Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-05
TALK OF CABINET CHANGES.
Elkins as Secretary of war-Mr. Blaine and
the President.

the President.
The friends of 8. B. Elkins are working to
have him put at the head OF the War Depart
ment to succeed Mr.. Proctor. but it is under
stood to be by no means settled yet that he 10
to get the appointment. There are a number
OF things to be considered in making this ap-
pointment to All cabinet vacancy. and there
is said to be opposition in the cabinet to Mr..
Elkins selection.
Mr. Harrison will not be compelled 10 make
the appointment until about the line OF the
formal appointment ot Mr.. Proctor TO the SEN
ate, and 1t is regarded ss probable that he will
take the full time allowed before making the
eeection. There is q possibility that he may
have one or more vacancies IN the cabinet to
fill Should Mr.. Tracy be given the republi-
can nomination for governor Of New York it
might make a considerable difference in the
plans of the President. The question of Mr..
Blaine's possible retirement from the State
Depar tment is one that 10 very generally dis
Gussed, without throwing much light on MIR.
Blaine's intentions.
Some very long headed politicians say they
think be Will resign, but Il is by no means GER
tain that he will do so, even though he may ac-
cept the nomination for the presidency If the
convention offers il TO him. II is well known
that he 10 not = candidate for the nomination
in the sense of seeking it, but il is strongly be-
lieved that he will not disregard the voice of
popular sentiment should il find authoritative
expression In his favor. Occupying this posi-
hon, there appears to be no reason, in that con-
nec.ion, why he should feel compelled to retire
from the cabinet or why Mr.. Harrison should
want him to. The shrewdest politicians agree
that 1t Is very important to Mr.. Harrison, both
for the success of his administration to the end
and in the interest Of whatever prospects he
may have for 4 denomination. II Mr. Blaine,
being in the cabinet at the time, is nominated
the nomination will come 10 HIM unsought and
In spite OF all the efforts OF Mr.. Harrison s
friends.
As long as Mr.. Blaine retains his present atti-
tude be cannot be put in the position of being
an active candidate, but it is generally believed
that If he should retire from the cabinet moth
ing. not even his own indisposition to assume
the role, could prevent his being regarded as an
active candidate and, unless all political signs
fail, there would then be chance for any
other candidate. Therefore it is said that
MI Blaine In the cabinet, even with the knowl-
edge that the latter may accept nomination
II extended to him unsought.
AN ABSURD STORY.
The story 70 the effect that Mr.. Blaine is per-
nit ding his friends ana the independent Amer
lean citizens who are for hin, without knowing
him personally to '.boom'' him, merely SO that
other candidates will he kept out of the field
and he can turn the nomination over 70 Mr.
Harrison. is spoken of as absurd on its face. II
| ID not common accusation against Mr.. Blaine
that he tricks his friends aud permits himself
to be used a tool for other men. ''Why,
said politician to STAR reporter today.
''the man who suggests that Mr.. Blaine would
lend himself to such scheme that does not
know Blaine. and 1 should imagine, knows
very little Of politics. Mr.. Blaine is not man
who would prostitute his own popularity. lie
is dong nothing for the purpose of exciting a
cry for his nomination, and if there is a pop
ular sentiment in favor of him it is because il
| is recognized that he is one Of the greatest men
of this day and that he has done and can dc
more than any one else at this time to save his
party from defeat.
II Mr.. Blaine will not accept the nomina-
ton under any circumstances and is in favor
| OF Mr.. Harrisons s nomination, You may rest as
| sured he will otresort to the plan of appear
| ing as a candidate to keep others out of the
race that he may be the more certain of Har-
| rison's nomination. He is not the man to dc
such thing. Then what would be the result
Why, Harrison would be defeated from the
start and Mr.. Blaine would have sacrificed hi,
| friends and njured himself. Whatever under
! and Mr.. Blaine it does not involve anything at
stupid as that. If there is an understanding il
! is strictly honorable to both men,"
Some Of Mr.. Harrison's friends have said
! long since. that there is an understanding be-
| tween the President and Mr.. Blaine that they
| will not shake the ground under their party by
any rivalry on their part; that if there Is nC
very earnest demand for Mr.. Blaines nomina
tion he will not seek to make one, and ii there
| is such demand Mr.. Harrison will not resis
| it in the convention.