Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-12
AFTER THE BATTLE.
swift's appointment to japan, and Why
It Was Made.

It Was Made.
WASHINGTON, March 11th.-There has been an
active inquiry at the Washington Bureau of the
California Associated Press tonight by poll
papers to learn whether the appointment of
John F. Swift as Minister 20 Japan had apy no.
litical significance. The facts about Swift's an
pointmenI can now properly be related. 1t was
General Harrison's original intention to have
appointed Swift as member of his Cabinet
probably not Secretary of the Interior but At
torney,General or Secretary of the Navy. Mr.
Estee, however, loomed up as an applicant for
Cabinet honors. He secured petitions from the
Republican members of the California and Ne
yada Legislatures asking his appointment, and
General Harrison was inundated with letters
and kilograms from Estee and his friends pray
ing for his appointment.
General Harrison, while recognizing Estee's
abilities, did not prefer him as member of his
to oppose the wishes of the Republican organ
izations of the two Pacific States by Choosing a
man OF ms own selection to represent that sec
day is unrepresented in the Executive 1 epart-
ment OF the Government.
Mr.. swift reached Washington last Thursday
night called hither to represent California in
the Chin Chang Ping case. On Friday morning
he called upon the President and found him
surrounded by crowd of politicians. General
Harrison asked him to dine with him that
night and the invitation was accepted. They
had an opportunity for a half-hour's private
conversation, and while the President did not
say he intended to confer any official
honor upon Mr.. Swift, his remarks in
dicated that he intended t, recognize
the coasts interests by a foreign appointment.
The California delegation in Congress was
anxious to urge upon the President the appoint
ment of Swift TO Foreign Mission, but it is
understood that he counseled delay. Mr. Swift
had no notion of what Mission the President
intended offering him, but it is doubtful if
place personally more agreeable could have
been chosen for him than Minister to Japan
The President was of the opinion that the
Chinese Mission should not be given to Cali.
Chinese Government might not have received
cordially as Minister man from the State that
has led IN the hostility to Chinese immigration
THE OTHER APPOINTMENT.
Senator Palmer's friends say there is some
doubt whether he will accept the Spanish
Mission. but II is not believed the nomination
would have been made without the President
had been satisfied of its acceptance. and Mr.
Blaine has the satisfaction of having appointed
Perry Belnonts successor as the first act of his
Administration, but Belmont was beforehand
and cabled his resignation on March 4th.
here has been a liyels hustle for news re-
specting John D. Washburn, of Worcester.
Mass, appointed Minister to switzerland and il
has been almost as hard to esta Dish his identity
as that OF the Tiehborne claimant He is Sem
ator Hosr s appoin tment. and none of the mem
bers of the Massachusetts delegation knew of il
nntil his name was sent to the Senate Wash
burn is not of the manufacturing finn of Wash
burn q Moen, as was first announced. He is a
rich man. abnt 55 years of age who despises
trade, but has a fOndpess for Insurance invest
meDts He is one of the Trustees of the Clark
University. at Worcester Mas, and Senator
Hoar frankly says that the main object of his
acceptance of the swiss mission is the study of
the educational methods of Switzerland.
Senator Palmer's life is too well known to re-
quire description