Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-12-31
ELKINS' APPOINTMENT.
Harrison's Little Scheme to Head Off the
Man from Maine.

Harrison's Little Scheme to Head or the
Man from Maine.
Stephen B. Elkins, whom the presi-
dent has named for the war portfolio,
is a shrewd, active and inscriptions
politician, who was once district at
torney of New Mexico, where he did
not acquire an enviable name. In 1884
he was one of the chief factors in pro-
curing the nomination of James Ct.
Blaine, with whom he has business re-
lations in West Virginia in coal lands
and railroads. With good reason he
has been accounted a political as we'll
as a personal friend of Blaine. His
record and associations are not such as
would recommend him to a president
sincerely DESTROYS of making credita-
bic administration. If this were Har-
rison's second term he would not prob
ably thus fill vacany in one of the ex-
ecutive offices. But nominating con-
vention is to be held within six
months to which Hsrrison's claims VIII
be submitted. and he is making APP
pointments solely with refere ce to
that interesting occasion.
Two views may be taken of this pc
culiar appointment. One suggests that
Harrison is doing what he can to alien
ate the friends of Blaine. The other
and the most plausible view is that n
perfect understanding exists oetween
the president and the secretary of state
that the latter is controlling opposition
to denomination OF the former in order
at the effective moment to give Harri-
son the support which will procure his
denomination. There was time in
Mr.. Blaine's political career when he
was audacious 1t is possible that with
the defeat of 'S4. the advance N1
years, and the ravage of disease
he has lost this quality. He would
| be a bold and confident man if he
would again ESSAY the verdict of
| twelve million American electors. II
| he retains his old-time courage and is
| indeed candidate for a presidential
| nomination which is easily within his
| grasp it would be due to himself and to
| the president that he retire from the
| cabinet. The history of American pol
itics, the ordinary comfy obtaining
| between gentlemen suggest that If Mr..
| Blaine is really a candidate for the
| presidency he retire from the leading
| place in the cabinet of a chief Inagis-
| trate who is also a candidate for re-
| nomination. Mr.. Blaine chooses to
| stay. The inference is strong that he
| remains having complete understand
| ing with the president. and the ap
| poiutmeut of Elzins lends color to this
| view Elkins is strangely altered if he
is not primarily friend of Blaine. Il
| that is not his relation to the secretary
of state. then his appointment as sec
rotary of war is practical notice to Mr.
Blaine that the president desires his
resignation as person holding his com
mission who is endeavoring to thwar
an ambition which custom in American
politics fairly warrants
The probabilities are that Mr.. Blaine
who remains in Mr.. Harrison's abinet
does not mean to accept a nomination
at Minneapolis, but is working b.
methods of his own to prevent the de
feat of his chief That Mr.. Blaine ant
Mr.. Elkins are both members of MIR
Harrison's cabinet lends color to thi
view. As friends they can both labo
for Har-ison's denomination. As enc