Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-08
His Retirement From the Cabinet is
Expected.
CLEVELAND'S AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDE
Intent Upon the Accomplishment
of Byan's Defeat.
INDEPENDENT NOV EN- E n T

The retirement of Secretary Smith from
the cabinet may be expected and there is
talk of restlessness and uncertainty in
another quarter. There has been much
said about Mr.. Cleveland kee ping his hands
off and permitting the members of his ad-
mnistration to do as they please about
supporting tine Bryan ticket. This idea
does not do full credit to the Presidents
earnestness. 1t is more than likely that he
will not regard what may be said or done
by minor officials, so long they are not
guilty of offensive partisanship in behalf
of Mr.. Bryan, but he Is not possessed of
that Indifference which would make 1t ac-
ceptable to him for member of his i'm
mediate official household to give active
support to ticket whose success he be-
lieves would bring disaster upon the coun-
try and be a condemnation of this ad-
ministration.
Will He of His Own Motion.
There is no idea that he has or will have
to give any intimation of this sort to Mr..
Smith. The retirement of Mr.. Smith, when
ever 1t comes, will be of his own motion
and because his sense of the fitness Of
things would not admit of his remaining in
such close relations to the administration
without being in entire harmony with Mr..
Cleveland. The fact that their disagree
ment is merely one of political policy does
not relieve the situation much, though it
does make 1t impossible that there should
be personal rupture between them
Smith beng an anti-silyer man and stop
ping only short of bolt of the party on
that question. There Is no doubt a thor
OF gh understanding between Mr.. smith and
the President, and the Secretary is no more
apt TO yield a point than is-the President.
Mr.. Clevelnnd's Attitude.
1t Is warrantable to say that the attitude
of Mr. Cleveland toward the Bryan ticket
Is much more positive and aggressive than
has been indicated by any of the many
guesses that have been INDUCED In on the
subject There is nothing passive nor In
dulgsnt in his attitude. He is intent upon
the accomplishment Of Bryans defeat and
II is said that he can be depended upon
10 do anything he thinks will best serve
TO that end His Is not an ordinary oppo-
Eition. which simply disapproves, but Is In
tense, and will be active. Under the cir
canstances man supporting the demo-
cratic nominee would be much out OF
place in his cabinet would protection
list have been as Secretary of the Treasury
while he was fighting for free trade. Sec
fetary Smith has never made a formal an
noUncement of his personal attitude in the
present hight, but there is no doubt about
his following the policy which has been
adopted by his paper, which would not
have been adopted without his approval,
and though he has not taken the public
fully into his confidence, it Is certain that
he has not left Mr.. Cleveland in doubt on
the matter.
The Independent Movement.
A better knowledge Of the character Of
Mr. Clevelands opposition to the Bryan
ticket makes it clearer what his senti-
ments are as to the independent move
nlent inaugUrated in indianapolis. Ger
tain things mike it apparent that to what
ever degree he acquesces in that move
ment he is led TO 1t by the force of cir
cumstances. His own statement that he
has not given any advice touching the
course of the Indianapolis conference must
be accepted. but still the statement is war
rGnted that his individual idea is to take
the most direct steps possible to insure the
defeat of Bryan, and that those who fol-
low him, while not disapproving of the
Independent movement means of es-
cape for those whose partisanship will not
ADMIT of their supporting the republican
nominee. will probably take that more d.
rect course.
No one can remain in Mr.. Clevelands
immediate political household who supports
Bryan and the platform which condemns
all that Mr. Cleveland cherishes