The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-22
THE CURRENT NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
Friendship of Ex-PresIdent Hayes
and the President-EIect.
Rumors That Cen. Harrison VIII Re-
member His Old Friend.
Senator Sherman Makes a Speech
to coIored Republicans.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The report is cur-
rent that President-elect Harrison NAV ten
der ex-President Hayes a position in the
Cabinet. The basis for this conject,: ,e is Of
interest Just at this time, as it is known to a
lew tnat Gen. harrison just missed being a
member OF Presidens Hayes's Cabinet.
When the latter came to Washington a nd
was inaugurated, he remained for ,,.yara,
days at the residence of Senator Sherman.
Mr.. Hayes recognized the marked ability Of
Gen. Harrison, and the fact that he had
made magnificent. although unsuccessful
race for the governorsbip-taking the nomi-
nation under the stress of circumstances Gre
ated by the retirement OF Godloye S. Orth.
the regular nominee-had its influence. Sem
ator ollver r. Morton was then manipulat-
ing tne politics OF Indiana and the burden of
met fell upon him. He attempted. however.
to have the. delegation from the State in
Congress relieve him from the embarrass-
ment Senator Morton was very kindly in
clined to Gen. Harrison, but there we've 9TH
er Republicans to whom he felt under obli-
cations, and he did not desire to make the
recommendation himself.
There were several meetings of the Indi-
ana delegation, but no agreement was reach
ed as to who should have the Cabinet porIfu-
Ito. Gen. j. N. Tyner, who has figured since
that time conspicuously in Indiana politics,
was Postmaster General, and the Indianians
wanted him retained. Mr.. Hayes refused to
DO this, however, and he was seconded in
bis conclusion by Senator Sherman, on the
ground that II he retained sone Of the old
Cabinet officers he would have to retain 9TH
ers, and he wanted to make clean sweep.
Senator Sherman's inclination coincided
with President Hayes's idea that Gen. Har-
rison should be the Indiana representative
In the Cabinet Mr.. Hayes said he would
make him either Secretary of War or Secre-
tary of the Navy.
After one of the conferences one night
some of the Hoosier Republicans drifted in
to Senator Morton's room at the Ebbitt
House, and the discussion was there renew
ed. The next day Senator Morton took
carriage and drove to Senator Sherman's
house. There he informed the Ohioan that
the Indiana people were unable to reach a
unanimous agreement as to who should go
into the Cabinet, and he advised the selec-
tion OF Richard Thompson of Terre Haute,
and the recommendation was acted upon.
The warm friendship between Gen. Harri-
son and MIR. Hayes antedated the campaign
Of 1876 many years. Their forefathers and
their family relatives were intimate friends
The three or four Indiana Republicans now
IN Washington who know why Gen. Harri-
son was left out of President Hayes's Cabi-
net and OF their long personal friendship,
believe that If Mr.. Hayes will consent to be-
come. a member of the new Cabinet, the
question OF how Ohio is to be provided for
will be promptly settled.
Russell Harrison has written from New
York that he will be here in "a few days, at
which tine he will probably arrange the
time of the arrival of his father, and secure
quarters for him at one OF the hotels.