The San Francisco call., 1896-11-26
CABINET-MAKERS
VISIT MCKINLEY
Farmers Name a Man for
Secretary of Agri-
culture.
Michigan Would Feel Honored
if General Alger Were
Recognized.
Whitslaw Reid, Mark Hanna and
Other Prominent Persons Dine
With the Major.

CANTON, OHIO, Nov. 25.-Maior Nc
| Kinley listened this evening to formal
| request for recognition by appointment to
the Cabinet. A com mittee OF the National
Grange, an organization of farmers with e
membership of $50 600. urged Mr. McKin-
ley to appoint J. H. Brigham of Ohio as
Secretary of Agriculture. The committee
consisted of G. II. Hale of New York,
| George B. Horton of Michigan and w. w.
Miller. secretary of the Ohio State OF Agri-
culture. Aaron Jones, the spokesman,
said:
"Wc feel that the vast agricultural in
terest of the country ought to be recog-
nized by the appointment OF practical
farmer to the position of Secretary of Ag-
riculture. Colonel Brigham. whom we
recommend, is successful farmer, a
strong man Of affairs. good writer and a
good Repu blican. He has been for some
years chairman cf the National Grange,
and he is favorablv and widely known.
We are not satisfied with the course of
the present administration toward the
farmers. We hope the Republican party
will give US not only representative in
Cabinet, but fair and generous treatment
in its tariff BILL"
Major Mckinley promised to carefully
consider the suggestions of the committee
and its members departed in excellent
spirits.
The most interesting feature of the Pres
ident-elect's day was the arrival of a party
OF distinguished visitors from Cleveland at
1:30. In the party were Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. A.
Hanna and Miss Mabel Hanna, General
and Mrs. Samuel Thomas of New York
and their son, Ex-Governor Merriam of
Minnesota, Mrs. Merriam and Miss
Merriam, Miss Phelps, General W. d.
Caldwell. president of the Lake Shore
Railroad. and Mrs. Cald we'll, Mr.. and Mrs.
H. A. Gauslin of Toledo. Mr.. and Mrs.
Whitelaw Reid, who were journeying to
Arizona, arrived at the same time Major
Mckinley and his brother Abner were at
the station to receive the guests. Major
Mckinley escorted Mrs. Whitelaw Reid
and Mrs. Hanna to his carriage and drove
them himself to the house. Mark Hanna
sat on the seat beside him.
Luncheon was served at 2 O'Clock. II
was $3.50 when the party left the table.
Major Mckinley withdrew for a private
talk with Mr.. Reid, and remained closet
ed with him until the visitors left for the
station at P. NJ. There was a good deal of
talk about Ex-Governor Merriam of Min
nesota for Secretary of the Interior Mr..
Hanna did not have private conference
with Major Mckinley, owing to the brew
ity of his visit.
Congressman Smith of Grand Rapids.
Mich, the only man in the State who ran
ahead of Governor-elect Pingree, came by
appointment to see Mr.. Mckinley late this
afternoon. He was accompanied bS
Charles NJ. Head. Mr. Smith was cor
daily greeted by the President-elect and
had long audience with him.
Michigan would feel honored," said
Mr.. Smith to representative of the United
Associated Presses, ''if General Aleer
were given a Cabinet position. We feel
that We deserve good treatment from the
Republican party"
Continuing, Mr.. Smith said: sI am
opposed to the Dingley bill and do not
think it will pass. The indications are
that there will be an extra session of Con-
gress.''
Among the callers to-day were Murat
Halstead, A. Butler Duncan of New York
and E. F. Andrews. director of the Cor
coran School of Art, Washington.