New-York tribune., 1896-12-28
THE PORTFOLIO OF STATE.
1T IS SAID TO BE OSCILLATING BETWEEN
SHERMAN AND ALLISON.
no TENDER OF A CABINET POSITION HOWEVER.
HAS YET BEEN MADE TO EITHER SEN
AToR-sHERMAN's PREFERENCE
FOR THE SENATE.
FOR THE SENATE
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.1

Canton Ohio Dec Ex-senator Mitchell. OF Ore
gon. who is the guest Of relatives In this CITY,
called on Major Mckinley after the latters re-
turn from church to-day Senator Mitchell Is
impressed with the idea that the appointment OF
good man to the Cabinet from the Pacific Slope
will be d good thing for the country and Tor the
Republican party There is every reason TO be-
lieve that California man will be selected for an
important Cabinet position.
Beyond this development Cabinet making has
to halt for a time. and doubtless II VIII
not be actively resumed until early in the new
year II has been thrice stated in these dispatches
that the important portfolio of State would be ten
derod to much before the middle o. January
and thrice within the last ten days Unauthorized
reports from Dubuque have stated that lrieho'
close TO" Senator Allison had positively asserted
that Major Mckinley had asked him to become
Secretary O, State and that he had consented TO
DO so In each case Mr. Allison has promptly
denied these statements. and thcra Is every re"so"
TO believe that thcy a source OF grave annoy
ance TO him. as they doubtless to the President
elect
1t is not at all unlikely that Major Mckinney
within . week after the new year. Will set 10 work
upon the task OF preparing his inaugurai hu"'eS7
There is NJ reason why 1t cannot. IN Inc MALL "o
drafted in January as well as In the lat'ei part
OF February.
Major McKinev's friends are still urging MN 10
20 10 some remote and quiet place in the Sou'h
10 enjoy three or four weeks OF comparative soil
tude and before he enters upon his duties III
Washington Major Mckinley has SAID ho'hinr
10 Indicate that he has decided TO take q vacation
in the South bu, /. is certain that many oi MS
warn,cs. friends mindful o. his comfort ana we'll
being will urge him with much earnestness 10
do So Aside from any feeling which lie hinseii
may have in the matter, Mrs. Mckinney h'"'''
would furnish sufficient reason Tor MS absence
from Canton this winter. She was so mucn pehe-
flied by her visit TO Chicago. 1t is reasonable TO
IN 10
still greater advantage to her: IN. nort.oI,o of
State seems to be gently oscillati between sen
ator Sherman. OF Ohio and Senator Alisoh' o.
Iowa Senator Allison has made one poiht cieat.
and that ,s that tender OF n CaDine, position
has been made TO him II is eqHny 1rne ana' o mo
the oiher hand. an effort MAJ be made with,h a
short time TO learn what the views OF one or @ both
of them are concerning the Cabinet Inc form
usually observed by a President-clect Is 10 ascei-
tain through the medium OF third pepson "he'nes b
the man whom ii Is desired TO appp1Il'' 10 IN, uie
Cabinet would be willing 10 accept the position-
Drfe' ien6fs abs % woroP % peop have the oppor
iunity TO decline the honor OF an appointment to
bor OF Iowa men within the last ten days Indicate
that the sentiment OF the prQpe o. ma S n,ase i
in favor OF having Senator Allison accept the STATE
Senator Sherman's Ohio friends are good deai
ough, TO pursuc During the wcek the correSpond-
ent OF The Tribun' has talked with Senator Shcr-
mans friends long standing in Cincinnati, CO
umbus Dayton Toledo and Cleveland. Many OF
his warmes; adherents think ihat he ouSn, m to to
believe that he could clos, his career more brill
iautly as Secretarj o, state. Iney strengthen
This argumen; by rcciting the fact that for long
term OF years ne has been chairman o. tho senate
Committee Foreign Relations and an active
factor in the negotiations OF large number OF
i,nDnrtant .reattcS. He Is thoroughly conNerSdn'
with the questions which are likely TO arise" In
connection with this countrys relations with for
eign governments and has acquired a store or
knowledge on these subjects whicn FOR copious-
ness and accuracy IL not equallcd by thdt o. any
other Dublic man. Senator sherman is hearing
both sides OF the Cabinet question discussed. but
has given no indication Yet aS 10 whether he would
or would not accept the portfolio o. State.
II is known thai hia tendencies are toward the
continu iton o. his life in the Senat" aud that
he has never hal dcs..e 10 be Secretary o.
state He doubtless feels that he can b" reelected
10 the senate at the end o. his present term.
which viii. expire OF March 3. lss' His work A.
"a Senator has been reduced To so admrahir
system and il Is facilitated 10y his prodisious
know ledge and experience. that b" can conduct
n with very little inconvenience 10 himself. ~
Secretary Of State hc would have TO rae" scoi, or
new and possibly annoying situations daily Ihcs>
considerable will probably prevail with Senator
sherman and incline the balance toward the idea
OF closing his distinguished public career IN the
seat which he now occupies