St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-20
WHY HE CHOSE ELKINs.
Clarkson Gives Harrison's Sup
posed Reasons.

CHICAGO, Dec. 19.-Chairman James
committee, this morning gave what he
alleged to be President Harrison's
reasons for the appointment of Stephen
B. Elkins as secretary of war. The
story as given by Mr.. ClarksOn mega
tives the stories that have been printed
about Mr.. Elkins having been Blaine
man and that he consulted the secretary
before he accepted that place.
''ElkinS has been a Harrison man
since before the nomination of the pres
ident," said Mr.. ClarksOn, land had he
at that time had permanent residence
he would have been one of the original
members of the cabinet. Contrary to
the popular belief, Elkins led the Har-
rison forces at the convention, and he
was the brains, energy and electricity
of Mr.. Harrison'S supporters, and he
carried with him the promise made by
Mr.. Harrison. This may look a bit
queer, but it is true, nevertheless. Mr.
ElkinS is one of my warmeSt personal
friends, and know what l am talking
about. Idon't say that he did not con-
suit Blaine before he accepted the nomi-
nation, but should like to wager a
good deal that he did not. He is now a
settled resident of an influential state,
and, being a strong adherent of the pres
Ident, it was natural that he should be
named"
Among the most notable men who
either took an active part i'm the secret
deliberations today or awaited the re-
suits in the corridors were j. S. Clark
son, of Iowa, chairman of the national
committee aud president Of the national
league of clubs; eX-COngressman A. l..
Conger. Ohio member of the national
committee; eX-United States Senators
Sabin. of Minnesota, and Spooner, of
Wisconsin; A. NJ. Jones. chairman of
the Illinois state committee, and Ser
geRnt-at-ArmS Meek, of the national
house of representatives.
Among the matters discussed at the
secret sessions were the preparation and
circulation of political literature, and
the disbursement of league funds
from Chicago, as well as from New
York. The latter could not be finally
adopted by the meeting of today, but 1t
is said to be probable that the plan will
be adopted. The representatives
of the Western clubs expressed
themselves as DESTROYS of max
ing their clubs more of a
factor in the work of the National
league. The work has heretofore been
entirely controlled in the East. 1t was
desired to have Western funds dis
tributed from headquarters In Chicago.
The result of the discussion on pOliti-
cal literature was that Mr.. Clarkson
was authorized 10 appoint a committee
to prepare such literature for distribu-
ton as should deal particularly
with the arguments advanced by
the various farmers organizations
and all who do not hold orthodox Re-
publican views. Besides the president
of the national league, Gen. Clarkson,
and vice president of the league, John
son Brigham, of Cedar RapipS, To-, the
following presidents of state leagues
were in attendance: Mathew Reynolds,
St. Louis: Warren J. Squires, Toledo,
O.; w. S. Taylor, Indianapolis; John T.
Kelly, Milwaukee; j. Bailey, Bailey
vile, Kan; j. w. Lansing, Lincoln,
Neb.;s w. W. Tracy. Springfield, lii.
and E. P. Allen, Ypsilanii, Mich. Sec
retaries of state leagues: Baoadley
Slaughter. Omaha; J, W. Butterfield,
Topeka; \. j. Lester, Spring field. Ill.,;
Otto Gresham, indianapolis and c. \.
Junkin, Fairfield: 10. Members of the
national league conventions: Joseph NJ.
Pierce, st. Louis, Mo-; John Webster,
Omaha; j. G. Edwards, Peoria and Z.
G. Little, Abilene. Kan.