civil service, presidents were inundated with requests for offices. As Abraham Lincoln said, “I am being hounded to death by office seekers, who pursue me early and late.” He would seek to escape them when he could. When Benjamin Harrison was inaugurated, he followed Democrat Grover Cleveland. That meant that most offices in the purview of the president would be vacated of Democrats and open for new Republican applicants. He surely dreaded the task of “being hounded to death by office seekers.” These office seekers sometimes would go directly to the president and wait to speak with him in the White House anteroom. At other times, they would approach people with influence over the president, present their case to them, and ask for their intervention.
One of these influential people was Gen. William T. Sherman, who promised Harrison he would refrain with pestering him with office requests. Letter signed, New York, June 4, 1890, to Langdon C. Easton, clearly a relative of the Langdon C. . Easton who had been Chief Quartermaster of the Armies commanded by Sherman during the Civil War from May 4, 1864, to June 27, 1865, and had been with him on the March to the Sea. Easton had written Sherman to help him get a job in the Harrison administration. Sherman declined because of his promise to Harrison, but did take some action on Easton’s behalf.
“I am just in receipt of yours of the 29th let. with enclosure. I regret by virtue of a promise made to President Harrison at the time of his Inauguration to the effect that I would not annoy him by recommending the thousands who would apply to me for personal influence with him, I cannot consistently address him as you request. I have done, however, what I think will be fully as beneficial to your cause, viz. referred your letter and copy of recommendations to the Secretary of War, all approved and recommended. With the hope that your application will receive early and favorable attention, I am very truly yours, William T. Sherman, general.”
An interesting association letter between Sherman and the Easton family, showing him refusing to bother Harrison with office requests, yet reaching out to help by contacting the Secretary of War.
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