Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-10-20
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Repeal Campaign, the Cabinet
and the President.


~. Clevet1no the uac6reeor of the AdmtntS-
hatiea-Diplsmaey Of Sec. Lament.
WASHINGTON, d. C., Oct. ls.-fSpecial.l l.
There has been a great deal of talk in the
capital of late concerning alleged dissen-
tions in the cabinet over the silver ques-
ton Your correspondent has made efforts
to ascertain the truth of these rumors and
discovers that there is very little founda-
tion for them. Though the cabinet has no,
been wholly harmonious rs to what is the
best thing 10 be done, these differences are
only those differences Of opinion likely to
occur at any time and about any question.
Inquiry developed the further fact that
for two or three weeks at least five mem
bers of the cabinet have advised the cab
met TO make terms of compromise with
the opposition, and that the pluck and
combativeness which carried the struggle
on SO long We're furnished wholly by Presi-
dent Cleveland himself. Perhaps il would
be more accurate to say that five members
of the cabinet have been of the opinion
that compromise would be better than
continuance of the seemingly hopeless
struggle, for it is not certain that these
ministers have taken occasion to express
their views 10 the president in anything
more than guarded terms.
Grover Is the MacGregor.
This brings us to the consideration of
fact about which we have also heard much
gossip in Washington 1t is that the pres
ident absolutely dominates his cabinet, and
that, with a single exception, no member
OF the ministry stands up" before the
reliable information to the effect that dis
cussions at cabinet meetings are rather
perfunctory affairs. Every one waits to
hear what MaeGregor says, and no one cares
TO oppose the views which MacGregor ex-
presses.
1t is said of Secretary Carlisle, and by
his most intimate friends at that, that he
never opposes Mr.. Cleveland and does not
even go to the trouble of telling his chief
unwelcome truths about the situation in
congress Whatever Mr. Carlisle may say
or think i'll his own department or in CON
tact with senators and other public men,
in Mr. Cleveland's presence he always
thinks as Mr.. Cleveland does. good deal
of the friction between the Democratic
majority of the senate and the White
House during the silver fight was caused
~ '''t' i"'AN'N N'' -"'' N"''''''N I'A'' w
tell the president the whole truth, even
though it should not be pleasant i'll his ears.
How Dan Lamont Does 1t.
All the other members of the ministry
with single exception pursue substantial
ly the plan adopted by Mr.. Carlisle. The
exception is in the case of the secretary of
war Even Dan Lamont does not dare OPP
pose Mr.. Cleveland directly, but he has
,.-.., .,f 4 -. L., go.
fully, which IL even more effective than
blunt opposition could possibly be- Your
correspondent is reliably informed that
when President Cleveland suggests or pro
poses line of action with which Mr. La
mont cannot agree, that astute gentleman
maintains an ominous silence. Finally
Mr.. Cleveland notices that his secretary of
war has expressed no opinion and turns to
him and asks what he thinks about the
matter in hand. As likely as not the
shrewd Mr., Lamont will shake his head
and utter not n word. Then Mr. Cleveland
will somewhat impatiently eXclaim:
Darn it all, Dan, speak up and tell us
what you think"
This is precisely what the willy Lamont
has been playing for. He knows Mr.. Cleve-
land of old and knows how to manipulate
frame of mind, Mr.. Lamont comes forward
with his opinions and often succeeds in
carrying his point.
Other members of the cabinet, less tact
full, less experienced in the peculiarities Of
Mr.. Cleveland's mind and methods have
in times past been too frank and blunt in
expressing their views or desires, and in
the school of sad experience have learned
to bn mora rot icupt
A Shrewd Game.
President Cleveland appears to he built
unon lines similar to those which were en-,
ployed in the construction of General Har-
risou. 1t used to be a saving in Washing
ron that if n senator or representative want
ed to get a certain man appointed to Office
the best thing he could do was to 20 to the
White House and propose n rival to his
rpu1 Tn a
ness ana consistency Tor the dummy rlvai