Creator
S. Hall Young
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
[1]
Wooster, Ohio: April 14, 1897
My Dear Friend:
Advices from Washington indicate that the Alaska appointment will be made very soon. My "Manager", Dr. J. B. [Campbell?], of Alba, O, was here yesterday, and we consulted what should be done as the final stroke of the campaign. Dr. Campbell, who stands as close to the Pres. as any living man, is very confident of my app't. He says that the Pres. has twice positively promised him that I should have the office, and has told other candidates that he has made up his mind to give me the place. Dr. C. says the Pres. dare not break a promise like that.
But still he thinks we ought not to leave working until the
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app't is made. Mr. Johnson of Alaska, who was District Attorney under the Harrison Administration, has lately been to Washington, and I saw a newspaper item, dated Port Townsend, Wash, to the effect that "Private advices from Washington indicate that he will be the next governor of Alaska."
But that is not very alarming - as there have been half a dozen candidates just as confident.
But still it is best to be as firmly on the safe side as possible. Dr. C. thinks that a number of my best endorsers, among whom you stand first, would better write private letters at once to the Pres. setting me forth again. You could tell him of your long acquaintance with me in Alaska & your views of any special fitness for the office. I have heard that Mr. Johnson is not acceptable to the missions in Alaska, and that he has been principally prominent in defending
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the whiskey cases. If you know this to be the case do not hesitate to say so.
And perhaps another letter to Sen. Perkins asking him to call at once on the Pres. on my behalf, would be wise.
I do not feel nervous, but shall be much relieved when the app't is made.
The app't means a great deal to me - to see you again & take a grip with you - that is much. Then it means the higher education of my girls, freedom from debt, the relief of my dear wife from harrowing cares & something laid by for the future. But it also means a great opportunity for usefulness. I am earnestly studying the peculiar questions of Alaska, & hope to be able to meet them wisely.
Please answer soon. I am looking daily for an answer to my last.
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Better state to the Pres. what the papers say of the confidence of other rival applicants for the governorship - as a reason for writing again.
I have rec'd many words from Alaska, praying for my success. You might state to the Pres. something of my popularity.
But you will know what to say.
I hope to write of my sucess next time.
Yours cordially,
S.Hall Young
[in margin: 172]
Location
Wooster, Ohio
Date Original
1897 Apr 14
Source
Original letter dimensions: 22.5 x 14 cm.
Recommended Citation
Young, S. Hall, "Letter from S. Hall Young to John Muir, 1897 Apr 14." (1897). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 2230.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/2230
Resource Identifier
muir09_0837-let.tif
File Identifier
Reel 09, Image 0837
Collection Identifier
Online finding aid for the microform version of the John Muir Correspondence http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0w1031nc
Copyright Status
Copyright status unknown
Copyright Statement
Some letters written to John Muir may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Owning Institution
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Pages
3 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
