The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-11-17
TWO STATE SECRETS.
WHY SECRETARY GRESHAM TOOK A
PLACE IN THE CABINET.
How the Secretary of State Blocked the
Silver Compromise-One Mans POten-
TALLY and Persistency-Right of the Ma
iority to Rule-Struck by a Cyclone.


jority to Rule-struck by a Cyclone.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. 13.-[SpeciallE
1t is an open secret in this city that Secre-
tary Gresham has proved to be the strong
est member of President Cleveland's cab
met. His selection for secretary of state was
criticised more than that of any other
member of the executive council because
Mr. Gresham had so recently been Re-
publican Some facts concerning the man.
ner in which Judge Gresham was induced
to enter the cabinet have never been pub
lished and are interesting at this time.
About the middle of December last Judge
Gresham was in New York on private bust
ness and called to see Mr. Cleveland, SIM
ply to pay his respects. The two men had
never met, and mutual admiration, sincere
and warm, at once sprang up between
them But Mr.. Gresham had no idea of
being asked to take seat in the cabinet.
In fact, when the matter was mentioned to
him by Que of his intimate friends, he said
Mr.. Cleveland could not afford to offer
him a place in the cabinet and he could
not afford to accept if such an offer were
made.
Judge Gresham was of the same mind a
few weeks later when a letter from Mr..
state was placed in his hands. That letter
was dated Jan. 25, and on the same day it
reached Chicago Don Dickinson arrived
there to urge Judge Gresham to accept. On
the Sd of February Judge Gresham sent a
letter to Mr.. Cleveland declining the honor,
doing so in such positive, blunt terms that
he and his friends with whom he had con-
suited, supposed the matter was settled.
They did not think any other Interpretation
could be placed upon the letter than that
the writer of it had considered well and
long and had fully determined what he
would do.
How Cleveland Secured Gresham.
But it is not in Mr.. Cleveland's nature to
give up at the first rebuff. Persistency is
one of his strongest traits. He had set his
heart on having Mr.. Gresham for his secre-
tary of state, and he returned to the charge
in a characteristic manner. He must have
received Judge Gresham's letter of declina-
tion on the 5th of February. On the 9th
he sent to Mr.. Gresham telegram about
20 words in length. 1t was remarkable
telegram. This expression: Il need you,
and the country needs you. Will you heed
our call?' was its keynote. Such a sum-
mons as this Judge Gresham could not re-
sist. Surprised as he was at the receipt of
the message, his judgment told him fate
was stronger than a mans will, and that
there was nothing for him to do but to
yield. The next day he sent telegram to
Mr. Cleveland accepting his offer, and the
matter was settled.
A Crisis In the Silver Fight.
1t was lucky for Mr.. Cleveland that he
sent that urgent telegram to Judge Gresh-
am, and that he was able to prevail upon
the judge to accept. Otherwise President
Cleveland would have met with defeat in
the greatest battle of his administration
up to this time-the contest for uncondi-
tional repeal of the Sherman law. 1t is one
of the secrets of the recent campaign that
but for the intervention and energy of
Secretary Gresham the compromise would
have been passed, and the administration
would to that extent have suffered an hui
initiating defeat.
The compromise had been arranged on
Saturday after conferences between DEM
ocratic senators and Secretary Carlisle
Silver senators and repeal senators, all but
five or six of the Democrats, had signed
their names to it. Not half dozen men in
all Washington doubted that it would be
introduced on Monday and be promptly
passed. The battle was over, every one
The warning factions in the senate had
agreed to it, and the administration had,
through Secretary Carlisle, given tacit con-
sent. This continued to be the situation
until Sunday evening
Gresham on the warpath.
Up to this time Secretary Gresham had
not taken an active part in the contest.
The campaign had been left in the hands
of Secretary Carlisle, to whom it naturally
belonged. To write truly the history of
this memorable contest it is necessary to
say that for the space of two weeks the
administration was in favor of compro-
mise. 1t was willing to have the period of
purchases extended year or so if authority
to issue bonds was given in an amend
ment. Secretaries Carlisle, Gresham and
Lamont all favored this. The president,
while carefully avoiding any positive dec
laration to that effect, was willing to APP
prove this mode of settlement.
But during the last two weeks of the
struggle in the senate a new question
arose. 1t was the question whether the
majority had the right and the power to
rule. While certain other members of the
cabinet continued favorable to compro-
mise, Secretary Gresham turned against
it and declared compromise was surrender
of the majority and of the great principle
of majority rights. He said this had be-
come greater question than repeal itself
and that the people had come so to re-
gard it.
How the Compromise Was Killed.
Sunday evening Secretary Gresham went
to work. He called on Senator Palmer and
asked if it was true he had signed the com
promise. Senator Palmer said he had, be
cause he understood the administration
was ready to accept it. "You signed, die
you not" asked Secretary Gresham, ''be
Hause that was the easiest way to get
sote? If it were possible to get vote Oh
unconditional repeal, you would not have
Endorsed the COMPROMISED" THAT is true
Mr. Secretary" ''Then we are to go befor,
the country and admit that we took com
promise because we could not get vote OF
anything else. We are to admit that thu
majority is powerless, and that the consti
tuition is failure" By this time Senato
Palmer was reused also, and he promised
to take his name from the paper the frs
thing next morning.
Secretary Gresham then went to Mr.. Car
isles house Senator Voorhees, was there
Both the secretary of the treasury and tn