The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-06-07
0lney May Be Premier.
IT is RUMORED THAT THE PRESIDENT
WILL OFFER HIM THE STATE
PORTFOLIO.

A Washington dispatch TO the
Times of June 4th, says:
There is a prevalent and generally
credited rumor that Attorney Gen.
eral Olney has been rendered and ac-
cepted the position of Secretary Of
State. 1t has been stated in some
quarters that the matter was laid be-
fore the Cabinet to-day, and that
there was general concurrence of
belief that the selection of Attorney
General Olney for the position would
be most appropriate primarily be-
cause of his personal familiarity with
nearly all matters now pending before
the State Department. 1t is well
known that upon all important inter
national questions the late Secretary
of State sought the advice and coun-
sci of the Attorney General, for
whose abilities and judgment Gen
eral Gresham entertained the highest
regard.
A member of the Cabinet, who was
present at the meeting to-day, states
most positively that this important
subject was not considered by the
Cabinet, and that the president has
given no indication concerning his
probable action in the matter. The
current rumor is that Mr.. Olney will
be made Secretary of State, and the
present acting Secretary of State, Mr..
Uhl, of Michigan, will at the same
time be appointed Attorney General.
The prevailing impression in the
higher circles Of politics and states
manship appears to be that the Presi-
dent desires to avoid undue haste in
filling the existing vacancy, but that
it will be deemed necessary to make
the appointment before the President
leaves the city for his summer resi-
dence at Gray Gables. No reliable
authority can be found for the rumol
concerning Attorney General Olney
although it is generally credited be
cause of the conceded fitness of such
a selection. 1t is known, however
that the advisability of the selection
of Postmaster General Wilson for the
position of Secretary of State wa:
suggested by the president to a mem
Der of the Cabinet on Saturday last
A long time personal and intimate
friend of Postmaster General Wilson
to-day stated to the Times cores
pondent that Mr.. Wilson would pre-
fer remaining in his present position
| on account of the delicate condition
| of his health, although he would un
doubtedly appreciate the honor of the
| premiership. He has been over
worked, and his vitality drained dur
ing the past two years on account o
his active participation in nationa
| legislation, and he would not be phys
ically capacitated to meet the require
ments of the first position in thl
| Cabinet
The name Of Senator Gray, of Del
aware, has been frequently used il
connection with this position, an(
there is no question of his complct,
equipment for the Office. Politica
considerations are such, however
| that his selection is not deeme,
likely.
Senator Gray was in the city to
day, and spent some time with tn
President before the Cabinet meeting
this morning, and was at the EXecu
tive Mansion in private conversation
with President Cleveland for nor
than an hour this afternoon Thi
fact, under existing circumstances
has caused considerable speculation
concerning the possibility of the Sc
lection of Senator Gray, but the use
fulness of Senator Gray upon tn
floor of the Senate in the past, an,
the importance of his presence in tn
Senate during the next winter, prac
tically precludes the probability of hi
transfer to the executive branch O
the government at this time.