Evening journal., 1892-02-11
FALSE CABINET RUMORS.
Blaine's Reported Intention Sets
the Mill Grinding.
BUT TIE CABINET is HARMONIOUS.

DD4 ILL OAD1N1l 10 hAhMONlODp,
Secretaries Wnnamaker, Tracy and Noble
Are Not TO Resign Nor BE Retired, but
Blaine's Colleagues Are Of the Opinion
That He win Soon step Down and Out.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE dispatch that
Secretary Blaine would after reasonable
interval" follow his withdrawal as a candi-
date for president by retiring from the cab
met was telegraphed back to Washington
in various distorted shapes, which called
forth a denial from the secretary himself
Tho statement was not made in these dis.
patches that Mr.. Blaine would at once, or
even within short time, return to the
president his commission as secretary Of
state. The statement was made, however,
that at some future time, after reason
able interval, so long separated from his
letter Of withdrawal as not to associate the
two acts in the public mind as having any
connection with each other, Secretary Blaine
had determined to withdraw from the cab
met
The announcement that Secretary Blaine
had determined at some future date to re-
sign his portfolio was authorized by the
repetition Of a conversation which Mr.
Blaine held very recently with one Of his
most intimate and trusted friends. During
this conversation Mr. Blaine told his friend
that he had written the text Of his letter Of
withdrawal from the presidential field and
added that he intended ultimately to follow
this letter with his resignation as member
Of the cabinet. This statement was re-
peeted to your correspondent ard its publ
cation was not a violation Of confidence.
The early publicity of Secretary Blaine'a
determination may have in a measure de-
feated his own purpose, which was to sepa-
rate distinctly and totally in the public
mind his withdrawal as a presidential can
didate from any connection with his retire
ment from official life.
1t is significant that Mr. Blaine Is es-
pecially emphatic in saying that he viii not
go either to the Bermudas or to Cuba, but
that he win escape the trials of sea voyage
when he makes his southern trip by going
to some place which can be reached by rail.
False Cabinet Rumors.
The announcement respecting Secretary
Blaines plans was followed by host Of un-
founded rumors concerning other cabinet
changes. These may ba dismissed as utter
Is untruthfuL
These rumors were to the effect that
Postmaster General Wanamaker and the
president had had a falling out because OF
the nonpolitical conduct Of the postofiice
department; that Mr. Wanamaker was to
be given a foreign mission; that Mr. Wanna
maker was to return to business life in Phila-
delphia; that Mr.. Clarkson was TO be made
postmaster general that Secretary Tracy
had incurred unwarranted expenditures in
the naval preparations for the expected
war with Chilli, and that thereby he had in
volyed the administration in a controversy
with the naval committee Of the senate and
house, and that Secretary Noble was to re-
sign in order to accept a judicial or diplo-
matte appointment
Most Of these variegated rumors contra
dicted themselves, being manifestly absurd
on their face.
Mr. Wanamaker denies all the rumora
relating to himself with specific exactness.
The Resignation viii Come.
The basis for the report concerning Sec
retary Tracy is ridiculous but interesting.
When, the other day, the expense account
for taking the testimony Of the Baltimore
crew in California reached the second
auditor of the treasury, it was discovered
that the man who had charge Of the work
had made two specific and separate bills for
the stenographie and clerical work, whereas
it should have been for stenographie work
alone, and upon the direction OF the attorney
general the extra or double charges Were
thrown out as unauthorized.
Upon this action a report gained currency
that the entire expenses incurred by the
navy department in connection with the
Chilian affair had been turned down"
The report of Secretary Mobiles coming
resignation is the revival Of an old story
There is no doubt that at one time Secre-
tary Noble did intend to leave the cabinet.
There IL no doubt that Secretary Noble
would take this step at any time when a
/ pathway, at once agreeable and honorable
for his retirement, could be opened to him
It may be added that members Of the
cabinet fully expect and still expect Secre-
tary Blaine's resignation TO become an Of
Eeially declared fact within few months.
The step, when it occurs, win be as much
regretted in Washington as among Repub.
hcans everywhere.