Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-12-21
The Prr.,dent'. New secretary

SteEhen B. Elkius was not selected for
secretary 81 war on account of any par
ticulsr fitness for the strictly fficisl du-
ties of the position. He was chosen be-
cause he is born manager of men. one
of the cleverest mspipulstors of conven>
lions in the country and because he will
be very useful to Harrison iu political
way. His appointment shows that our
little president is hot on the trail OF re-
nomination. He expects to use Elkins
in more ways than one. The latter has
hitherto been known as an enthusiastic
Blsinisc. As regards the secretary OF
state the appointment may be viewed in
two ways. 1t may be the result of an
sgreem nj whereby Harrison shall secure
the nomination without opposition, but
Blaines influence shall be dominant in the
administration and his friends be taken
care o.; or it may be Hsrrison's plan TO
detach E.Kins from Blaine and secure
the services OF his active braia and I'M
scrupulous methods for himself. 10 any
case, there can be no question about the
appointment being distinctly political, and
capsbility, morally speaking, or other
wise.
The words of the Chicago Evening
Post on the appointment are burning
with unanswersble truth. Hear them:
1t must be regretted that as the pres-
dental CO mpaign draws near MIR. Harri-
sons appointments indicate falling of
from the high standards by which most
of his earlier appointees were chosen.
Following closely on the elevation OF
Judge Woods, of Indianapolis, 10 the
new appellate bench, comes the election
OF Stephen B E kins to the vacant port
folio of war.
Nothing less, we think, than the exi>
gencies of a fast approaching cans
paign could have induced the president
to take into his household such a man ss
EIkins. Mr.. Harrison. of all persons,
has shown himself sensitive to the per-
sonal touch of scandal. He has quar-
relied with Quay. Summarily, and with
what appeared like untimely haste. be
dismissed Bank Examiner Drew to avoid
even the appearance of evil. He has
only with manifest reluctance tolerated
the appearance in Washington OF
that train of adventures who
have attached themselves to his
party since the war. Yet of
this disreputsble school of policicsl fl
nanciers ''Steve" Elkins is the most dsr,
ing and inscriptions. Cool and i'm
penetrable, openly casting high princi-
pie to the winds and sardonically laugh
ing at that pretense of righteousness
under which some of his more scrupu-
lous associates have cloaked their
cours es, Elkins has grown rich and pow
erful by improving the opportunities
which many years of republican absolut
ism afforded him. His associates and
moral equals are such men as Dorsey and
Quay. His most notable services TO the
country are best recorded in the story of
the star route scandal. HIS best qualifl-
cations for the portfolio of war are mil :
gled ignorance of and cont empt for the
constitution be will swear to obey.
Mr.. Elkins has hi herto been accounted
NATURALLY enough partisan of Mr..
Blaine. His invitation to Mr.. Harrison 8
cabinet conveys the unpleasant intima-
ton that some important agreement has
been reached between the president and
his secretary of state.