The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-24
Representative Merrill Refuses to Consider the
Question, and General GofT Says the Place
Would Be Distasteful to Him.
Race Prejudice in the South EyincesIt-
self Against Frederick Douglass.
To Relieve Him Of Indignity. He Will Be Taken
to Norfolk ip Government Cruiser
Preparations for Taking the Census
PENSION coMMIssIoNERsMP.
Two Good Republicans Who Could Not Afford
to Accept the Place If offered.

to Accept the Place If offered.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-The vacant COM
missionenoAip of pensions received some
more comment to-day in the use of
the names of Representative Morrill,.
of Kansas. and Gen. Nathan Golf.
of West Virginia. for the position.
The dispatches from Kansas. to-day.
at the head of the Republican side of the
House committee on invalid pensions dur
ing the past six years, and who is unani-
mously accorded the chairmanship of that
committee IL the Fifty-first Congress. was
asked by his colleague. Representative An
derson, to consider the question of accept
ing the commissionership. and that he
promptly declined. The friends of Morrill,
say it's altogether out of the question for
him to take the place. as he secured his re-
election to Congress- by scclamation, and
has climbed up to position in the House
which takes first rank. This - for him
much more pleasant than any position
within the gift of the government requir-
ing manual, as well as mental labor.
General Goff Is now In Washington, and
when asked by your correspondent this
afternoon if he would accept the commits
sionership of pensions If it were offered TO
HIM, replied: Il would not accept an APP
pointment of any kind while my title
to the governorship of West Virginia is in
dispute. was fairly elected. and although
the men who made up the returns and the
Legislature have counted me out, believe
i was elected. / have no taste for posi- :
tion like that of the commissionership of
pensions; and even though L had not the
governorship on hand. could not consider
proposition to accept the position IL It
were rendered 10 me. have no idea that
will be asked to accept the place, and am
sure could not be induced to accept it"
Gen. Goffwould make model commission
er of Pensions. He is one of the best lawyers
in the country. He went into the war at its
outset and fought to the close; Is in thor
ough harmony with the soldiers. and is be-
loved by every veteran in the country; but
General Golf would not accept the position
under any condition of circumstances, be-
cause it would yield him neither profit nor
pleasure, and would not add TO his reputa-
tion were he to fill it ever SO well.
1t is rumored that President Harrison Is
considering the appointment of A. b. Camp
bell. of Kansas, as Pension Commissioner.
Private Secretary Halford said tonight. at
Deer Park. that the appointmenf might go
over until the President went to Washing
ton; , s c. c... = p..,,
greatly strengthened by the withdrawal OF
General Merrilps name from consideration.
Before President Harrison went TO Deer
Park, last week. Senator Sherman saw HIM
and Secretary Noble in advocacy of General
Browns claims. and it is reported now that
ington, that the President is considering
him in connection with the office. In some
circles. to- night. General Brown is believed
to be the coming man.