Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-10
OLNEY AS A CANDIDATE
The Secretary of State Added to the List of
Possibilities.
Politicians Who Think He Has Been
Named as Mr.. Cieveland's Residuary
Legatcc-His Official Record.

Those politicians who are devoting
large proportion of their time and energies
to the casting of presidential horoscopes
have added to the list of possibilities Rich
ard Olney of Massachusetts. the present
Secretary of State. In fact, his name is
beginning to figure quite conspicuously in
all calculations which must depend for
verifcauon upon the next national cam
paign.
The feature of especial prominence and
significance which attaches to the likeli-
hood of Mr.. Olneys candidacy is the alle-
cation that he has been selected as the
residuary legatee of President Cleveland.
This is not held by those who believe Mr..
Cleveland is aspiring to another term to
mean that Mr.. Cleveland has abandoned or
even despaired of his supposed efforts to
achieve his own denomination. But in the
event that failure becomes in advance self
evident, then will all the influence and
power of the administration be exerted In
behalf of the gentleman from Massachu-
setts.
Facts Urged in His Favor.
The facts are set forth in the way of
corroborative evidence that the President
originally made Mr.. Olney member of his
official family because of the high regard
he entertained for his abilities and politi-
cal acunen. That this opinion was not
confined to his legal attainments Is proven
by the promotion of the Attorney General
to the premiership 1t is pointed out that
Mr.. Olney was unusually successful in con-
Quoting the Department of Justice. The
labor troubles a year ago, which culmi-
rated in the Chicago riots and serious dis
turbances In California, gave him an op-
pcrtunity of proving his capabilities, and
the record made at that time is believed to
have materially added to his reputation.
That it was sufficient to place him in the
held to be evidenced by his promotion to
lie Secretary of State. In his new position
Mr.. Olney's friends declare that he will
more than Justify their high expectations
by pursuing a conservative, but at the
same time sufficiently vigorous foreign
policy, and so conducting the affairs of
mis- department as to maintain and Increase
the reputation for executive ability he has
already esta blished. 1t is also urged that
Secretary Olney's financial views are of
the most satisfactory character. and un-
tainted by heresies of any description. At
the same time he zealously affirms and ad-
vocates all the fundamental principles of
democracy. His location. geographically
is regarded So in his favor. because 1t is
becoming more apparent every day that
Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Hill will destroy
each other in New York, and the party in
that state has already been metaphorically
erouno between the upper and the neither
millstones. Mr.. Olney is within approxi-
mately speaking distance of the metropolis,
and would in all probability receive the ur-
divided support of New England Mr..
Olrey is sixty years old, which is politically
considered the physical and mental prime
of life.
The Debit Side.
On the debit side of the ledger is placed
the fact that Mr.. Olney would in the event
Of his presidential candidacy be denounced
as corporation attorney. This arraign-
nent Is met with the argument that his
following Of the law has in every respect
been legitimate. and that his services as
counsel for railroads can no more be
charged to his discredit than in the cases
OF ex-President Harrison, Senator Allison
ana other leading aspirants for the repub-
lican nomination. His melgibility Is cid
to be in nowise indicated by the fact that
no has never been active in politics as the
candidate for an elective office. The same
disqualification could have been urged
against Secretary Lamont, ex-Postmaster
General Bissell and Secretary Smith. AS
a matter Of fact, the late Secretary Gres-
ham. although holding three cabinet port
folios, was never upon any but a county
ticket