Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-12-18
The NEW SECRETARY
Stephen B. EIkins' Nomination
to Succeed Mr.. Proctor.
SEVERAL SENATOR'S OPINIONS.
The Friends of Messrs. Grant and Cheney
Express Disappointment.

Sketch of Mr.. ElIxins' Senator
HIS Crpd"mtiaIs Presented in the
Senate Yesterday without a Word of
Comment ManIsy Denies that He Said
Secretary Blaine Was in the Prssiden-
tiaI Race to Stay.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-The nomina-
ton of Hon. Stephen B. Elkins yester
day by the President to be Secretary of
some little disappointment among those
Repub lican Senators who were pushing
other candidates for the war portfolio.
These are some Western Senators who
thought the excellent record of Gen,
Grant, the Acting Secretary of War, a
Minnesota man, should havs been rec
ognized and some New England Soma
tors who had set their hearts on the
ON ination of ex-Gov. Cheney, of New
Hampshire
Senator Chandler expresses his dis
appointment frankly, but will vote for
the confirmation Of the West Virginian.
"1Iew Hampshire is very much disap-
poin! ed, - he said this morning. 1--WE
wero earnest in our support of Gov.
Cheney, and we believe his would hav g
been the best appointment. We are
still of that opinion. Mr.. Ell ms will
make a good Secretary of War; his ex
ecutive ability is undoubtei. w lille 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.. EIkius
10, infn hI1t
shire is, nevertheless, very much disap-
pointed. -
Senator Hiscock thinks the nomina-
tion of Mr.. EIkins is 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.: The nomination
must be very gratifying to the Repu bill
cans of West Virginia. MIR. Elkins has
taken a very active part in the political
campaigns of the State. and he has sur
rounded himself with large ami infu-
entail body of frienls. The appoint
ment of athan 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. "Thry're pooling the ISSUE"
was the remark. This nomination
may possibly place Elkins on the ticket
with Harrison in '92. "
Senator Proctor says he considers
the nomination a good one. Mr.. Ell
kins he said, would make an excellent
secretary, because of his acquaintance
with army matters during hisIresIdence
in the West. He thought the President
lad made wise choice.
The political aspect of the nomination
is much discussed to-day among mem
beers 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 number of
these who had failed to express any
opinion on the subject since the time
Mr.. Elkins' name was mentioned in
connection with the Cabinet, did not
hesitate 10 say that they believed Mr.
Blaine would shortly issue a letter an
nouncing that he would not b. u canii-
date in 90. MIR. Blaine s great personal
friendship for Mr.. Elkins has been war
rant for the belief among many promi
nent politicians that this knowledge OF
Mr.. Elkins' excellent executive ability
have made the Secretary of State
anxious 10 have Mr.. EiNins in the Cabl-
net, but this action on Mr.. Blaine's
part, these same politicians say, means
his Withdrawals
Other politicians, however, say that
the nomination will not in any way eff
feet the chances of Mr.. Blaine for the
Presidency, and it is stated that Mr..
Elkins himself has stated that his going
into the Cabinet can not affect the flu
Jary of State.
stephen b. Eikins was born in Perry
county, o., Sept. rs, 1871. He removed
to VI .ssouri wnen very young, was grad
uated at Missouri University in 1850,
and studied law.
He served in 1923 as captain in
the 77,h Missouri Regiment, and in
the latter year went to New Mexico,
where he was admitted to the bar in
1864 He also engaged in mi2ing and
stocA raising there and accumulated
fortune.
He was me mber OF the erritorial
Leg Stature III 1860, Attorney Gen ,ral
or the Territory in 1869 and United
Stat. Attorney in 1902 He was then
elected delegate to Congress and
served two terms from 1873 60 1877.
Nj Elninl was member of the
National Rel uhlican Committee from
| 1872 to 1884 He took an active part in
nominated James 6. Blaine for the
| Presiden y, aud earnestly supported him
| in the canvass