The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-15
Mr.. Villas Discovers that 1t Is Position of Po-
litical Power. and It Will Be Disposed of
in Such Way as to Do the Most Good.
Belief that the President Would Not
Again Veto Dependent Pension Bill.
Secretary Endicott Responds to Representa-
tive Grosvenor's Inquiry Concerning the
Records Of the War Of the Rebellion.
sPARKs's VACANT PLACE.

The Presidents Said Be Using It to Further
His Renomination.
Special to the 1ndianapolis Journal
WAsHINGToS, Feb. 14-Ths people have been
wondering about WASHINGTON for several weeks
why tho President has not appointed q successor
to General Land Commissioner Sparks. and
why the Office should remain vacant long. I
learned to-day something aboutswhy the proceed
ure has been followed which has made the
President unpopular in certain circles where as
pirau Is to the Office have been located At the
time Sparks went out Of the Land Office tho
President had his mind made up to promote Mr..
Stockslager, of Indiana, who is now the acting
Commissioners, and who has so satisfactorily
filed the position of Assistant Commissioner.
Secretary Villas. at that time Postmaster-ge gem
erai, although not unfavorably impressed with
Mr.. Stocksager. called the attention of the
President to the fact that the position Was one
of great Importance to a large body of people, .
plaza that held within itself immense political
poser, and that there was why 10
should not be placed where it would do q great
deal of good to the administration. He indi-
rectly opposed the promotion of Mr.. Stockslager,
on the ground that he could be retained as AS
sistant Commissioner and his influence and that
of his friends kept for the administration. while
the commiss oEership could be placed further 20
the West, and some good done towards making
one of the three four hopeful States Demo-
cratic. Within the past three weeks the tur-
moil in New York State between the Hill and
Cleveland factions has impressed the President
and his Cabinet with tho necessity OF solidify-
ing the administrators followers outside OF the
Eastern States. It Was discovered that tho
South had no representative in the Cabinet, as
Attorney-general Garland is not regarded q
man representing the interests OF the secession
States, and the people who do the politics there
in and that there was great deal of dissatis-
faction among the Democrats in those Western
States where the delegations to the national
convention were. up to that time. supposed to
be unanimous for the denomination of the Pres
ident. Ii would probably be denied il the state
ment was made point blank to member Of the
Cabinet but the disposition of the commissions
ership of the General Land OHce has been .
subject for Cabinet discussion, and the princi-
pal feature in debate was the political influences
the appointment would have. To-day learned
through confidential source that the com-
mlssionership has been rendered to man who
will -efther be delegate to the national ccnven-
ton, or who will dictate the delegation from mis-
Territory. The only object the President could
have in rendering this position to the man
he has offered it to would be TO get his vote in
the convention and his influence in the surround
ing country. 1t has been inrmated number
OF times that should acting Commissioner
Stockslager be overlooked in tho disposition OF
this Office he will resign, return to his district
and run for CONGRESS-. 1t is said that he can So
cure the nomination and be elected on an issue
opposed to the administration. Mr.. Stockslager
could undoubtedly do great damage 70 Mr. Cleve-
lands candidacy if he were to return TO Indiana,
as it is we'll known that the delegation in that
State is likely to be divided in any event.
especially II Governor Hill is candidate. Soc
a number of political 'juicelets" he has at his
DISPOSAL