James S. Barron to Cary T. Grayson
Title
James S. Barron to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Barron, James S.
Identifier
WWP16859
Date
1937 March 17
Description
James S. Barron writes to Cary Grayson saying that in light of his current health, he is glad that he was not nominated by FDR. He hopes to find steady paying work that will allow he and his wife a comfortable life in Washington.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dear Cary
I sincerely hope that when this letter arrives you will have been entirely restored and feeling your old self. I was in Washington about ten days ago and called your office to inquire for you and learned you were down south. If a lawyer may be permitted to advise a physician in matters of health, let me urge upon you to take the best care of yourself and not undertake too much work until you feel entirely well. I have had the flu twice and even this iron constitution of mine felt the results of it for months. My experience was that two or three weeks of absolute rest and quiet was the surest remedy.
I hope you have not been disappointed by the failure of the President to appoint me on the Maritime Commission. After reading the Act and talking with several men who were fully acquainted with the duties of the Commissioners, I came to the conclusion that about two years of that work would have about finished me up. I was interested to see that the new chairman expressed the same views and said that he hoped that his nomination would not be confirmed. I just want you to know that it was with no feeling of disappointment that the President did not appoint me to the position, for while I would have loved to have delved down into and tried to do the work efficiently and along broad lines, I must confess at the same time that retaining my present splendid health is of more importance to me and mine.
Neither of us were able to learn just what receivership position the President had in mind and tendered me through you. I infer there was some such position which had doubtless been brought to his attention by someone having been urged upon him for appointment to it, and if there is such a position now open would like to be considered for it. I have heard from several quarters that there are special appointments of attorneys to handle important litigation through the courts up to the Supreme Court. They are generally designated as special assistants to the Attorney General and are chosen because of their familiarity with and experience in court practice. I would like to have the opportunity of devoting myself to the preparation of some important case which if handled successfully would fairly entitle me to recognition. I have also heard that there are commissioners appointed for years in the handling and settlement of Indian claims and other controversies in which the United States is interested and a party, and that this field offers a fine opportunity for a lawyer who is willing to do intelligent and honest work.
It happens for the last few months my office has been crowded with work and I have been constantly engaged with the preparation and trying of cases on appeal. At the same time I do not know and have no immediate prospects for new business to surplant it when this is done. What I really want, more on Mrs. Barron’s account than my own, is a feeling of security for her and a regular income for which I am willing to give my best services. I believe we would find living in Washington both happy and interesting and I am utterly miserable when not engaged in arduous and interesting work. The truth is I feel so well and am just “raring to go” and you know the fasination that public matters have always held for me.
I would like to have an opportunity sometime to meet Mr. Roosevelt and it may be that such an opportunity may present itself where you could make that possible. In that event you can communicate with me and I can come up at such time as you might designate, and embrace that opportunity to see you and him.
I sincerely hope that you are feeling entirely restored and with love to Mrs. Grayson, remain,
Sincerely,
JS Barron
I sincerely hope that when this letter arrives you will have been entirely restored and feeling your old self. I was in Washington about ten days ago and called your office to inquire for you and learned you were down south. If a lawyer may be permitted to advise a physician in matters of health, let me urge upon you to take the best care of yourself and not undertake too much work until you feel entirely well. I have had the flu twice and even this iron constitution of mine felt the results of it for months. My experience was that two or three weeks of absolute rest and quiet was the surest remedy.
I hope you have not been disappointed by the failure of the President to appoint me on the Maritime Commission. After reading the Act and talking with several men who were fully acquainted with the duties of the Commissioners, I came to the conclusion that about two years of that work would have about finished me up. I was interested to see that the new chairman expressed the same views and said that he hoped that his nomination would not be confirmed. I just want you to know that it was with no feeling of disappointment that the President did not appoint me to the position, for while I would have loved to have delved down into and tried to do the work efficiently and along broad lines, I must confess at the same time that retaining my present splendid health is of more importance to me and mine.
Neither of us were able to learn just what receivership position the President had in mind and tendered me through you. I infer there was some such position which had doubtless been brought to his attention by someone having been urged upon him for appointment to it, and if there is such a position now open would like to be considered for it. I have heard from several quarters that there are special appointments of attorneys to handle important litigation through the courts up to the Supreme Court. They are generally designated as special assistants to the Attorney General and are chosen because of their familiarity with and experience in court practice. I would like to have the opportunity of devoting myself to the preparation of some important case which if handled successfully would fairly entitle me to recognition. I have also heard that there are commissioners appointed for years in the handling and settlement of Indian claims and other controversies in which the United States is interested and a party, and that this field offers a fine opportunity for a lawyer who is willing to do intelligent and honest work.
It happens for the last few months my office has been crowded with work and I have been constantly engaged with the preparation and trying of cases on appeal. At the same time I do not know and have no immediate prospects for new business to surplant it when this is done. What I really want, more on Mrs. Barron’s account than my own, is a feeling of security for her and a regular income for which I am willing to give my best services. I believe we would find living in Washington both happy and interesting and I am utterly miserable when not engaged in arduous and interesting work. The truth is I feel so well and am just “raring to go” and you know the fasination that public matters have always held for me.
I would like to have an opportunity sometime to meet Mr. Roosevelt and it may be that such an opportunity may present itself where you could make that possible. In that event you can communicate with me and I can come up at such time as you might designate, and embrace that opportunity to see you and him.
I sincerely hope that you are feeling entirely restored and with love to Mrs. Grayson, remain,
Sincerely,
JS Barron
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Barron, James S., “James S. Barron to Cary T. Grayson,” 1937 March 17, WWP16859, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.