The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-13
SECRETARY OF STATE.

Evidence accumulates that the President
elect has offered the post of Secretary of
State to Judge Gresham of Indiana. In this
case confirmation of the current report
comes from many sources. Being asked by
reporters whether there was any truth In
the story, both Mr.. Cleveland and Judge
Gresham declined to answer. If there had
been nothing in il. one Of them or
both would have been likely to say so.
Before the election Judge Gresham was
said on authority which seemed to be relia-
BILE, to have expressed his acquiescence in
the principles set forth in the Democratic
platform at Chicago. He was so openly in
accord with that platform that he was re-
ported TO have expressed his intention 10
vote the Democratic ticket lie denounced
this statement as without foundation. and
he is not known to have voted for Cleve-
land. But neither is he known to have voted
for Harrison.
The Judge has been for years a variance
with the Republican party on the tariff
question. He supported Blaine in 1884 and
Garfield in 1880 BE declined to take an
active part in the campaigns Of those years
on the ground that he was not IN accord
with the party on the question or protec-
ton He has. Furthermore, been more pro-
nounced than other leaders Of the party on
the question Of the regulation Of corpora
tons; he occupied ground analogous TO that
which was taken by Colonel Morrison Of
Illinois and Senator Reagan of Texas at
the time the Interstate commerce act was
passed. Some of the most trenchant opin-
ions which have been expressed on railroad
discrimination have been uttered by him.
1t was well known when the last Re-
H. hold
that the whole power or corporate capital
was eXerted to defeat his nomination. His
name must naturally have occurred to MI.
Cleveland as HAT of one who would be
friend rather than an enemy of his admin
istTatiOn.
The statement, however, that Bsyard Of
Delaware recommended his selection must
be received with caution. Democrats will
naturally ask: Was there no Democrat fit to
lead the administration that the President
had to 90 into the ranks of the enemy for a
deserter? This is the way that most active
Democrats would view Gresham appoint
ment and Mr.. Bayard is the very man to
abound in that sense. There is little risk
IL predicting that such an appointment
would lie extremely distasieiul to the lead
ing Democratic politicians. and that the
Senators of that faith would manifest their
sense OF friction by giving the President
| trouble over combinations.
/ Mr.. Cleveland is not the man TO be de-
/ TERED fIOm carrying out his own views by
/ tie danger Of auIagoulzipg his party. He
carries positveness 10 an extreme. and IS
inpatient and even resentful of advice.
( When lie was last In power and was can
/ didate for reelection he was so intolerant
( Of interference that he was hardly on
speaking terms with the leaders OF Con-
! gIess at The close Of his term. He is not
likely 10 be more deferential to them now.
/ when be cannot cherish hopes OF re-elec-
tion There Is probably a good deal Of
/ ruth in The stories which come from the
East that the part be proposes 10 play is
that of benevolent despot
There is ample precedent for the appoint
ment of Gresham. Monroe in 1921 chose as
his Secretary Of State John Quincy Adams.
who had run against him as opposition can
didate for President Following the ex-
ample, jackson IN 1928 made Henry Clay
| his Secretary Of State, though the Ken
tuekian had Tun against him. At the close
| Of bis term Tyler. hO had been elected
Vice-President as Wing and succeeded to
the Presidency On the death Of the elder
Harrison, appointed John c. Calhoun, the
Democratic leader. as his Secretary OF State.
Ia more recent times Mir. Lincoln, after nine
months trial OF Simon Cameron, chose as
his Secretary Of Warwick was the lead
ing post in the Cabnet-Edwin NJ. Stanton,
who was a prominent Democratic leader,
aud had steadfasily adhered 10 Breckenridge
through the controversy between him AID
Douglas. In this case the President, like
Jackson thirty-tbree years before, was
guided in making his selection by cousidera-
lions Of personal fitness only. Tyler
alenated bis political friends by forming
alliances with the enemy. No Republican
ever objected to Mr.. Stanton.
Abroad the rule that the political family
Of the executive must consist of members of
his own party has never been observed.
Both in England and in France PTemiers
have called their opponents into council,
often with advantage to the public service.
Grant laid down the true rule with his
usual common sense. II want in my
Cabinet" said he, men who agree with me
on essentials; what they have been before
do not inQuire nor do care"