Evening star., 1895-06-03
Included in the List of Possible
Secretaries of State.
HIS POLITICAL STATUS UNCERTAIN
But He Voted for Cleveland
in 1884.
STILL TALK OF BAYARD

The name of ex-Secretary Bristow of
New York is now included in the specula-
ton touching the vacancy in the State De-
partment. There Is nothing definite offered
in support of the suggestion, and there
seems to be d shade of doubt in some quar-
ters as to just where Mr.. Bristow stands
politically at this day. He has not been
prominent IN politics for nearly twenty
years. After the Cincinnati convention, in
1876. when he figured in the balloting for
President, he moved to New York and es-
tablished himself in the law. He has ever
since resided there, and while taking no
part in national affairs. has on more than
one occasion identified himself with move
ments looking to the betterment of the To-
cal government. This has caused him to
touch shoulders with the mugwumps, and
IN 1854 he was classed among those who
while not subscribing entirely to the demo-
cratic policy, preferred, on personal
grounds. Mr.. Cleveland to Mr.. Blaine and
was said to. have voted the democratic ma
tional ticket that year. What his position
was in 1855 and in 1892. Mr.. Blaine being
eliminated from the equation, is not stated
But. at any rate Mr.. Bristow's discomfort
with his old party affiliations antedates
that of the late Judge Gresham, and for
that reason, 1t may be, coupled with his
ability, experience and location, his name
is now brought forward in connection with
the State Department succession. Mr..
Bristow enjoyed for a time under President
Grant much the same confidence and ad-
vancement that Judge Gresham did under
President Arthur.
He was promoted from the solicitor gen.
eralship to the secretaryship of the treas
ury, and for season some of the republi-
can managers thought they detected a pur-
pose on President Grants part to groom
Mr.. Bristow for the presidential succession.
But, however this may have been, the
whisky scandals arose in 1875, and Mr..
Bristow's part as Secretary of the Treas
ury in exposing the conspiracy and punish
ing the conspirators was such that he be-
came embroiled In factional fighting and
the effort to make him the reform candi-
date in 1876 failed. Some of his friends
and champions were indiscreet and arrayed
against him, by too severe criticism of
certain party managers, agencies which in
convention he could not withstand. Mr.
Bristow Is accredited with some of the
characteristics that made Judge Gresham a
force in affairs. He has pluck and persist
ency and Is very downright at times. He
was never high protectionist. He is a
sound money man. His views on foreign
affairs are. Of course, unknown. though his
appearance at the head of the cabinet
table would arsue his Endorsement and
support of the Presidents policy.
still Much Bnyard Talk.
There is till a good deal of Bayard talk.
Canvassed from every point of view, the
Delaware statesman Is thought to fill the
bill completely. The understanding between
him and the President is probably perfect.
They have worked together in all things,
and the reason now given as to why Mr..
Cleveland upon taking office the second
time did not again avail himself of Mr..
Bayards services in the State Department
is that he could not afford to make that
difference between members of his first
cabinet. Circumstances were such that he
could not call the others back, and so he
was forced to make an entirely new slate.
The belief Is, however, that mis- first
thoughts were Of Mr.. Bayard when fortune
for the second time called him to the White
House. Mr.. Bayard, 1t is said. enjoyed his
one term in he State Department. The
criticism of his course was now and then
little biting, but he had been in politics
long enough to throw that off. He likes his
present post very much, but nobody seems
to doubt that he would readily exchange 1t
for the other. Washington is town that
suits him. And then it is close TO Della
ware, where, just now, under the blight of
the Addicks shade, the republican party is
showing signs of distress. Mr. Bayard,
Within easy reach, could render his old
friends much assistance in getting the
upper hand again. could hammer away
little himself on a new democratic coop
for the blue hens chickens. He may not
care for further honors from the state, but
1t is assured that he must earnestly de-
sire to see his old bailiwck safely demo-
cratic again, and that ne would gladly as
sist in the work.