But I found out upon inquiry that in no event would Jacobs receive the appointment.

I was also reliably informed that I had not been recommended nor suggested by any one, but that the Governor's action was the result of the favorable impression I had made upon him when I presented the slate.

For this, of course, I was in no way responsible.
In fact the impression of my fitness for the office that my brief talk had made upon the Governor was just what the club had hoped I would be able to accomplish in the interest of the whole slate.

That it so happened that I was the beneficiary of the favorable impression that my brief talk had made upon the Governor may have been unfortunate in one respect, but it was an unconscious act for which I could not be censured.

After consulting, therefore, with a few personal friends and local party leaders, I decided to accept the appointment although, in consequence of my youth and inexperience, I had serious doubts as to my ability to discharge the duties of the office which at that time was one of considerable importance.
Then the bond question loomed up, which was one of the greatest obstacles in my way, although the amount was only two thousand dollars.
How to give that bond was the important problem I had to solve, for, of course, no one was eligible as a bondsman who did not own real estate.
There were very few colored men who were thus eligible, and it was out of the question at that time to expect any white property owner to sign the bond of a colored man.