The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-25
CABINET GOSSIP
Speculation as to Its Complexion.
Mr.. Blaine the Central Figure and
Zone of Contention.
He Seems to Inspire a Feeling of
Awe in His Party.
They Want to Give Him Something,
Yet They Are Fearful
he is Determined to 30 the Lion at
Washington. at All Events. as Ho
Will Live There-McKinley
and the Treasury.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2i.-As all specula-
ton on the makeup Of the next Cabinet
after all turns upon the question as to
whether Mr.. Blaine will or not be the new
Secretary Of State, it becomes interesting
to consider the reasons for and against that
gentleman's acceptance of portfolio.
Concisely it may be put on the pro side
that Mr.. Blaine is too active aud energetic
man TO desire TO take no part in public
affairs, and there is no place outside of the
Cabinet that would sui. him, and ON the
con side that 1t would be no promotion for
Mr.. Blaine TO become Secretary of State,
which Office he has already held, and that
he would be satisfied with a quiet life of
luxury and ease, with social pleasures such
as could be obtained at n foreign court like
St. James or Paris, together with the adj
vantages Of good Libraries to assist him in
his literary work. II Mr.. Blaine does not
take the State portfolio, il is generally con-
ceded that Mr.. Sherman will. So the adj
herents Of both OF these gentlemen on this
question can be heard arguing from one or
the other Of these two positions.
The more recent pilgrims TO Indian.
apolis, the present Republican Mecca,
have returned from their talks with Mr..
Harrison in the belief that Mr.. Blaine
would be the premier under the new adj.
ministration. Mr.. Harrison may not have
told anyone what his intentions are, but
in an indciinablc way notion il formed
that he has practically decided to offer
him the position. The reasons given by
Mr.. Blaine's friends why he should be
given this recognition are believed TO be
too strong. IL has been represented TO
Mr.. Harrison that 10 refuse 10 recog-
nizc him is TO discrcdit the party; while
some would certainly be offended at
the appointment, moro would be dis.
pleased at a failure 10 make IL. The facts
that the Plumed knight was the candi-
date in 1854; that lac could have cot
the nomination in 1855; that lac il
regarded as the foremost man of
the party, aud that he not only worked
with all his might 20 elect Mr.. Harrison,
hut that he got all his friends, many OF
whom were disposed 10 sulk, 10 take an
active hand and work viii, ..-'ii, ..s
uugyd - s,a-o.s 40, 10 toe overlooked. 10
countcrac, all this has been held up the
bitter antagonism that Mr. Blaine has pro-
voked. Blaincs friends reply that this an.
tag0nism is not well founded; lac will win.
dictate himself In short time, overcoming
IL ALL Ii hc cannot overcome II aud make
a noble record for himself in the State De.
partment, then, il is urged, Mr. Harrison
has four years within which TO correct the
error OF the appointment That Mr.. Blaine
will readily and gracefully give way to a
successor ut any time Mr.. Harrison deems
such a step advisable. lilo might, in fact,
resign at the end Of year anyhow.
Beyond this another consideration IL
pointed out affecting the interests Of the
party. Mr. Blaine is going 10 live in
Washington, whether or not lac gets into
the Cabinet, and whether or not lac Is In
the Cabinet his clan will gather around
him, and lac will he the center OF a magic
circle, social aud political. lie Is bound
30 be central figure under any circum-
stances. but ho will probably bo stronger
rs private citizen than lac would be in
the Cabinet
II has, Tor some time, been regarded as
probable that Mr.. Wanamakcr would 20
into the Cabinet. Since Mr.. Quay's visit
10 indianapolis the impression has grown
10 almost n certainty. There are many
reasons, aside from his eminent fitness Tor
the place. given for crcdiling the report
that Mr.. Mckinley will be- made Secretary
Of the Treasury As long ~ Mr.. Sherman
was being considered in connection with
the State Department, IL left the consider
alton Of another Ohio man i0r Cabinet
honoH out Of the question. but II Mr..
Blaine is 10 DO Secretary Of State, Mr..
sherman Is not and nt once the way Is
opened for Mr.. Mckinley. The announce.
mont that hc h likely 10 be- given tho APP
pointmcnt is credited by his associates in
The House generally, and 81 received will
considerable satisfaction ID IL generally
felt that u would b. crcdilablc selection:
and one thing may be- depended upon
all the other candidates Tor Speaker OF the
House Will give their Endorsement 10 the