Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-24
His Appointment Made at
Blaine's Command.
ANDHARRlSON DARE NOTDISOBEY
Some Facts From "Steye's,,
Checkered Career.
He Has Been Conspicuous in Many Rank
scandais--Was Blaine's Handy Man and
Hung on the skirts of the Administra-
tion Waiting for Place.
Special Correspondence Now York Times.

Special Correspondence New York Times.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-"Steye" Elkns
Is to be in the Cabinet. The intimations
made from week To week for several
months that the representative of the
kerens group in the star route business.
Blaines handy man at national conven-
tions, Blaines partner in railroad and
other ventures, the bOtcher and bungler of
the Behring Sea seal arrangement with
great Britain, the general political busy
body who has hung about the edges Of
aiiairs since Harrison became President,
was to be Secretary of War were verified
this morning when the name of Stephen
il. Elkins was sent to the Senate.
Although the administration had in a
way prepared the public mind for tins ap-
pontment, the news gave everybody abont
the capital start. The name OF Elkns
was familiar enough, suggesting, as it has
whenever mentioned, all sorts Of iobbcry
iiourishing under the protection Of power,
but nobody could understand lust exactly
why, at this time when the ad-
minstration was supposed to need
strengthening in public estimation, it
should be deemed important 10 fill the
place recently occupied by so admirable
and honest o man as Secretary Proctor by
jobber and political adventurer whose
very name has been n constant suggestion
of triokery and jobbery. There would
scarcely be more surprise and disgust il on
Monday, when the Senate meets again
the President should send to the Senate
for Secretary of the Interior, in place of
Mr.. Noble, stephen W. Dorsey. the soap
distributor in 1880, the "blocks of five"
man of that company.
One of the most interesting of the many
explanations made to account for this
hcandalous appointment was one that held
1t to be not All act of good will from Harr-
son TO Blaine or to Elkins, but n cowardly
surrender by Harrison to Blaines impti-
dent demand. This explanation says that
after the elections of last fall, when the
Republicans were feeling apprehensive
about the Presidential campaign of next
year, Blaine reopened the negotiation
that he had begun months before for the
introduction Of Elkins into Harrison's
political family. Blaine was tired, it
seemed, of being alone in the cabinet. He
had heard about enough of the talk about
the way i'll which he was tolerated" and
had come to the conclusion that il was
about time he was permitted to associate
with at least one man who was friendly to
him and believed that he was, fit for better
things than manufacturing popularity for
President about whom the public was
altogether indifferent
In this frame of mind Mr.. Blaine in
formed the President that if he expected
TO keep his Secretary of State he would
appoint Mr.. Elkins 20 the war office when
Mr.. Proctor left it. The eSccretary of State
gave it to be understood that unless this
favor was granted Mr.. Blaine would feel
constrained to leave the state department.
1t would be impossible TO explain his de-
parture in a way that would shield the
President from the suspicion of harsh
treatment of Mr.. Blaine, and that would
be followed by more or less extensive re-
volt IN the party that might, in spite of
Mr. Blainc's efforts to the contrary, us.
sumo proportions threatening to party
success. Instead of defying such auguries
and menaces the President, overlooking
the requests of New Hampshire and other
states, surrendered to Blaine, and brought
Elklns INTO the cabinet so that Jim
could enjoy congenial company.
II will take some time to see all there is
of Elkins. just as it will require many col
umns in which to tell all that is renenl-
bered about him. Some Missolirians here
are of the opinion that records can be
found in Missouri that will show, in good
black and white, that Elkins, at the out.
break Of the war was in the service of the
Confedcracy in Missouri, and that he re
manned in that service until il became ap-
parent that the other side would win. Tie
reports sent here reached the White House
but the President has either been assured
that they were exaggerated or was SC
frightened by Blaine's menace to break the
party in two that he did not dare to max,
too strong point Of it,.
The element of "bargainn has been slls.
pected and intimated. Blaine. il was
asserted, was to repay the boon Of Elkins
appointment by writing letter to some
one or any one declaring that under nc
circumstances except those over which ht
could have no control would he permit
himself to be candidate for President in
opposition to the wishes of Mr.. Harrison
There are two opinions here about this
report One is that Elkins' appointment
does not at all impair Mr.. Blaine's pros.
poets for nomination. The other is thai
It is Blaines declaration that he is not IL
be candidate. The first is considered
childish, and as an imputation to Blaine
of spirit of self-sacriiee and submission
that would be quite unlike him, unless h,
is really so changed by i'll health and ap
prehension about the future that he a III
longer the "Plumed Knight Of his clio
quent friend lngersoll.
The West Virginia Democrats who ex
press their opinions do not believe that til,
appointment Of Ekins will so change til,
political feeling Of the state rs to pui it il
the electoral college on the Republican
side in 1892. Ekins has put up Il hand
some house in the State he has ownet
some mines there, operated several rail
roads and increased his wealth by his in
vestments, but he has never become know
to anybody except capitalists, he has only
recently aspired to exercise political powe
himself to the test of popularity by be
coming candidate for Office.
The President has seen a good deal o
Elxins since becoming the head of tn,
nation. Elkins has slid in and out of town
unobserved, being now upon the presi
dents ear and now upon that of Blaine
Il He has been the entertainer and guardian
of the executive person at Deer Park ant
elsewhere. and hus found time and oppor
tunity, particularly last spring. and use,
his freedom Of access to the seat of power
to involve the administration in what ap
peared to he an attempt To hoodwink
While his friend Blaine WAS pretending thai
Sir Julian Pauncefote woulu not consent
to close season, Elkins was assuring
Secretary Foster that the seals We're 81
abundant that ii was absolutely unncces
sary to stop the slaughter of them. Whel
this trickery was discovered, and th'
President, during the convenient illness
of Blaine, resumed the negotiations tina
speedily terminated in the iuternationa
agreement for close season, a suiiicien
basis had been afforded for suspectint
that Elkins efforts in behalf of the Nortl
American Company were not likely To b'
disntcrested, any more than were those o
Russell Il. Harrison, whose efforts Wcr'
felt in the same direction.
In securing Elkins' appointment it /!
not at all probable that Mr.. Blaine took thI
trouble to remind the President of the sta
route scandals, of the Maxwell land gran
steal or of the gigantic claim agains
Brazil that Blaine and Elkins endeavore,
to enforce. Elkins part in the notorious
Jewett claim is easily aseertainable If reas
u 49,.