The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-12-18
THE NEW seer BTARY
Stephen B. E,kins' Nomination
to Succeed MIR. Proctor.
SEVERAL SENATOR'S OPINIONS
The Friends Of Messrs, Grant and Ohoua,
Express Msappoin ment'

Sketch of MI Ekins' Cnreor- sennt,t
Hfrs Crrd,utiai. Presented in tn
Senate Yesterday without word q
Coiuino NIanlry Denies that lie sail
Secretary blaine Was In the PresideIr
tial Race to stay.
WASHINGTON, Dec 18 The nomiua-
tion of Hon. Stephen B. Elkins yestsr-
day by the President TO be Secretary OF
War in pltce Of Mra Proctor, has cause d
some little disappointment among those
Republican Senator'S who were pushing
other candidates for the war portfolio.
These are some Western Senators VIII o
thought the excellent record Of Gen,
Grant, the Acting Secretary Of War, a
Minnesota man, should havs bseu rec
ognized and some New England Sena-
tors who had set their hearts on the
nomination of ex-Gov, Cheney, of New
Hampshire.
Senator Chandler expresses his dis
appointment frankly, hut will vote for
the confirmation Of the West Virgiuian.
''New II tmpshire is very much disap-
pointed, he said this morning. eve
were earnest in our support of Gov
Cheney ami We believe his would hav O
been the best appointment. We are
still OF that opinion Mr.. El k ius will
make a good Secretary OF War; his eX
ecutlve ability is undou btei w hile the
appointment surprised US little, we
have no complaints to make; we were
not deceived in any way. We
thought Gov Cheney's chances were
good because the President did not say
he would not be the man. Mr.. Eikins
is a good appoiutee, but New Hamp-
shire is, nevertheless, very much disap-
pointed,
Senator Hiscock thinks the nomina-
tiou Of MIR Elkins is "A good thing. He
said; "He will make an admirable
Secretary. West Virginia is very much
pleased over the nomination.
Senator Faulkner said when he heard
Of the nomination; "Ihe nomination
must be very gratifying to the Republi-
cans OF West Virginia. Mr., Elkins has
taken a very active part in the political
campaigns of the State, and he has sur
rounded himself with a large and inilu-
ential body of friends. The appoint
ment of az han Golf as Judge and the
nomination of Elkins as Secretary Of
War, coming just prior to the opening
of the Presidential year, indicates the
importance West Virginia has in the
opinion OF the Republican leaders"
Senator kenna also looked at the
nomination through political glasses.
He even went so far as to put in the
field an unlocked for presidential com
bination. They're pooling the issue,
was the remark. This nomination
may possibly place Elkins on the ticket
with Harrison in 'Y2. "
Senator Proctor says he considers
the nomination good one Mr.. Ell
kIns, he said, would make an excelle ut
secretary, because of his acquaintance
with army matters during hisgresideuce
in the West, He thought the President
Lad made "A wise choice
The political aspect of the nomination
is much discussed to-day among mem
bers of both political parties in the
Senate and House Many incline TO the
belief that it is a forerunner to the
formal withdrawal of Mr. Blaine from
the Presidential race, and a number OF
these who had failed to express Rny
opinion on the subject since the time
Mr. Elkins' name was mentioned il
connection with the Cabinet, did not
hesitate 10 say that they believed Mr..
Blaine would shortly issue letter an
nouuciug that he would not bs a candi-
date in 92 Mr. Blaiue's great personal
rant for the belief among many promi
nent politicians that this knowledge oi
Mr.. Elkins' excellent executive abiii tJ
have made tins Secretary of StuUt
anxious TO have Mr.. Elkins in the CaDI.
net, but this action GU Mr. Blaine's
part, these same politicians say, means
his withdrawal
Other politicians, however, say that
the nomination Will not IN any way ef
feet the chances of Mr.. Blaine for the
Presidency, and it is stated that Mr..
ElEins himself has stated That has going
into the Cabinet can not affect the fu
ture of either the President or his Secre
tary OF STATE.
Stephen B, Elkins was born in Perry
county, O., Sept %, 1871. He removed
80 Missouri wnen very young was grad
uated al Missouri University in 1860
and studied law.
lie served in 1862 as capt ain in
the 77th Missouri Regiment and il
the latter year went TO New Mexico,
where he was admitted to tina bar in
1864 lie also engaged in miiing and
stock raising there aud accumulat TED d
fortune.
lie was a member of the Territorial
Leg gslnture IN 15j5-j, Attorney Gen ,ral
OF the Territory in 1869 and Unite,
States Attorney in 1902 lie was tber
elected a delegate to Congress ant
served two terms from 1873 20 1871
Mr.. ElNins was a member Of the
National Repu nlicau COMMITTEES from
1872 TO 1854 He took an active part il
the Chicago Convention in 1884, thai
nominated James g. Blaine tor tn,
Presidency, aud earnestly supported HIN
in the cauyass.
IN THE SENATE.