Evening star., 1896-11-17
Howthe President-Elect Keeps Away
Unwelcome Visitors.
PROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION TALKED OF
Probabilities as to Cabinet Positions
Naturally Thought Of.
A PROCESS OF EXCLUSION
Correspondence of TIE Evening Star.


Maj. Mckinley knows how to keep peo-
pie away when he doesn't want to see
them. Pilgrims from distance were in
uncertainty for a week. because If they
came here the Prestdent-elect was likely
to be In Cleveland and not easily accessi-
BILE for. private conferences. But he did
not go to Cleveland. Now when the pill
grims conclude to make their intended
visits they may come and find he Is in
the city by Lake Erie. though his inden-
tions can be quickly altered and he may
remain at home
I do not mean from this that the doors
Of the Mckinley home are less hospita bly,
open than they were before the election or
the nomination. Anybody who strolls up
North Market street, If he Is a stranger,
will easily find the house. The grassless
lawn trodden smooth and hard as a race
course marks 1t for all comers. The stran-
ger may enter without bidding and may
have the privilege of shaking the hand
OF the President and telling how
glad he Is that the country made the choice
1t did. If the visitor has been there in
the past the chances are that he will be
recognized and he is likely to secure an
extra minutes talk. The same courtesy
and simplicity that have marked Maj. Nc
kinley's course since he retired to Can
ton from the governorship at Columbus are
still observed.
Undesirable Visit0rs.
But there was a class of visitors whose
presence was not desired in too great num-
bers so socn, and they have stayed away
either because of the confusion of Focat-
ing the major or because they felt that
they would be more welcome If they came
later. These were the local leaders who
carried their counties or district Is and who
are apt to think that the incoming Presi-
1<ay,f f, v.nNHl lvarr fop
him how they did it, while incidentally
they let him know what they want A
vast number Of letters have been received,
telling how these things were done. Before
Private Secretary Boyle filed the letters
away many of them were read by Maj.
Mckinley. for he took a keen interest dur
ing the campaign in the local conditions in
various parts of the country, and he was
not averse to learning the details of the
result. Possibly some of the letters have
been filed with the MAJORS personal memo
randum, which will show in the future that
the writers acted sensibly in not posting
off to Canton.
Naturally the leaders in the republican
party not coming to the city Of the
successful candidate without an intima-
ton that their presence is desired Mark
Hanna and the majors cousin, Gen. Os-
borne, will be the medium through which
these intimations are likely to be made
AS the time approaches for the opening
of Congress, Senators and Representatives
mony. Maj. McKmley's anxiety to be in
formed of the exact possibilities of tariff
and financial legislation will relieve the
Congressmen and the other visitors from
the seats at the cabinet board. The proba-
bility is that the majority of the men,
bers of his cabinet will greet the major in
Washington rather than in Canton.
Prospective Legislation.
Prospective legislation is unquestionably
occupying the mind of the President-elect
more than the cabinet at present. He is
watching public sentiment and when the
Congressman begin to come in they will
be asked to give their views freely. The
few visitors of consequence who have been
here have talked on the tariff and nothing
else. 1 have formed the impression that
whatever apparent advances may be made
with the Dingley bill. Maj. Mckinley shares
the belief of its author and of other Lead
ing members of Congress that the meas
ure cannot be passed in q shape which
will be satisfactory to the republican
party. And it is the republican party
which the new administration expects to
satisfy in its tariff legislation with such
Incidental satisfaction to the late allies
among the gold standard democrats as may
come from currency reform and, good gov
ernment.
Maj. Mckinley talks on the subject with
his habitual caution to those who enjoy
his confidence. If Senator Sherman should
succeed in giving life to the Dingley bill
and getting substantial amendments adopt.
ed there will be nothing to stand in the
way Of the incoming adnMnistra ac-
cepting it. The Ohio Senator may even
be given the moral support Of the new
President in seeking to have 1t adopted.
neither surprised nor disappointed His
long congressional experience stands him
instead. He will be ready to call an ex-
ira session of Congress in March to enact
tor uyhf w
revenues. The reciprocity plans which Mr.
Hopkins subcommittee have been engaged
on are certain to be a part of any general
tariff bill.
Cabinet Gossip.
While legislation is the uppermost topic
with the people who are most closely as
sociated with Maj. Mckinley, 1t is impos-
sible to forget that a cabinet must be put
together. The beginning seems to be by
process of exclusion. There is much diff
Guilty in guessing who will be in the cabi-
net. There is an approach to positive as
sertion In the statements that some folks
will not be In it. This is not a reflection
on them. 1t is simply the recognition Of
conditions which exist. Some of the men are
will be handsomely cared for in respon-
sible offices. Nobody is likely to get
doomed into McKinley's cabinet.
Mentioned, but PrOba bly, Not in 1t.
Complimentary mention Is made at times
Of Representative Robert r. Hit Of ILL.,
nois and Of John Hay of Ohio for the State
Department. Mr.. Hit enjoys the personal
friendship Of Maj. Mckinley, but he will
not be asked into the cabinet on that ac-
count. What he will be asked to do will be
to uphold the administrations foreign pol
icy in Congress. John Hay is sure to be
identified with the Mckinley. administra-
ton, but rather as minister to Great Brit
ain or France than as Secretary of State,
His accomplishments are held in high re-
gard by Maj. Mckinley, but in the make
up Of the cabinet political considerations
| will weigh heavily, and Mr.. Hay has been
outside the current of public affairs. After
his visit the other day 1t was said he had