The intimate papers of Colonel House arranged as a narrative by Charles Seymour.

98 INTIMATE PAPERS OF COLONEL HOUSE

as soon as his health permits. McCombs seems terribly
" cut up " over the fact that Governor Wilson has not offered
him all that he desired and that he tendered him an Ambassadorship instead of a Cabinet place.
'I called up Governor Wilson to talk things over, and he
asked if I still held to my advice about Mr. Bryan, and I
answered "yes." This is the third or fourth time he has
asked me this. It shows how distrustful he is of having Mr.
Bryan in his Cabinet....
'December 21, 1912: Tumulty telephoned about the Governor's and Bryan's interview. Bryan was in fine humor and
everything was lovely.+ He asked me to send a further list of
men whom I thought it best for the Governor to see. I had
already sent in a list several days ago to Trenton.
'McAdoo... is now anxious to go to Staunton, where the
Governor is to attend some celebration given in his honor on
the 28th, and some of McAdoo's friends are urging him to go,
telling him he is effacing himself too much and will be forgotten. I advised to the contrary, but wished him to use his
own judgment.
'December 23, 1912 [House and Colonel George Harvey
taking lunch together]: Martin was also at lunch. Harvey
told him that I was the best adviser the President-elect had,
and that he thought I should be given the Secretaryship of
the Treasury. Martin wanted to know, if my health permitted, would I take it? I replied, "Not if I were as strong
as a bull!"; that, as it was, the Governor discussed everything frankly and without fear of misunderstanding, but
that if I were an applicant for any position both he and I
would feel the restraint...
'The more I see of McAdoo, the better I like him. He is
a splendid fellow, whole-souled, and generous, without a
tinge of envy, and with it all he is honest and progressive.
1 At this interview Mr. Bryan was offered the Secretaryship of State
and tentatively accepted it.