The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-24
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
THE REPEAL CAMPAIGN, THE cABl-
NET AND THE PRESIDENT.
HI. Cleveland tho HacGrescr Of the Ad-
Observation-Disclosures OF Secretary
and Ex-President Harrison.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. s1.-FSpecial. l.
There has been great deal Of talk in the
capital OF late concerning alleged dissen-
sions in the cabinet over the silver cues
ton. Your correspondent has made efforts
to ascertain the truth of these rllmors and
discovers that there is very little founda-
ton for them. Though the cabinet has not
been wholly harmonious as 10 what is the
best thing TO be done, these differences are
only those differences of opinion likely TO
occur at any time and abort 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, aud that the pluck and
combativeness which carried the struggle
OF so long Were furnished wholly by Presi-
dent Cleveland himself. Perhaps it would
be more accurate to say that five members
OF the cabinet have been of the opinion
that compromise would be better than a
continuance of the seemingly hopeless
struggle, for it is not certain that these
ministers have taken occasion to express
their views to the president in anything
more than guarded terms.
Grover Is the MacGregor.
This brings Us to the consideration Of a
fact about which we have also heard much
gossip in Washington. 1t is that the pres
ident absolutely dominates his cabinet, end
that, with single exception, no member
of the ministry stands up" before the
chief magistrate on any occasion. There is
reliable information to the effect that dis
cussions at cabinet meetings are rather
perfunctory affairs. Every one waits to
hear what MacGregor 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 in his own department or in con-
tact with senator's and other public men,
in Mr. Cleveland's presence he ALWAYS
thinks as Mr.. Cleveland does A good deal
OF the friction between the Democratic
majority of the senate and the White
House during the silver fight was caused
by this failure on Mr.. Carlisle's part to
tell the president the whole truth, even
though 1t should not be pleasant in 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 op-
pose Mr.. Cleveland directly, but he has a
way of doing so indirectly, sinuously, tact
fully, which is 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 Rstute 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 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
him. When the president has reached this
frame OF mind, Mr.. Lamont comes forward
WIN LIS tDiiltlS anu OllSl SOCCccu5 III
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 be more reticent.
"A Shrewd Game.
President Cleveland appears to be built
upon lines similar to those which were en-
ployed in the construction of General Har-
rlson. 1t used TO be saying in Washing
ton that ii senator or representative want
ed to get certain man appointed to office
the best thing he could do was to 90 to the
White House and propose a rival TO his
real candidate and press with all earnest
ness and consistency for the dummy rivals
appointment, taking care not to say any
thing too ugly or disagreeable about his
real candidate These tactics usually Sc
cured the appointment, not Of the man ap-
parently advocated, but of the other man.
1t often works that way with Mr.. Cleve-
land. Not long ago prominent Democratic
senator went to the White House deter
mined to play some such game. He had
post should be filed from his state. The
president asked him TO recommend good
man for the place.
oh, said the senator. you could take
any Democrat in my state without making
a mistake. They are all good men for this
OR any other appointment"
But that is not what / want" said Mr..
Cleveland. Il would Ike for you TO pick
me out five or six men whose appointment
would be satisfactory TO you as well az cred
liable to the country and the administra-
ton"
The senator endeavored to comply. He
named five or SIX men, taking care TO bury
the name of the man he really wanted ap-
pointed somewhere in the middle OF the
list In discussing these names the senator
said something good about al OF them save
this one in the middle, an oversight which
the president quickly detected
And what IS the matter with Ar. So
sn3-sot" he asked the senator, naming the
gentleman in the middle Of the list.
lie is good Elan. Mr. President, re-
pIie,; the senator, but surely you Wont
think Of appointing him. The truth about
g Is be i too valuable man Ia our state.
We cannot afford 10 lose him. lie Is per
haps the best and strongest msa we have,
but there Is certain work n the IsrtT which
none bat be could do. and u would b.
great loss 10 US IL be were iaksn cut Of the
state and sent abroad. Now, these other
gentlemen are equally a good perhaps FOR
your purpose, and we can better spare any
one OF them"
Il viii see about this" said Dir. ClsTe-
land, and the interview came TO al ED
This was at II clock in the morning ii
] o'clock the president sent 70 the senate
the name CT the man from the middle q
the list a his appointee 70 the diplomatic