The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-04
Law Passed i'm Andrew john
sons Time One Of the Bonds.
SILVER MEN MAKE THE oTHER
The appointment Of Windows Sues
cesSor Difficult.
There Is No Time to Make . Selection
and Speak With the Man Of His
Choice. for He Must Act Immedi-
ate1y.

CHICAGO, Feb. Especial. l--Tn his wsshings
ton City dispatch 70 the Tribune, T. G. Crawford
says: "The difficulty outlined In the presidents
message TO congress in filling the place Of head
OF the department made vacant by death, IL one OF
the results of legislation passed by congress dur
ing the conflict with Andrew Johnson. Itwas =
law made for the especial purpose of controlling
his freedom of action. Today, IL Q cabinet
officer dies, at least four or five days ara cone
sumed with preparations for his funeral and for
the arrangements necessary for the OCCASION
1t is short time for thousands of friends OF the
dead official to show their respect and affection.
During that time the president, II he II =
man OF heart and kindly sympathfes,
as is Mr. Harrison, cannot discuss
with any one tho question of his successor.
Those who could advise him, or who might
wish to make suggestion, would not think ok
going to the White House until tho funeral wao
over. So this subject cannot properly come be-
fore the president before Tuesday.
The time for which the acting secretary can
continue in his place expires Friday; after fhao
time the president has no authority, except
through concurrent action Of the senate, to au.
thorize anyone to fulfill the duties of SECRETARY
Of the treasury. Under the existing law he viii
have less than five days for the purpose. II th1r
law is not changed he must report some
name to the Senate before Friday, and the Senate
must confirm on that date, otherwise the trens-
ury would be without head. The president
Representative Cannon ON the subject, and
hopes that unanimous consent will be given to
change the law. 1t is most important that such
change should be made.
The very circumstances OF the case circunns
scribe TO great degree the presidents choice.
The limit OF time makes II impossible for him -
seek any man living at distance. III he snould
want to appoint anyone from the Pacific COASTS
there would be no time for consultation, or even
for response to an invitation. Il is Important
that the man selected for the treasury shall b.
fully in accord with the policy of the admins.
tration. This can be determined only by q per-
sonal interview between the president and tke
person he may wish to select
Then there is an uncertain element In e.o
situation, which perhaps the president himsols
has never considered, and that Is thisf Might
not the silver senators refuse to confirm . secxo.
tary of the treasury who is not committed 70
their view Of unlimited free coinage? Theoo
gentlemen cooperating with Mr.. German and
his solid support of Democrats, are today mas
ter of the Senate. II they wish to throw con-
fusion into the affairs of the treasury b.
refusing TO confirm any one sent up By ~
president they have IL in their power 70 do q.
Under their peculiar line of tactics they would
place the responsibility for any confualon ~
trouble in financial circles growing out Of nuCln
action on the wicked conduct Of the adrninlstx4x
tion who had not sent them secretary Of th.t
treasury wholly committed to the doctrine a.
free coinage of silver.
The silver men have by no means ended theiR
fight in congress. Whether they would pre-
sumo to make fight on an appointment ~.
mains to be seen II they do intnnd = make
such fight they win undoubtedly oppose any
change In the existing law the change Of which
has been asked by the president.
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. s.-The first cabinet
meeting held since Windows death met today
at ii 30 o'clock. All the members were present.
The question of flling the vacancy in the de.
partment was discussed.
COLUMBUS, o., Feb. 3.-The Republican nems
bers of the legislature have signed communi-
cation to President Harrison, suggesting ex-
Governor Foster, of Ohio, q proper person -
be appointed secretary of the treasury,