The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-25
Ex-GOv. Francis of Missouri
Made Secretary of Interior.
He was Appointed by President
Cleveland Yesterday.
TT WAS. VERY SUDDEN.
An Appointment was Not Elk.
peeted So Soon.
Francis Has Been WarmFriend
of Cleveland.

Buzzard's Bay, Aug. 25.-President
Cleveland announces that Ex-Governor
Francis of Missouri, has been appointed
secretary of the interior vice Hoke
Smith
Washington, Aug. 25.-The announce
ment that the president has appointed
Ex-Governor Francis Of Missouri. to
succeed Mr.. Smith as secretary of the
interior. rather surprised Washington
last night. more because of the sud
denness with which it followed on the
heels of the announcement of Mr..
Smiths retirement than because of the
selection.
There was a feeling that the presi-
dent would probably select Mr.. Smiths
successor from the middle west as the
south was already well represented in
his official family. Speculation, there
fore went to Missouri, Indiana and
Illinois and the names of Ex-Governor
Francis, ex-Congressman Bynum and
others naturally suggested themselves.
Governor Francis took a strong stand
in favor of the gold standard in the
preliminary battle for delegates to the
Chicago convention and he and his as
sociates were disastrously beaten in his
state. During the convention he was
also active. Since the convention he
has, it is said by his friends here, given
no public utterance as to his position
with regard to the Chicago ticket and
so far as known has not at least act
lively allied himself with the move
nent for the Indianapolis convention.
Governor Francis throughout his po-
lftfca1 career has been strong sup
porter and warm friend of Mr.. Cleve-
land. Tt is recalled that when Mr..
Cleveland was at Lakewood making up
his cabinet upon his second term, ex-
! Governor Francis was summoned there
and there was a strong impression for
time that he would be given a, port
| folio.
He has been mayor of St Louis and
/ governor of Missouri and before Mr..
| Cleveland's name became q certainty
as president, was pressed for the
| presidential nomination. At the time
! he was talked of for a cabinet position
| It was said he had been bitterly op-
| posed by a faction in his state and that
| remonstrance against his appointment
! was sent to Mr.. Cleveland. He has
! been here frequently and is exceeding
| ly popular. He was here only a few
! days ago and it was thought when he
| had gone he went to Gray Gables. He
! is still a comparatively young man, in
/ the neighborhood of so. Although tall
/ er In stature he somewhat resembles
| Secretary Morton in personal appear
| ance. He has a fOrid complexion.
| sandy hair and moustache.
| Ex-Governor Francis is said to be
| possessed of considerable means. He
! was said to be millionaire a few years
ago.
Secretary Smith evinced the greatest
| satisfaction when he heard the name of
/ his successor. He said in response to a
! question, I have the pleasure of an
! intimate personal acquaintance with
Governor Francis and esteem him most
highly He is man of marked ability.
J OF course feel a deep interest in the
( department and don't know Of any
man I would rather see for my success
sor''
He expects to reIinquish his Office to
| his successor on September I.