Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-08
HARRISONS SHUTTLE.
INSIDE FACTS COMBINING THI RUKORED
APPOINTMENT OBJ ELKNS
0hsr Cabinet Oficss Nay Do Disposed Of and
the Active Inside Work Placed in the Hands
Of TIE Bossss-ElEns to Pose as
q Southern Man.


belief Is pretty general here this even
ing that Mr.. Stephen B. Elkins has
been rendered the portfolio Of war by
the President, and that he will begin
the discharge Of his duties on the 1st OF
October. Secretary Proctor submitted
his resignation to the President, to
take effect on the last day Of this month.
The President has accepted it and ad-
dressed a very pleasant letter TO Mr..
Proctor regarding his withdrawal from
the cabinet, but eomplimented him up
on being selected to represent his State
in the United States Senate. The news
that ElkinS had been rendered the place
and had accepted it came from an
Elkins source. 1t was limited TO a
very select few at a late hour
last night. II is being reiterated to-
day, and all the ElkinS gang feel that
the report is true. ElkinS' appointment
is going 70 be given out as a recognl-
ton Of the new South by the admins
tration. Elkins is to pose as a South
ern man and will be expected as such
TO handle the delegates from the South
ern States in the next National Conven-
ton. There are rumOrS here that some
of the Cabinet officers are very much
opposed to Elkins' appointment. Ii Is
said that Mr.. Noble does not like IT,;
that Gen. Tracy does not like it; that
Jerry Rusk thinks the President could
do a great deal better; but Foster and
Partner Miller approve, as they will APP
prove anything good, bad or Indifferent
that Harrison determines on. II Steve
gets his commission be will make pic
furesoue Cabinet officer. He would
not be much at home in the War De.
partment, although he would try 10
make himself at home for tho time be-
ing; but ia the Interior Department
with the land grant corporations to boss,
Indian contracts &c handle, pension ap-
DropriatiOns 10 deal out, patents TO spec
ulate on, he would be a mighty man.
PerhaDs a vacancy can be made abroad
in the diplomatic service that NOBLE
would consent TO FIJI. He is very anx-
Ous for diplomatic post and anxious to
get out of the Cabinet. II q vacancy
satisfactory to his taste, however, can
not be made, pressure will be brought
10 hear upon him 10 move over 70 the
War Department and give the Interior
10 Elkins.
EIKins' readiness to accept Cabinet
office under Harrison is suggestive. he
wants the title of Cabinet officer, a
sentimental cause OF his acceptance OF
Il. He is hoping TO make something
more substantial, however, than Senti-
ment out OF whatever bureau he will be
given TO boss. On Harrison'S side Of the
question the situation is very plain.
Harrison feels In his heart of hearts
that Blaine will not te in a physical or
mental condition 20 be thought OF for
Presidential nomination next year, but
he fears Blaine's friends and he fears a
rally thar is now being made TO organ
ize the opposition 10 the
denomination programme under the
Blaine banner. Consequently he
- irving to diSarm his oppo-
nents by enliSting the ablest Of the
blaine lieutenantS, men like FaSsett, OF
New York, and Elkins az large, under
TIE Harrison banner. EkinS, KerinS
and company have been recognized as
Blaine men for years back. They were
for Blaine, OF course, and would be Tor
him still II they saw the way clear to
yet him, but they are first of all for
themselves, and are always on the look
out for the hereafter. If they cannot
get their favorite, Blaine, they are al
wavs on the edge of anxiety TO be in
with the winner and to place the win
ner in. a position to be under some obi
cation to them. This is the play they
are making in trying to put Elkins in
the Cabinet.
There are a good many SneerS here on
the part of the Republican prudes at
the suggestion of ElkinS for Cabinet
Mace. but il is called TO their attention
that much more tne-strung President
than Harrison, namely, Chester A.
Arthur, made Bill Chandler a Cabinet
officer and the question is asked, II Bill
Chandler could be put in. the Cabinet
nv Arthur, why should Harrison hest
tote 10 give Elkins the portfolio? Just
now nearly everybody on the inside
IN political matters In this city
feel reasonably certain that EIkins
will 90 into the Cabinet In very short
time. 1t deed not surprise anybody II
there will be pretty thorough reor-
ganization Of the Cabinet before next
winter. 1t need not surprise anybody,
too If in the reorganization Harrison
entirely surrendered all the active work
inc 70 the bosses OF the party and
escbewed all pretenCe OF responsibility
for the time being. Garrison, like
FIlxins. would like to go into the Cabi-
nat and under the circumstances 1t
would not be astonishing IL a portfolio
we're eventually provided for Garrison.
The exuectation here is that Blaine
will get out I'm some way within
few months, that Partner Miller will
he mt on the bench, that Noble will be
disposed OF in some way or other, that
perhaps Tracy may be withdrawn by
being made the Republican candidate
for Governor Of New York, aud that
meD like Elkins, Clarkson and Platt
may be called to the Cabinet in person.
Atany rate Elkins' appointment seems
very probable at this time, but of
course, it will hang I'm the balance and
be kept as a mystery for some time yet.
Elkins is an original MiSSOurian. His
father still lives in Missouri and is a
fine. old-fashiOned Democrat. Steve
himself started in life as a Democrat
and first attracted the attention Of his
fellowmen during the Civil War. 1t Is
said that he has a Missouri war record,
Int that is matter OF some doubt. II
the Acknowledgement OF the State OF
Missouri would make an examination of
the rolls in his department for the
period between 1861 and 1865, perhaps
he might be able to throw some very In
teresting light on the situation. Elkins
AZ one tine represented the Territory
of New Mexico as a delegate in Con-
oress. 1t was then that he came in