Connecticut western news., 1891-02-04


 as Mrs. Windom left the Wanamaker man. sion the brilliant and joyous entertainment came to an end and the guests dispersed The President and Mrs. Harrison had start cd home few moments before the sad news came, only to be apprised of it when they reached the executive mansion.
 The President Hears the News.
 President Harrison had just heard the news of Secretary Windom's death a mo- ment before this journals representative arrived at the White House. His greatcoat was buttoned tightly around him and his carriage awaited him. Hewas in the act of returning to the postmaster generals, where he and the cabinet had been dining.
 "Is it trues" he asked.
 "The report is confirmed" the reporter replied.
 "Oh, my Godr' said the president, plac- ing both his hands at the side of his head with despairing gesture, while his face became deathly pale. The president turned half away and an audible sob escaped him. The man was deeply and sensibly affected by a strong and sincere emotion.
 "Just to think" he said, walking few steps away as if in a reverie, mot thirty minutes ago I left his wife and daughters at 8 merry party at MT. Wanamaker's.
 
 again.
 No one could have said, to see President Harrison at that moment, that the chief magistrate of the nation is cold or un- sympathetic man. As he stood on the DOT tico he bowed his head upon his breast, with every manifestation of a strong man who has been struck severe blow.
 The Question of . Successor.
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 31-The important question of Secretary Windom's prob able successor was talked of at the Capitol yesterday, although the predictions made as to the man MT. Harrison would select were mere conjecture. The names of Maj Mckinley, Senator Spooner and Repre- sentative Cannon were in the mouths of everybody. The fitness of either of them for the place was universally admitted. It was said, however, by friend of Maj. Nc Kinley that he would not under any con- sideration accept cabinet appointment, preferring to remain free to become a can didate for governor or to redeem his dis trict two years hence.
 As for Senator Spooner it is thought by politicians generally that he would have no chance whatever of appointment, as Wis consin has already a man in the cabinet in the person of Secretary of Agriculture Rusk. But for this fact Senator Spooner would seem to be strong candidate for the appointment. MT. Cannon's special fit ness for the office is supposed to be due to the fact that he has for a number of years been a hard working member of the house committee on appropriations, where he has been called upon to make 8 careful study of financial matters. He has, moreover, been fast friend of President Harrison At the treasury department, however, it seems to be the opinion among the chief officials that the president will promote the first assistant secretary to the vacancy. is Gen. Nettleton, of Minnesota, who was a warm friend of Secretary Windom, and who was his trusted and confidential repre- sentative, acting as secretary whenever MT. Windom was absent from his desk. At the Capitol the name of Lyman J. Gage, president of the Chicago Worlds fair con- mission, was spoken of, and it was said that his friends would urge his name upon the president. MT. Gage has made the reputation of 8 shrewd financier and busi- ness man, and it is thought that his claims would make 8 strong impression on the president.
 The Secretary's Career.
 Secretary Windom was born in Belmont county, O., May 10, 1897. He received an academic education, studied law at Mount Vernon, O., and was admitted to the bar in 1850. In 1852 he became prosecuting at torney for Knox county, but in 1855 he re- moved to Minnesota, and soon afterward was chosen to congress from that state as 8 Republican. serving from 1859 to 1869. In that body he served two terms as chair man of the committee on Indian affairs o1r o% ho 0f hnc Dso1 committee which visited the western tribes in 1865 and of that on the conduct of the commissioner of Indian affairs in 1867. In 1870 he was appointed to the United States senate to fill the unexpired term of Daniel S. Norton, deceased, and was subsequently, chosen for the term that ended ill 1877. :
 He was reelected for the term that ex- pired in 1883. but resigned in 1881 to enter the cabinet of President Garfield as secre- tary of the treasury, but retired on the ac- cession of President Arthur in the same year and was elected by the Minnesota legislature to serve the remainder of hls term in the senate. In that body MT. Windom acted as chairman of the commit tees on appropriations, foreign affairs and transportation. At the expiration of his term MT. Windom came to New York and engaged in business in Wall street.
 He was in the midst of a prosperous busi- ness career when Benjamin Harrison was elected president and called him to hls old position in the cabinet. He hesitated to respond, but was finally prevailed upon to leave New York and go to Washington.
 Since his resumption of the duties of the office of secretary of the treasury, MT. Win dom has been constantly before the public because of the late unsettled financial af- fairs of the country. He had shown him. self equal to all emergencies, and was found never to be want; ;-~ on occasions that demanded prompt 'cisive actio In the time of Wall street s latest trou.-Sy MT. Windom acted with such judgmen, that the street was saved from a panic ansI many firlas from ruin.
 Ages of Man and Wife.