The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-29
Definite Announcement Made by the
ChicagOan Last Night Before His
Departure from Canton.
CONFERENCE WITH M'KINl.EY
AT WHICH THE PORTFOLIO WAS
TENDERED AND ACCEPTED.
His appointment Regarded as an Ex-
pertinent by Politicians at WASH
ingtOn-Mr. Cages Career.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
CANTON, o., Jan. 2S.-Lyman J. Gage.
president of the First National Bank of
Chicago. will become member of Presi-
dent-eect McKinley's official family on
March 4. This makes two members of the
next Cabinet who have been definitely de-
cided on. They are:
Secretary of State-JOHN SHERMAN
GAGE.
Mr.. Gage arrived in Canton this after
noon at 2:4O o'clock, having been called
here by Major Mckinley. The President
elect and his prospective secretary of the
treasury were together until 7:30 this even
ing. and it is presumed that during the
long conference the Chicagoan's position
on certain public questions and Republican
policies were thoroughly discussed and ex-
planned satisfactorily to Major Mckinley,
for soon after the conference Mr.. Gage
said to your correspondent:
MIR. Mckinley offered me the treasury
portfolio l told him l would accept the
high honor and I'LL the position TO the best
of my ability.
This announcement was made in the
office library at the Mckinley residence.
Beyond the mere statement given above
Mr.. Gage had little to say. He declined
to discuss any feature of the policy of the
incoming administration or to discuss any
matter other than that relating to him
self. He said there was no ground for the
publication that he was a gold Democrat
during the campaign, and he asserted that
his only utilization with the Deomarctc par
ty was In 1884, when he voted for Cleveland.
He also said that he and Major Mckinley
substantially agreed on the tariff question.
After the conference this afternoon din
ner was served. Besides Mr.. Gage there
were present National Committeeman Le-
land, of Kansas; Ex-Governor Cornell and
Col j. J. McCook, of New York, the lat
ter a leading attorney: w. c. Beer, of the
National Security Company of New York,
and General Osborne, the secretary of the
national committee. After dining the par
ty chatted for time. 1t was evident that
the public announcement of the settlement
of the treasury portfolio was regarded as
the conclusion of a good days work Col.
McCook spoke tonight most highly of the
estimate of Mr.. Gage in the East and of
his recognized ability in business and COM
mercial circles all over the country.
One of the considerations for congratula
ton here is Mr.. Cages genial nature and
frankness of speech. 1t was expected this
morning that the announcement of the ten
-
folio would be made tonight, and Mr.
Gage was met at the depot by the re-
porters to whom he politely declined to
talk. Afterwards at the Mckinley home he
said at dusk there was nothing TO an
nounce but he would talk later He made
the first announcement in the few words
given above in the presence of Mr.. Nc
Kinley in the sitting ROOM He then stepped
across the hall, where a score of special
correspondents awaited him, and repeated
his terse statement and was a second time
warmly congratulated on the announce
ment Mr.. Gage left for Chicago at 9:27
o'clock.
Governor Cornell said tonight that he
was glad the country was to have a Sec
retary of the treasury who will have
learned his trade before he enters upon
the duties of his Office.
Especial congratulation is believed here
to be due to the fact of Mr.. Cages pop
ularity with the people. who respect him
much, though they have differed with him
politically. The expressions of regard for
him by workingmen in Chicago interviews
are believed TO be largely due to the fact
that he has often met with them and joined
In discussion of public questions and polit-
ical matters, having entered in club discus
sion with persons noted in the troubles
of the Chicago Anarchists.