From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 22, 1911:

“In sending to the Senate the nomination of Charles S. Finch as postmaster of Lawrence, Kans., President Taft today complied with the dying request of the late Representative A. C. Mitchell of the second Kansas district and proved that politics are not always as cold blooded as they are painted. Mitchell promised the president to vote for reciprocity early in the special session. Long before the time for a vote came, however, he was taken seriously ill and returned to Kansas. Physicians told him he was a very sick man and he said no matter how sick he might be he would keep his promise to Taft to come to Washington and vote for reciprocity. In spite of the physicians he made the trip and cast the vote. Mrs. Mitchell wrote to the President for her husband, asking that Finch be made postmaster at Lawrence…. The day the letter reached the White House, Mr. Mitchell died. The president called to the two Kansas senators, told them the story and asked if they would oppose the nomination of Finch. They assured him there would be no opposition.”