The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-03
Powerful Influences Have Been at Work in Be-
half of Ex-Gov. Rusk. of WiscOn sin, and He
Msy Be Made Secretary of Agriculture.
Probability that Mr.. James n. Huston
Will Be Given an Important Position.
President Cleveland Returns the Direct-Tay
Bill to the House with a Statement of
Reasons for Declining to Sign 1t.
HARRISON'S CABINET.
The Slate Is Unchanged, Except that Rusk
May Be Given Palmer's Place.

Tne slate rs Unchanged, Except that Rusk
May Be Given Palmer's Place.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 2-Interest in the
composition of President Harrison's Cabi-
net became intense to-day. Although it
was very generally known that the slate
sent in these dispatches last night was alb
solutely correct, there was an inclination
on the part of many prominent Republicans
to break down one piece of it
if possible, and there was some
pretty lively work put in about
General Harrison's headquarters from 10
o'clock this morning till o'clock this
afternoon, when, by almost unanimous
consent, operations were suspended. The
onslaught was made on the Secretaryship
of Agriculture. Senator Palmer's name
was very acceptable, in general terms, to
the public, but there were two or three
States not satisfied with being passed over.
Among these were California, Nebraska
and Wisconsin. A gentleman who has
taken a very prominent part in the
formation of this Cabinet, and who,
to all outward appearances, has done
very little, is ex-senator Saunders, of Ne
ID.
wife. The stately form and white head of
this old statesman have been seen fitting
through the corridors and into and ont of
the rooms at the Arlington very actively
during the past forty-eight hours. 1t was
known to all who have kept run of the
work being done that Mr.. Saunders was
advocating the selection of Ex-Governor
Furniss, of Nebraska. for Secretary of Ag-
riculture. 1t was not till this afternoon,
however, that it became known to
any considerable extent that the
work of the Nebraska delegation in
Congress was having effect. At O'Clock
the friends of Furniss announced that that
gentleman had as good chances for being
Secretary of Agriculture asSenator Palmer.
At that hour Senator Spoouer again put in
his appearance at the Arlington, and was
admitted to General Harrison's room. The
Senator announced privately to some of
his friends, just before this call, that he in
tended to make one more appeal in behalf
of Governor Rusk. No man, unless,
possibly, it be ex-senator Saunders,
has worked with as much energy and de-
termination for a Cabinet officer as Senator
Sp0Oner. He began his labors two months
ago, and has kept them up diligently, and
has succeed In removing every obstacle
placed in his way except the one of geogra-
ply. If Michigan was to come into the
Cabinet, it has been well known here for
some time that, on account of the close
proximity to that State of Wisconsin, Rusk
would be left out. During the past three
or four days it has been struggle,
geographically speaking, between Michigan
and WISCONSIN. Senator Palmer was not a
real candidate for any place i'll the Cabinet
till night before last when, becoming some
what vexed over the Endorsement of Rusk
by Senator Stockbridge, Palmer announced
openly that be was a candidate. and wanted
to win If he could. His secretary sent
number of kilograms to prominent
Republicans in Michigan, which have had
the effect of pouring. into General Harrison
obstacle that has remained In the way of
the Michigan Senator, after he took prece-
dence, over Rusk, of Wisconsin, was
in the argument that the position
sSnspre sSVd as 6RsS 6Rsied fbtf to eS Sstsr
gan did not get. the place for political
purposes, and besides, Palmer had not been
as heavily indorsed by his own constituents
as some other men. When Senator
Spooner emerged from General Harrison's
rooms he bore smile of contentment 1t
was then announced that the name of Rusk
had been placed on the slate instead OF
Palmer.
California lost all hope, yesterday. and till
held at the Capitol, which was attended by
most of the Republicans in Congress from
the Pacific slope. 1t was reported that
Swift, of California, was again being con-
sidered by General Harrison, and with the
prospect of receiving favorable action. A
delegation was again dispatchedsto the AT.
lingtOn to urge Swift's appointment. 1t has
been an exceedingly busy period at the Ar
lington for three days, but the climax was
to-day.
1t was reported that General Harrisof
desired to complete his Cabinet finally and
| forever before Sunday; that whatever
doubt might exist as to any individual
| whom he had selected would be disposed OF
| made the workers extremely active. Durins
| the day it was reported that Mr.. w. III. III
| Miller had refused to accept the Attorney
generalship on the ground that it was best
| politically. to pass over the State, but af
| terward the report was firmly contradicted
Chairman Huston, who is now in the city
has been. rendered position. which it j!
| probable he will accept, although he state,
that he is not a candidate for any favor ant
does not want the place named. 1t is very
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. treas
urer OF First Assistant Postmaster-general
At o'clock public opinion settled dowl
| to the belief that General Harrison ha,
| finally and for all time selected his Cabi
| net. 1t was considered absolutely certain
| that Mr.. Blaine will be Secretary o
| State: Mr.. Window, Secretary of tn
| Treasury; Mr.. Noble, Secretary of the In
| terror; Mr.. .Wanamaker, Postmaster general
Mr.. Proctor Secretary of War; Mr.. Miller
| AttOrney-general; Mr.. Tracy, Secretary o
| the Navy, and Governor Rusk. Secretary o
Agriculture-the same slate mentioned il
these dispatches last night, with the ex
ception of Rusk substituted for Palmer.
The friends of Swift, Palmer and Furn
iss had not, however, given up all hope
The indorsers of the latter were, indeed
somewhat confident that at last thei
man would be substituted.
Ex-Governor Albert G. Porter, of In
diana, who has been frequently mentione
for place in the Cabinet or a missi0
abroad, said to your correspondents tc
night: 1T was General Harrison
purpose to announce his Cabinet bs
fore he left indianapolis. He was onl
prevented from doing so by the New Yor
complication. / presume if he had mad
his announcement in Indianapolis he woul
have passed over New York entirely, an
included Mr.. Swift, of California, and tina
he would have had Rusk for Secretary {
Agriculture. / thought that 1t would b
wise for him to announce his Cabinet befol
coming here, as it would relieve him OF III
mense trouble, and am sure 1t would be
wise thing for him to make public n
| selections the very moment they are ina
The New York trouble has been as annie:
| bly, settled in the selection of General Trac
| as it could have been If any one was to