The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-02-15

shall make no secret of the matter, but
shall announce the names of the gentle
men selected to ill the positions as fast
as l receive their acceptances and per-
mission to make the matter public"
Cleveland would say nothing in regard
to other positions or the men who were
mentioned in connection with them.
1t is considered an odd coincidence that
Judge Gresham should succeed as secre-
tary of state one who has been his life
long friend in the republican party and
in the state Of Indiana John w. Foster
and Judge Gresham have been on inti-
mate terms for many years. and during
Judge Greshams recent visit to Wash
ington, Secretary Foster was one of his
callers and as chance would have 1t, they
discussed in a friendly and informal way
the Bering sea arbitration case and other
matters of present diplomacy. Judge
Gresham will be indirectly the success
or of Mr.. Blaine, whose political course
Judge Gresham was not always able to
approve. Itw as the Blaine following that
defeated Gresham for the republican NOM
ination in 1883, and chose instead, Gresh-
ans Indiana rival Benjamin Harrison.
BY the turn of the political wheel dur
ing the last three months. Harrison has
been relegated to private life while his
old-time rival In Indiana, and bitter per-
sonal enemy now comes to the front as
the man Of next Importance to the presi-
dent himself. under democratic admin
istration. President Harrison, II is con-
ceded, made the greatest mistake of his
life when he failed to nominate Gresham
for seat on the supreme bench, as he
might fittingly have done two years ago
Possibly Gresham would not have taken
It. but IL he had 1t would have removed
him from the field of politics and taken
him out OF Harrlson's way. There are OBJ
servers in the capitol who already look
TO the future and say that Gresham will
be the democratic candidate for presi-
dent in 1896, and that Harrison will be his
competitor on the republican ticket. The
belief is general here that Judge Gresh-
am will now become permanently at
tached to the democratic party and that
his part In the politics In the near fu-
ture is to be a prominent one. This sud-
den transition from one party to another
and from the quiet OF the bench to the |
center Of action at Washington, excites |
comment here as an example Of the queer
surprises which our political system is |
capable OF producing.
As secretary OF state under Mr.. Cleve-
land, Judge Gresham viii have a rare
opportunity to make record. 1t is con-
ceded that not since Lincolns first ad-
ministration, has president about to
take his scat been confronted By so
many serious diplomatic questions as
will come before Mr.. Cleveland for settle
ment. The Hawaiian annexation question
in all probability. will be left as leg
acy from the Harrison regime II in
Wolves delicate questions OF International
relations, as well as the broader subject
Of the Monroe doctrine, and the national
policy Of this country with reference TO
aggressIveness beyond the limits OF our
own territory. In determining this mat
ter the new administration may make
peace or war, and viii be sure to leave
the impress Of its decision upon the pol
Icy Of our government for many years
to come