Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-12-26
HARRISON Ind ELEIHS.

President Harrison has strengthened his
Cabinet materially by calling to it a man
of such positive force, wide acquaint-
ance. and vigorous executive ability as
MIR. Stephen B. Elkins. The appoint
ment is also interesting for the political
significance which will generally be at
tached to it Mr.. Elkins' political career
has not had its due development owing
to the fortune which first cast him in a
Territory and after ward in Democratic
State. He has long been an influential
counsellor and ruling spirit in the Repub-
Hcan party and deserves the recognition
implied in his appointment. He would
make an excellent Secretary of War in
stormy times and he will no doubt find
ways of making himself useful as the
head of a department grown somewhat
somnolent by reason of the profound and
prolonged peace with which our country
is blessed. -Phiid. Press.
President Harrison 5 selection of
Stephen B. Elkins, of West Virginia. as
Secretary of War brings into the Cabinet
man of unusual executive ability and
marked administrative powers. lie Will
bring to the President S table the expert
ence of a rounded aud widely successful
business career, supplemented by wide
and influential participation in national
politics. Had MIR. Elkins chosen to be
an officeseeker his name would have long
ago appeared in conspicuous public places
of honor and trust, but while always
taking deep interest in politics he has
preferred to remain in private life. 1t is
no secret that in this instance the office,
high and important as it is, has sought
the man, and not the man the office.
That fact is in itself rare compliment,
and president Harrison is to be congrat-
ulated on his choice.-N. Y. Mail and
Express.
Senator Faulkner. of West Virginia.
said of he Elkins nomination 1t is
the smartest piece of politics l have seen
emauate from the White House within
three years. 1t means that there Will be
but one element in the Republican, party
within my State hereafter. The Elkius
element has absorbed the Golf following.
and it is the intention of the administra
tion to claim West Virginia as a Repub-
lican State. Elbins has made more in
roads on the Demo cratic line in West
Virginia than have all his associates dur
ing the past eight years. Mr.. Elkins IN
tends to come to the United States SEN
ate but as the Democrats have all but
two of the hold over State senator's. it
will be impossible for him to succeed
either myself or Senator Kenna at the ex
piration of our present terms. Person
ally ElkiDs is one of the most popular
men | ever saw. | sometimes myself find
his magnetism almost irresistible. and
do not wonder that he has been able to
hold so much more influence than his
party in this State. His confirmation
will be prompt. l will tell you the Sc
cret of Elkins' political as well as bust
ness success. He is the staunchest friend
] ever saw. and a man must be true to
his friends II he succeeds in anything.
Elkins would stand by friend as long as
there was button on his coat"
Senator KeDna went so far as to put in
the field AN unlookedfOr presidential
combination. 1" They re pooling the is
Sues was his remark. " This nomina-
ton may possibly place Flkins on the
tickes with Harrison in 90.
The appointment of Cen Golf to high
judicial position tickled the Democratic
politicians immensely. They havn t had
80 much fun since they had the measles,
They interpreted Golf S appointment to
mean that this hopeless Democratic
State was to be abandoned by the Re
publican party, otherwise the old leader
would not have been shelved." When
the Elkins appointment hit them between
the eyes they were almost too stunned tC
think but they recovered in time to real
ize that what they are pleased to call q
desperate effort Is to be made by the Re
publican party to carry West Virginia il
1892. and that both appointments art
part of the evil design.
1t gives us pleasure to be able to say tC
our Democratic friends that thse appoint
ments, so much more than we had any
reason to expect, will help immensely
in West Virginia They will make j
easier to turn the State oyer to the Re
publican column, where such Stat
should be.
At the same time it is only a neighbor
ly frankness which compels the adms
sion that before the appointments wer
made and when there was no seriou
thought that they would be made, til,
Republicans of West Virginia had mad,
up their minds to carry the State for tn
next presidential ticket.
Why not? There are to-day in Yves
Virginia more Republicans than Demo
Gratis. Shouldn't the majority rule 2
IateHgeHcer