The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-13

the services. of Mr.. Allison. have heard
that no begged for long time, and finally
not openly, but indirectly; but
to no purpose. Now Senator Allison de-
clines to be Mr.. McKinley's secretary of
state. Four declinations, three of one cab
met post and ono Of another, is believed
to be the record.
Allison's Popularity.
Senator Allison friends almost unani-
mously uphold his decision as WISE He
occupies a unique and enviable place in the
senate He is the lender of the Republican
side, and rs that leader has more influence
than he could have even in the great Office
Of secretary of the treasury or secretary of
state In addition to being the Republican
leader, MIR. Allison is perhaps the most
popular man in congress. He Is almost
wholly without enemies, and every one
delights to be considered his friend. His
lines have indeed fallen in pleasant places.
His career as public man is almost ideal,
and he naturally is unwilling to change it
for ills which he knows not Of.
Governor Dingley's declination of the
treasury department was genuine surprise
in Washington and throughout the coun-
try. MIR. Dingley had been generally
looked upon as the coming secretary of the
treasury. 1t was we'll known here that
President Elect Mckinley had turned to
him as first choice. Major Mckinley and
Governor Dingley had been warm friends
In congress, and scarcely any one doubted
that the invitation, given with so much
good feeling and earnestness, would be re-
sponded to with an acceptance. At one
time Governor Dingley was strongly mind
ed to accept, but he was ultimately led to
contrary conclusion through various con-
siderations
Governor Dingley's Views.
Among these Is one of his temperamental
peculiarities. Governor. Dingley Is pecul-
lar In that he has strong repugnance to
assuming responsibility for any branch of
work which he cannot personally know
the details Of. Since Governor Mckinley
offered him the secretaryship of the treas
ury he has looked very carefully into the
details of the department, and he has had
confirmed in striking way his original
opipion as to the duties of that great Office.
| He has convinced himself, for instance,
| that as secretary of the treasury 1t would
be absolutely necessary for him TO sign
thousands of letters, hundreds OF orders
and important documents, without any
thing more than general knowledge Oh
their contents. Every secretary OF th'
! treasury has to do this.
"Why," said Governor Dingley to me II
discussing this phase of the matter, III
were secretary of the treasury, shouio
consider 1t my bounden duty to know
what was going on in the bureau of EN-
craving and printing and other great bu
reaus of the department., for when
should be held responsible. 1 know mysel
too we'll to overlook the fact that l coult
not sleep of nights unless paid periodical
! visits to that bureau to see how matter
were coming on. AS with the bureau
engraving and printing, where ] 900 mel
are employed, so with other branches
the great treasury department.. III wer
10 undertake to meet the responslbilltle
of that office in the way which my consci
ence and methods should dictate, woul'
kill myself. could not endure tho strain
NV health is fairly good, but L could no
stand that. / work hard in congress an
IN the committee on ways and means Bu
there know just what am doing. q
not have to take other peoples word 10
things. 1t is all within my own control
I assume responsibility for my own act
alone"
Two Overloaded Departments.
Governor Dingley went on to point on
To me that the treasury Is too big n depar'
ment for any one man to manage. Inc II
spopsibility is too great. The departmen
has boen loaded with all sorts of things u
| 10 nt1n half