Evening star., 1896-12-24
MCKINLEY IN CHICAGO
he Sees Politicians of All Shades of 0pin-
ion, and Gets Their Views.
Not Much Cabinet Timber in Illinois,
but Other States Have Ma
terjal to Draw On.
Correspondence Of The Evening Star.


Chicago to absorb the bracing atmosphere
of the northwest on his cabinet and the
policy of his administration. Conferences
with the newspaper editors, business men
ard politicians were, in reality, sought by
him. Some persons of consequence who
had qlalms about intruding on his time.
received delicate hints that they would be
welcome. So they went and gave him their
views. 1t is not necessary to enlarge on
the tariff suggestions. Even Editor Joseph
Medill was ready to uphold the administra-
ton in calling an extra session for the pur-
pose of securing larger revenues ny means
of customs duties. After "A talk with the
major he apparently became satisfied that
moderate bill could be passed which
would not affront public sentiment.
Barren of Cabinet Timber.
1t must have surprised the President
elect in looking over the magnificent prai-
ries OF Illinois, teeming with statesmen, 10
find them SO barren of cabinet timber Yet,
he can hardly be blamed for taking the
hest-kncwn citizens at their "oru Wheii
they depiored to him the lack OF GOOD ma
terial Senator Culiom has been resoiute
in not lettirg his friends make even susT,
gestion of his name. Governor-Eiect ran
rer and National Committeeman Jameson
in their call, made no request Tor cdpihet
representation. The element opposed 70
them. which has had the majors ear most
of the time. asked for no one. Neither
Editors Medill. Nixon or kohlsaat mad
CANDIDATE and even the Marquette Cltuo
has brought forward no name 10 cap tne
climax Mr. S. w. Allerton has taken adj
vantage of the presence of the President
elect to withdraw from the race lor lfe
cabinet and enter himself as a candldaee
for senator He thinks he can be OF more
service to the agricultural interests ana "
his friend President Mckinley in the Sen
ate than as "A member OF the administra-
ton. With Illinois so barren. it may be
dismissed from consideration unless the
major makes an original discovery OF MS
own, and this is not likely.
Senator Allison.
While the Chicago folks have been thus
unable to find greatness at their own door,
some bints in the nature of recommends
tions were given by the editors. business
men and politicians about eminent citizens
of other states. Many Of them put tenta-
tive inquiries to the maJo" concerning the
prospect of getting Senator Allison into the
cabinet He is the man they would all Ike
to there as the representative OF the
west. Maj. Mckinley could not give def
ni,e informal on, even had he desired. Sen
ator Allison has been too sick to consider
cabinet suggestions, tentative or otherwise.
The senator illness has been more serious
than made known to his friends in
Washington. An abSceSS in the head,
growing out of severe cold, brought him
close to the danger line. lie IS now well on
the road to recovery, but he has not been
giving much attention to public affairs.
When a positive statement was made that
he had been offered the state portfolio.
those who We're close to him knew better,
and authorized denial of any proffer
was put forth. The Iowa statesmen who
began to scramble over the senatorial sue
scession on their own assumption that Sena-
tor Allison would go into The cabinet met
with a sharp check. ard they are now less
forward. The Star correspondent is in
formed from trustworthy sources that so
far he lnS declared his feelings Senator
Allison's disinclination toward the cabinet
is unchanged. He is very sensitive lest
there should he an impression that he is
ambitious OF having another oppOrt tunity to
decline cabinet place, and resents sug-
gestions whicn appear 10 be made for the
purpose of Influencing the President-elect.
Nevertheless in spite of the senator's lack
of desire for the cabinet, no one can state
absolutely that if Maj. Mckinley should
conclude Senator Allison is essential TO the
success of the administration, the senator
would refuse 70 become a part of it. When
Mark Hanna returned TO Canton from the
national capital he had imbibed the sena-
torial view that Allison would not leave.his
place in the Senate, but the major did not
by the time Senator Allison goes 10 Wash
ington the President-elect VIII have settled
the question in his own mind.
Payne of Wisconsin.
Here in Chicago Maj. Mckinley is able
to get the local situation in Wisconsin and
Minnesota as it relates to Henry c. Payne
and ex-Gov. w. R. Merriam. respectively.
He has Cnquestionably been surprised to
discover that many people knew posi-
lively Mr.. Payne was to be PoStms Ster
General, because he had not previously
known it himself. This confidential infor-
NATION was common properly in Chicago.
1T came from the members of the national
executive committee. They want Payne III
the cabinet their repre- sentative and
they seem unconscious of the ndelicacy of
the demand they are making. In 1889 Pres
ident Harrison affronted Quay. Clarksun
and the other active managers because of
his unwillingness to recognize the national
committee as entitled to cabinet member.
President-elect Mckinley is confronted
with similar condition. In Wisconsin the
republican state committee is positive that
Payne will be in the cabinet. Its members
know his life ambition lies there The way
for ex-senator Spooners election to the
Senate has been cleared with the under
standing that Payne would be provided for
In the manner he desires The opposition
movement of ex-Gov. Hoards friends has
been Smothered far as possible. In
spite of all these things and in spite of
Mark Hanna's powerful friendship Mr.
Payne is not yet on the list. One of his
hackers is said to be Mr.. Philip D. Armour
whose interests he looked after in Wash
lngton when Congress was legisla ting on
oleomargarine. Maj. Mckinley was a mem
Der at that time. 1t is possible that when
the major weighs all the objections against
Payne's services and the wish of the poll.
ticians to have him in the cabinet the pos
tive points in his favor will overbalance
the objections. Payne, however is not
likely to be named for Postmaster General.
Mark Hanna will probably take the Post
Office Department In preference to the
Treasury. Payne really wants to be Secre-
tary of the Interior.
EX-GOv. Merriam.
The opposition to Ex-Governor Merriam
in his own state has abated somewhat since
1t became certain that Senator Cush Davis
was in no danger of becoming Secretar,, of
State. Naturally the friends of Davis
sought to lessen the support of Merriam SO
long as their own favorite was supposed Ia
have 3 chance. There are still some in
1uential republicans in Minnesota who do
not want Merriam in the cabinet and they
free their minds in a way to reach Ma aior
Mckinley. AT the same time his supporters
are more pronounced. Archbishop ireland
who was one of the majors visitors the
other day, and who holds a high place in
his regard. Is said to have put in a good
word for Merriam. If the latter goes into
the cabinet his reported preference for the
War Department is not likely to prevail
The Cuban situation will have a good deal
to do with both the War and Navy Depart
ments. Merriam has a prospect of becom-
ing Secretary of Agriculture, since the
dairy farmers are not likely to land ex-
Governor Hoard. while the movement of