Agreement Terms Quotes
During the 1860 Republican nominating convention, following the custom of the time, neither Lincoln or the odds on favorite, William H. Seward, were even in Chicago. Lincoln's campaign managers wired him regarding a possible deal with Simon Cameron to obtain the votes of the Pennsylvania delegation:. Lincoln's managers were incredulous. Without bargains there was no way Lincoln stood a chance. They decided that Lincoln didn't really mean what he had said but was only "covering himself" for the record. They proceeded to deal with Cameron as well as trade for most of the prospective cabinet and some Federal judgeships as well. Lincoln won and honored all the bargains when he became president.
Asked how he felt about the possibility of his wife, Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole, becoming Vice President:
President-elect Harding had sounded out Herbert Hoover's interest in becoming Secretary of Commerce. At the time, the Commerce Department was of relatively little importance, housing only a few scientific bureaus. Hoover placed conditions upon his acceptance whereby the department, and he, would be given much more authority and funding. Word of the negotiations leaked and Hoover was asked if he was placing conditions upon the President:
