The times., 1897-03-31
0ficeSeekers Kept Away From
Mr.. Mckinley Yesterday.
HELP FOR FLOOD SUFFERERS
Two Men Who Have Refused to Be
Assistant Secretary of War-The
Ever With Horseback Riding-PeO-
pie Who Called.

1
alike are beginning to respect Cabinet
days, and the White House consequently
wore a deserted look
The members of the Cabinet he
gan to arrive shortly after IL O'Clock
and were At once ushered INTO the room
where all private discussions of state take
place. All OF the Presidents Official fam
| lily Were present at the meeting, which
lasted scarcely an hour,
The mostimportant matter discussed was
relative 10 the relief OF the Mississippi
| flood sufferers. secretary Alger reported
that the War Department was doing
everything in its power TO aid the unfOr-
tunaues swhosepropcr5yha had been devastated
| by the waters.
He also informed the President
! however, that the amount of money
! at his disposal was insufficient to meet
the demands, and asked that a special
amount should be speedily appropriated by
| Congress for the relief OF the sufferers,
Many Western Senators and RepreScn-
! tatiyes have called at the War Depart
ment during the past few days, and urged
| that Immediate action be taken 1t is
thought that Secretary Ayers recommen-
dation was based upon these suggestions
One OF the most notable visitors
at the White House yeSter was
eN-RepreSentative Draper, of MasSa-
chUsettS, who is slated as ambassador TO
Italy. Mr.. Draper was one of the few
people that called who succeeded in see
ing the President. The general impress
sion is that Mr Draper's appointment has
already been decided upon, and that his
nomination will he forwarded to the SEN
ate in a few days.
The most important bit Of political news
that developed during the day was that
John l. Webster, of Nebraska, was offered
and refused the position of Assistant Sec
retary OF War The position was offered
to Mr. Webster by Senator ThurSton on
Saturday. The only explanation that Mr..
Webster gives for his refusal is that he
didn't want the place. The position is
considered as next to a Cabinet place and
pays 81, 500 a year.
1t was also offered by wire to Gen.
Gown, but he was on his way TO Washing
ton from omaha, Ncbr., on legal business,
and declined it as soon as he reached the
Capital. and had a conference with Sena-
tor Thurston. An effort is now being
made to get the position for eN-CongTess-
man Mcikle John; hut the President, now
that his personal friends in Omaha VIII
not take it, insist that it shall go to some
one who has been a soldier
John ]. McCook, who, it is said, the
President favored with the offers Of three
different Cabinet positions, also sought
an interview with Mr.. Mckinley.
Gen. Powell Clayton, of Arkansas, who
was lately appointed minister to Mexico,
also saw the President for few mo-
ments. Gen. Clayton's call was in the in
erestcfseveraI A rla nsanswho are anxious
to secure State appointments.
A Il. steele, OF New York, who is on
the committee of arrangements for the
Grant faununent celebra tiOn on April 27.
is in the city for the purpose of making
preparations for the visit TO New York on
that date of the President and mis- Cabi-
net. Mr Steele conferred with Secretary
Porter and several members Of the Cabi-
net at the White House in regard to the
matter.
President Mckinley, accompanied by his
entire Cabinet, Will leave here on the
afternoon of April 26, and will arrive
in New York that evening. The distn-
Immediately after the conclusion of the
parade. Itis barely possible that Mrs. Nc
Kinley viii accompany the President, but
her health may compel her to abandon the
trip.
Col Myron NJ. Parker called at the
White House yesterday, but did not see the
President Col. Parker said that he was
not 4 candidate for the District Marshal
II . "a. .
dered, rather than see it go to an outside
man.
Hon. Pat McCaull, a well-known poll
ticiaa of the Eighth Virginia Congressional
district was another visitor to fail to see
Mr Mckinley Yardley I. Brown, of Ham
iltou, Va, editor of the Loudoun Telephone
the only RepubIicannewsp in Tide water
Virginia, called TO pay his respects.
Assistant Secretary Of tate Rockhill
saw the President for a few moments be-
fore the Cabinet meeting.
Col Buck, the Republican Warwick of
Georgia, made an attempt to see the
President, for the purpose OF urging several
appointments, but was unsuec essful in
making his wants known. Col. Buck is |
prominently ment ioned as a candidate for |
minister to Japan, and it is said stands u
good chance to secure the position.
Mrs. Mckinley went for her usual morn |
ing drive shortly after 10 O'Clock. She /
was accompanied by Mrs. SaNton, who at |
the present time is making her home at the |
White House The President is so much |
infatuated with horseback riding that |
be tried the new exercise again yesterday |
afternoon. He was accompanied, as usual,
by Gen. Nelson A. Miles, L. S. A, and Sec
retary Porter. The pair of horses recently |
purchased for the President in Chic are
now on their way to this city and are
expected to arrive here tomorrow night
They will at once be taken to the White
House stables. tits said that Mr. Mckinley |
Will drive his new pair tandem. The Pres
ident lunched with Mrs. Mckinley at ]
O'Clock and gave orders TO Secretary
Porter to admit no visitors until after his
regular hour for receiving.
Merritt to Succeed Ruger.
The Secretary of War has directed that