CHAPTER XXIV.
INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY LAMAR ON THE RETAINING OF COLORED MEN IN OFFICE In selecting his first cabinet Mr.Cleveland did Mr.Lamar and the State of Mississippi the honor of making him his Secretary of the Interior.
Early in the administration, upon the occasion of my first visit to Washington after the inauguration of Mr.Cleveland, I called on Secretary Lamar to pay him my respects and tender him my congratulations upon his appointment.

When I entered his office he was engaged in conversation with some prominent New York Democrats, Mayor Grace, of New York City, being one of the party.

The Secretary received me cordially; and, after introducing me to the gentlemen with whom he was conversing, requested me to take a seat in the adjoining room, which was used as his private office, until the departure of the gentlemen with whom he was then engaged; remarking at the same time that there was an important matter about which he desired to talk with me.
I had been seated only a short while before he made his appearance.

As soon as he had taken his seat he said: "Lynch, you have shown me some favors in the past, and I desire to manifest in a substantial way my appreciation of what you have done for me and the friendly interest you have taken in me.

No one knows better than I do, or can appreciate more keenly than I can, the value of the services you have rendered me, and the satisfactory results of your friendly interest in me.