The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-18
Intercedes With Cleveland for
the Ex-Office Holders
THE PRESIDENT AsroN,snep.
But He Does Not Rebuke the Audao.
ity Of the Georgian.
ID. q. Finch, Of Seattle. Wants Lana
Commissionershfp-W Washington state
Applicants Are slow In Filing Claims
-Prssidens Cleveland's Birthday.

WASHINGTON CRY. March 17.-rSpe.
ciai. The ex-ofiiceholders who, Presi-
dent Cleveland has decided, must give
way to new men. found o defender today
and an influential one. 1t was no less q
parsonage than the secretary of the in.
terror. Hoke Smith. 1t occurred at tho
cabinet meeting this afternoon and was
an episode that the president did
not relish. Secretary Smith does not
approve of barring out from Office
persons who held positions under Mr..
Cieveland's former reign. He has . num-
Der OF Georgia friends who wish to hold
office, but they labor under the disad.
vantage Of having drawn money from the
public treasury eight years ago. In q
private conversation the secretary Of the
interior has been free to criticise the
principle laid down by the presi-
dent regarding ex-office holders.
and is Of the opinion that to carry it out
VIII only hurt the party in practical
way. but up to today he has criticised in
private. Yesterday. however. some of his
Georgia friends called on the president.
and were informed by him that the ex-
officeholders' obstacle rule would apply To
them. They went at once to Hoke Smith
and told him their troubles. He
sympathized fully with them, and went
to the White House today IN that frame
of mind. Soon after the cabinet meeting
began and the subject of appointments
came up, Secretary Smith made a protest
against the rule laid down by tho presi-
dent. He took the side of the former
Office holders. and protested that as the
former Office holders had done more to
bring about the nomination and election
of Mr.. Cleveland than any other class Of
people, they were deserving of some con-
sideration. Mr.. Cleveland was astonished
at the audacity Of the Georgia member of
the cabinet in daring to oppose one of his
pet rules, but he was wise enough to
see the wisdom OF having no controversy
% early in the career Of the cabinet, 90
changed the subject Mr.. Cleveland thinks
that Secretary Smith was put mp to this
protest by certain Of the Democratic soma
tors with whom he had Q formal clash
yesterday. Secretary Smith rejected the
views Of many Democratic senators and
congressman whom he made the protest.
and they will do their best 70 have him
keep up the fight h behalf Of the sx-ofacs
holders.
The cabinet vas In sess3on 10 about
m hour and . half today and several
members stayed behind foe some time
longer discussing the afEaies of their de-
partments With the president
Today was the oosh annivsrsary Of the
birth Of The ssosstasV a state, and the
president and msmbsrs q the cabinet did
not fail to congratulate Judge Gresham.
Secretary Of War Lamont suggested that
it would b the presidsnts turn tomorrow
to receive congratulations, - he will csle.
brats his Seth birthday.
The Warrington stats Democrats are
moving slowly In applying for Federal
positions, and applications have not q
yet been regularly filed at the various de-
partments. In measure this 10 possibly
duo to the fact that there are no promi-
nent Democrats from the state on the
ground to take caro- Of the patronage
business. 1t is possible that those
who desire Offices from Washing.
ton will lose nothing by fall
ing to get their applications in
early for the reason that President Cleve-
land is determined not TO move rapidly.
and his cabinet advisers have instructions
to move slowly in making changes in
offices. ID. o. Finch, of Seattle, who has
been an applicant for the land commits
sionership, hardly expects to secure the
place. The position will be given to .
Western man, but it will be a man who
lives further east than Washington state.
The statement in New York papers that
. protest numerously signed by prominent
citizens against the contamination Of the
extradition treaty with Russia would be
sent to Secretary of State Gresham, was
shown the secretary this afternoon. He
said he had not received any protest, and
in reply to the question whether it would
avail anything, said he thought not. 'Tho
public may not know what is in the
treaty." concluded Secretary Gresham,
ct being held in confidence until ratified
and proclaimed"
The committee on privileges and elec-
tions held caucus this morning, lasting
about two hours and half. Only two
cases were discussed. and those in an in-
formal manner. They were the cases Of
Mantle and Beckwith. appointed by the
governors Of Montana and Wyoming,
respectively, and the question before the
COMMITTEES was whether, 1t being the be-
ginning of full term and the legislatures
having refused to elect, the certificates
from the governors were valid, and
WDctucK TIC BOVSiuofb WSH0 ouShAALc0 W
appoint. The conditions in the case Of
Allen, Of Washington. whose credentials
have not yet arrived, are somswhss
different, but the result appears to b the
same In all three cases, and II probably
will be considered from the same basis.
The committee IL divided on the question.
and the division was not drawn according
10 party lines. There viii probably be .
majority and minority report. and this. it
Is thought. will be the cause for pro-
tracted debate, with ths end In view Of
finally establishing . precedent that shall %
the law Of the senate The committee will
meet again on Monday afternoon and the
two senators-elec. will be permitted 70
come before the committee and make such
statements ~ they may see IT.
President Cleyeland's friends hasten To
enter . denial Of the current report that
he had inaugurated . big fight against the
senate because of his dispieasure on &C.
count of tho manner in which the com.
mit,ees Of that body had been organized.
Mr.. Cleveland might have been better
pleased had the senate committees been
organized diffsssntiy, they say, but he
has net shown and does not intend to
manifest any displsasurs or disappoint.
ment that he may feel. The attention Of
several senators who called at the White
House was called to the Published story,
and they unsnimously denied any know.
edge Of the alleged strained relations b.