The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-29
Elkins and Foster Have Both Lost
Their Pull at the White
House.
Thoy Took Contracts In Conneo.
tion With the Presidential
Succession.
Each Scored \ Conspiouous Failure when
1t Came to Delivering the Goods
for Harrison.

WARRINGTON, Aug. B.-POlttic0l orioles
here are discussing the apparent eclipse of
Ssorstaries Charles Foster and Stephen B.
Elkins. They have not figured in any OF
the party consultations of late. and there
really seems to be no important work out
out for them to do. Nor does their society
appear to be a. essential to the prssidsn ~
comfort now 40 At one time. The day when
they we're always near him, advising him
and taking special commissions from him.
has evidently gone BY, and thsy have
dropped back into the rut of local man.
ayers. Foster struggling to keep his own
head up in Ohio and Elkins doing what he
Gan to control the machine in West Vir-
Riais. Az the story goes here, the presi-
dent has been bitterly disappointed in both
men. They wsrs called into the cabinet
purely and entirely because OF their repu-
tation a. managing politicians and
their supposed ability to placate cer-
tain interests at that time antago-
nistio TO the second term project. Foster
was to bring Ohio into line by making
peace between the administration and the
Blaine contingent, led by Ex-Governor
Foraker. Neither Sherman nor Mckinley
could be utilized for this work. Both were
friendly enough to tho president, but, un-
fortunately for him, both were ut outs with
Foraker. But Foster. who through all the
republican contention in Ohio had re-
mained in touch with Foraker, was sup
posed TO possess the necessary influence.
and to his hands was committed tho deli
cate task. He went to Ohio several times
to see Foraker, and he invited Foraker here
several times to bs his gasst. 1t was all to
no purpose. however. Foraker refused to
come into the Harrison camp. and worked
| so industriously ON the outside that at
Minneapolis all but one of the Ohio dele
| CATION appear on the roll call for the nomi-
nation in opposition to tho president.
The service expected Of Elklns was not
only of more importance than that Foster
was to perform. but it WAS Of the highest
| Importance. He was to deal directly with
Blaine himself and make it sure that the
president was not antagonized directly OF
Indirectly by the Maine statesman. Elkini
had been for years one of Blains's closes,
| friends, frequent visitor at his house and
a shnrer In all of the sec cts respecting hit
political plans. In fact. so intimate were
! the two men that the bare CIT cunstance ol
the acceptance by Elkins OF the portfolio
| Of war was accepted in some quarters al
evidence that Blaine would not enter tht
ins. howevs-, won't diligently to work &c
serve his new chief and spent the greater
part Of his leisure in Blaine's society.
Up to the last moment Elkins expressed
the opinion in the most confident way that
Blaine would not oppose the president; thai
Clarkson and Quay were using Blaine'i
name without authority. and that in due
season they would be called down. Bleine't
trip to Now York even failed to change FL
kins' view of the situation. Blaine's rssiR.
nation come like bolt from the blue sky
and not only stunned the president. bu
laid out Elkins completely. He has not te
this day recovered from the shook. Like
his colleague, Foster. he had failed IN the
one thing he had been supposed to be bes
qualified to attend TO, and so he passed. tt
the rear. He has been intrusted with NJ
leat mission since. He has been active in
putting = republican ticket into the field in
West Virginia, but it il not a ticket tina,
sxcites any enthuslasm aud its prospectI
are anything but bright.
The passing of Foster and Elkins a. ns
tiopal quantities has been 10 marked tha
the speculation 10 even against their re-
naming in the cabinet longer than mex
march. even should the president be re
elected. Having failed a. politicians. tn,
Judgment is that they have failed altogether
Foster 10 not great finanoier, nor doe
Elkins appear to be g. cat war minister
The president does not oAie to hold on T.
! them longer than may be necessary. Th
prediction, indeed, ID freely made here tha
both portfolios are now in the oanpaiQl
as honors to be battled for by aspiring re
publican leaders in doubtful staten.