Wichita eagle., 1889-01-23
ALL EYES ON WEST VIRGINIA.
The Political Situation in That State Eag
erly Watched at indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 22,-The political
situation in West Virginia is attracting
close attention here, especially among Re-
publicans, and the outcome of the guber-
material imbroglio and the senatorial con-
test is being watched with the greatest in
| terest.
Anent West Virginia matters few
| weeks ago Judge Berkshire, of that state.
and the only original Harrison delegate at
Chicago, from West Virginia, came here
ostensibly to pay his respects to the presi-
dent-elect. In order to satisfy the impor-
tunities of the Unsuitable news
gatherer, the willy judge limited
at his desiring to see Stephen b. Elkins in
the cabinet. The bait took well, for the
next morning the papers of the country
chronicled an alleged boom for Elkins,
representing that the judge had comeload-
ed with petitions in favor of Elkins. 1t
| transpires, however, that the real mission
of Judge Berkshire was TO acquaint the
president-elect with the exact sssituation in
West Virginia and obtain, if possible. from
| him the attitude of his administration in
the event of dual state government.
Judge Berkshire remained here several
| days and held three or four conferences
with General Harrison. OF course what
| passed between them is notn know, but
/ this much is known. that the Judge left
| here expressing satisfaction with his re-
ception and remarking that he was not
mistaken in the character of the man he
had supported at Chicago"
The possibility that the federal govern
ment may be called upon to take a hand
! in West Virginia matters at an early day
renders every move on the political chess
| board in that state of momentous interest
| at the present juncture.
1t is noticeable that the factional diff
ference between the Republican leaders of
/ Indiana which threatened shortly after
! the election to break out into hostilities
! similar to those reputed to exist in New
/ Yark are disappearing under modifying
! influence of time. The impartial silence
! of the man on North Delaware street lends
no encouragement and the big leaders are
withdrawing" from the cabinet and
quietly making up their minds to be salts
fled with whatever is IN store for them
One no longer hears groups Of
party followers in the lobbies of the ho-
tel roundly inveighing against the al
! legged assumptions Of some other party
/ leader
! The question as to whether Indiana will
/ be represented in the cabinet is as far from
| public solution today as it was a month
| ago. Naturally there are many HoosierS
! looking forward TO obtaining offices under
the new administration and petitions are
! being privately circulated by the score. 1t
! is a significant fact, however. that outside
office seekers may profit by, that very few
Indiana applicants have filed their petit
tiOns with the president-elect. They are
are holding them until they can address
them to him without adding that bother
some atliX elect"
The sudden departure of Hon. J. S
Clarkson, of Iowa, for Washington yester-
day did not occur without attracting some
notice here. From a close friend of Mr
Clarkson who was here very recently it is
7 yaalf haf ,rl-C latn
day hao no intention Of going east for two
weeks. A gentleman well acquainted
with Mr.. Clarkson and with the political
situation gives the,following as the ex-
planation of Clarkson's change of pro-
gram and trip east. He says: sit
has been settled for several weeks
that either ClarkSon or Senator Allison
should go into the cabinet. Allison was
offered the treasury portfolio when he was
here five weeks ago, but protested he pre-
ferred TO remain in the senate. The presi-
dent-elect, however, urged that Allison
should take the matter under considera-
ton and hold himself ready to take the
treasury in case he (the president-elect)
finally insisted upon it. Allison tacitly
agreed to this, the understanding being
that if the president could finally see his
way to permit Allison to remain in the
senate he would cheerfully invite Clarkson
to a seat. Now" continued the informant.
Il believe matters have reached that point
where decision has been reached between
Allison and the president-elect before
Clarkson goes on TO consult with Allison,
as he is vitaily interested either way
The gentleman closed by predicting that
within a short time it would appear that
Allison was preparing TO assume the treas
uryship.
Very little has been heard here about
California cabinet seekers, and not an ap-
phcant has bothered General Harrison
since his election. IL is evident that Cali
fornians have been earnestly at work
They have two favorite candidates
Judge NJ. Nj. Fstee and Hon. John l.
Swift, with Estee far in the lead as re-
CARDS endorsements. In the way,of recoul-
mendations and requests that Judge
Estee be hoaered the following petitions
have been forwarded to the president
eisct:- From 6hez1ste&a centra6orom-
Inittees of California and Nevada;
from the Republican members of
the Legislatures OF California and
Nevada and from the governors
of both states; from all the Republican
members of congress from the Pacific
coast, from the state board of trade OF
California; from the chief justice of Cali
fornla, and lastly from forty per cent of
the Republican county committees Of Cali
1ornla. Those who are acquainted with
the situation acknowledge the probability
of Judge Estee's appointment to the attor-
ney generalship.
ALARGE COTTON crop.
CHARLESTON, :. c., Jan 90 The News