Evening star., 1897-03-08
CABINET OFFICERS
They Assume Personal Control of
Their Departments.
SECRETARY SHERMAN'S MANY CALLERS
Diplomatic Corps to Be Formally
Received Wednesday.
9TH Err ECRETA RE S


slant rush of callers to pay respects
they were given very little time for the
considera ton of public business
Secretary Sherman was at the State De-
partment bright and early. and after look
ing over his mail went to the White House.
He was in conference with the President
about an hour, presumably in regard to the
proposed charges in the diplomatic serv-
ice. 1t is understood that selections have
been made for the four ambassadorships
at London, France, Germany and Italy. and
that the nominations will go to the Sem
ate tomorrow or soon after. The Offices of
assistant secretaries in the various depart
ment- are also expected to receive i'm
mediate attention. The successors of AS
sistant Secretaries Rockhill and Baldwin
will probably be among the early announce
mentS.
Returning to the State Department Sec
retary Sherman found a large number of
friends in waiting to extend their con-
gratu.ations. including many of his for
mer colleagues in the Senate and House
of Representatives. His office was open
nearly all day, and visitors had no trouble
to see the new premier and shake his hand.
He was assisted in receiving his visitors
by Mr.. Babcock, his private secretary.
Diplomats Notified.
In accordance with the custom, the mem
bers OF the diplomatic corps have been
informed that Secretary Sherman has been
appointed to Secretary of State, and that
he will be pleased to receive them in his
official capacity Wednesday morning at IL
o'clock. This reception is a formal pre-
liminary to the transaction of business by
the foreign representatives with the new
head of the foreign office. and ii is ey-
pected that all the members cf the dip.o-
matte corps will be in attendance ITsu-
ally the introductionS on occasions of this
kird are made by the retiring Secretary.
and eX-Secretary Olney will probably do
the honors next Wednesday in case he is
then In the city. Otherwise Assistant Sec
retary Rockhill or Assistant Secretary
Adee will make the presentations.
At the Treasury.
Secretary Gage had an exceedingly busy
day In receiving senators. members of the
House and ether high government officials
The ante room of his Office was thronged
nesriy all day The new Secretary made 1T
point to see all who called. The civil
service commissioners called in body just
peiore noon to pay their respects.
Mr. Howell, who has been Mr. Hamlins s
private secretary for the past four years
and who acted in similar capacity to his
predecessor, is making strols effort to
secure the appointment of assistant secre-
tary of the treasury in charge of the cus-
toms service, and is said to stand a good
chance of success
<ht tHt request Vi secretary Gage, Assist
ant Secretary Curtis will sign the official
mail as acting secretary of the treasury
until other arrangements ara made.
Ihere are three strong candidates for
the of1ce OF chief clerk of the Treasury
Department They are Col Bracket and Mr..
SwayZe, former occupants cf the office. and
Mr. Hills. assistant superintendent of the
building The two first named have power
fui influence back of them. Mr.. Plat of
New York is Mr.. Swayze's chief support
The Attorney General.
Like conditions existed in the Depart
ment of Justice. Attorney General Nc
kenna's time was entirely taken up by
callers, some of whom were candidates for
office, but the larger share desired only to
pay their respects and offer their consrat-
ulations Neither Secretary Gage nor At
torney General Mckenna expects to recon-
mend any nominations today, but ii is
nkely number of appointments will be
decided upon within a few days. Assistant
Secretary Hamlin will remain in office for
two Or three weeks. He has had special
cHarge OF customs matters, and 1t is prob
abie that the new Secretary will ask Mr..
Hamlin to stay until he familiarizes him
sell with import tant matters now pending
The War Department..
Secretary Alger was in his office in the
War Department nearly all day, but was
able to do scarcely anything but shake
fands with the throng of friends who
called to extend congratuiat He was
assisted in this reception by Mr.. Victor
Mason, who is temporarily acting as his
private secretary. No one has yet been
appointed as assistant secretary of war,
but 1t Is believed that selection will he
made very soon. The choice is said to lie
between Colonel Hopkins, ex-Representa-
tive Curtis and Mr.. Tweedale chief clerk
of the department.
Callers at the Navy Department..
Secretary Long had large number CT
callers, but seemed TO have more time for
the business of the department than his
colleagues. He filed the vacancy in The
office of chief clerk, caused by the resigna-
tion of Mr.. Micou, by the appointment of
Mr.. Peters, and took personal charge Of
the official mail for the day. He also re-
qIested Assistant Secretary McAdoo to
continue in office at least until the 18th
instant, as it was not likely that his sue
cessor would be chosen Immediately.
In order to relieve the Secretary of any
possible embarrassment in the matter, Mr..
McAdoo consented to remain until his sue
cessor was chosen and ready to qualify
There appears to be big fight for this as
sistant secretaryship. and it is said that
the President has left the selection to Sec
retary Long. Among the alleged candi-
dates for this appointment are Admiral
Walker. who retires on the 2Dth instant:
Mr.. Jaques who is at the head Of the New
Jersey naval militia: Mr.. Elliot of Indiana:
NIL ItOUeTtSoH ol 1eHHSylVdnla, q MEM
Der of the House naval committee, and
Mr.. Raymond Of Pennsylvania, formerly
private secretary to Secretary Tracy. With
the exception of Admiral Walker and Mr..
Raymond all the gentlemen named were
formerly in the naval service and It is
said that Secretary Long is disinclined to
recommend them on that ground alone
The same objection may be found to Ad-
miral Walker.
The impression prevails that Mr.. Ray
mond may be eventually selected as a
compromise candidate. Senator Allison is
said to be urging the appointment of Ad-
miral Walker.
Mr.. Lewis J. Finney, who was ex-Secre-
tary Herbert's private secretary has been
reappointed as private secretary to Seere-
tary Long. Among the many Congress-
men who called on the latter today was
Senator Gorman who has been stranger
In the executive departments of late years.
Interior and Post once.
The greatest place in town today has been
the Post Office Department. The usual
rush of ,ffice-seekers is mcnstrously con-
spicuous by its absence. A handful of
senators and representatives called to pay
their respects to the new Postmaster Gen-