I told him at the same time that I did not believe Mr.
Russell would accept the office. Next to him was Samuel W.
McCall, and the fifth name was that of John W. Candler. Next
came Congressman Frank W. Rockwell. A messenger was sent
to Boston that afternoon. He got there before daylight the
next morning, and found Mr. Russell was absent on a long
journey to the South. It was not thought the chances of
his acceptance made it worth while to keep the office open.
So it was offered to Mr. Hart, who accepted it.
Pretty soon afterward there came a vacancy in the United
States Circuit Court for the First Judicial Circuit by the
resignation of Judge Lowell. I desired to have Judge Putnam,
of Maine, succeed him. He, too, was a Democrat. I did now
know exactly what to do about it, after my experience in the
post-office matter. So I saw Judge Gray of the Supreme Court,
who had a high regard for Putnam, and asked him if he would
be willing to recommend him to the President. Judge Gray
said he would do it if the President applied to him for advice.
But he was not willing to offer such advice unasked.
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