Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-27
MIR. HUSTON AND HIS SUCCESSOR.


MIR. HUSTON AND HIS SUCCESSOR.
Both Political and Social Considerations Said
to Have Brought About the Change.
The acceptance of the resignation of Treas
urer Huston and the selection of J. A. Lemcke.
ex-state treasurer Of Indiana, as his successor
rings down the curtain on one of the little po-
htico-socil comedies of this administration.
1t has been one of the novelties Of Mr..
Harrison's experience since he has been
in the White House that he had
great trouble in keeping one man in Office, and
that, too, in one of the most dignifed and re-
sponsible offices in the government. Not only
did the Office seek Mr. Huston, but. having
found him, it had TO keep constantly
on the alert to prevent his escap-
ing. Not very long after his appointment
MIR. Huston began threatening togo, his am
bition being disappointed in several particu-
lars. Some time ago the story of how his re-
lations with Mr.. Harrison had been strained
by the failure Of Mrs. Harrison 10 give Mrs.
Huston the social recognition which she
regarded his due was told in these columns at
that time and il was thought that the matter had
been satisfactorily adjusted, and until less than
a week ago Mr. Harrison resting satisfied
that Mr.. Huston had become con-
tented and that he would not be
called upon to appoint a new treasurer. Mr..
Harrison thought that Mr.. Huston had con-
sented to retain the position until the end Of
the presidential term. The treasurer. il seems,
however, did not so understand the matter.
BOTH SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
The reasons for his wanting TO get out Of the
Office were both social and political The dis
appointment Of Mrs. Huston in the matter of
social prominence at the White House and the
oh of t,,-
urer's Office and some other considerations to-
gether aggregated disappointment OF such
proportions to make their determination
TO retire from Washington very strong.
At the time when Mr.. Harrison made his
final effort to induce MIR. Huston to
stay Mrs. Huston had given up her
establishment here and gone home, with de-
termination not TO return. The President, il is
said, inclnded in his request for Mr.
Huston TO remain in Office a suggestion
that Mrs. Huston come back 10 the
capital and an iatimation that she would
have no further complaint of lack of courtesy
at the White House. Mrs. Huston did return.
and since then has assisted in one of the
White House receptions, at which. however.
the hostess herself was not present, being in
disposed, and Mrs. Mckee did tae honors.
THE SITUATION IN INDIANA.
The social trouble thus cured left the politi-
cal still unsettled. Mr. Harrison. it is stated.
had hoped by retaining Mr.. Huston here to
prevent his working with the anti-administra-
tive clement in Indiana in the re-
org niZation of the state committee The
craftsmanship of the state republican executive
committee was then vacant, and Mr.. Harrison
was anxious to get in that place one of his
friends. In this he failed, a compromise being
made by which a man whose position
with relation 10 the two factions was not known
was chosen. This man is a warm friend of Mr.
al W1l mr. nhah liz a
somewhat upon what the ex-treasurer desires.
Mr.. Huston was candidate for the secretaryship
Of the treasury to succeed Window and some
people attribute his retirement at this time,
after the President had got the impression that
he intended 10 remain, as the result of dis
appointment. His friends, however, say that il
is nothing Of the sort; that his understanding
of the agreement with the President when
he withdrew his former resignation and
brought Mrs. Huston back, was that he was to
remain until February. He had fully
intended to retire before this, they say,
but delayed it on account OF Mr..
Windows death. Two or three days
ago ne called on the President and presented
his resignation, SO as to give the President time
to appoint his successor before this Congress
adjourned. The President was surprised, but
accepted the resignation.
aR. LEMcKE GRESHAM MAN.
Mr.. Lemcke was in New York. about to take
a steamer to Europe. where he intended to
spend some time for rest after quitting his du-
ties as state treasurer. Mr.. Harrison AT
once telegraphed him not to take the
steamer, but to make his arrange
ments at once to accept the treasurership. Mr..
Lemcke consented and last night he arrived in
Washington and consulted with the President
about the matter at once and again today. The
matter is positively settled and the nomination
will probably be sent to the Senate some time
today.
There is some good politics for Mr.. Harrison
in the appointment of Mr.. Lemcke, who is very
prominent as leader in the Gresham camp.
which has been antagonistic to Harrison. The
appointment is peace offering and its accept
ance indicates that there is probably disposi-
tion to relax antagonisms.
This going right into the enemy's camp with
loaves and fishes Is regarded as very significant
The appointment of Foster as Secretary and
this selection are regarded as very important
moves toward a denomination.
Mr.. HUSTON NOT TALKING.
Treasurer Huston's attitude in this case is an
interesting one. He neither denies nor affirms.
He declines TO be interviewed, but he is very
outspoken to some Of his acquaintance on the
subject OF what has come to be popuiarly re-
garded as his grievances"
Naturally enough the public appreciation Of
the situation grows space, especially as the
treasurer, when cornered by q newspaper man
makes no bones OF practically admitting his
with things personal, political
and social.
THEY CALLED TO SAY oooD-ByR.
rather humorous incident occurred this
morning to show the state of general uncer-
tainty in the treasurer's official neighborhood
as to his intentions or his future.
Acting under the impulse Of the statements
printed about Lemcke, a number of Mr.. Hus-
toms subordinates called on him in his once
and expressed their regret for his near
departure. He received them kindly,
thanked them for their show of grief and
failed to state whether or not the ruInors were
true. They left him with the firm impression
that their visit had not been paid uselessly.
Mr.. Huston says that he does not feel ct
liberty TO talk on the subject for the reason
that it in, in his Judgment, the province OF the
President to announce the result of their con-
ferences, and he does not care to appear 10 be
discourteous.
MR.. BLAIR GOES TO CHINA.