The herald., 1897-03-22

senators have propositions which they
are anxious to see enacted into law,
and they may forego this chance of get
ting them through. The Democratic
leaders consider 1t wise policy to hold
the appropriation bills up until the Re-
publican policy of the senate with refer
ence to the tariff is developed.
Senator Allison, chairman of the ap-
preparations committee, will exert him
self to secure speedy consideration of
the bills. There is little prospect of COM
mittee work until the committee va
cancies are filled. The two sides of the
chamber are holding out against each
other and contending concessions which
the other refuse to make.
The Democrats insist on being allowed
to fill the places vacated by retirement
by Democratic senators, while the Re
publicans contend the Silver Republ-
cans and Populists should be charged
to the Democrats. Upon the adjust
ment of this difference the whole mat
ter depends. Some way out of the diff
Guilty ultimately will be found, but the
opening has not yet presented itself.
THE REASON GIVEN.
WASHINGTON, March 21-Col. Har-
rison Gray Otis of California will not be
assistant secretary of war. This con-
clusion was reached after a consulta-
ton in the cabinet room between the
president, Secretary of War Alger and
Col. Otis. The decision was reached,
not because Col. Otis was opposed by
the International Typographical union
and not because he would have been
unacceptable to Secretary Alger. but
because of his geographical location.
Had Col Otis been resident of Wash
ington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, any
other state in fact that is not represent
ed in President McKinley's cabinet, he
would probably have been appointed to
succeed John B. Doe, the ex-first assist
ant secretary of war, whose resignation
has already been accepted. Col. Otis
was Secretary Alger's second choice for
the place. his first being man from
Michigan, whom the secretary asked the
president as personal favor to appoint.
President Mckinley informed Secretary
Alger that he would be very glad to honor
the request, Oul HC COolI ilOl SOhSioeS
ly do so, as it would not do to give too
much prominence to one state.
Col. Otis is personal friend of the
president. They served together in the
Twenty-third Ohio regiment in the civil
war and in later years they were fast
friends. Several times within the past
few years Col. Otis has visited President
Mckinley at his Canton home. When
the fight for delegates was being made
in California, Col. Otis succeeded in cap
turing several delegates for Major Nc
Kin1ey and later in the campaign, after
the ST. Louis convention, he worked
earnestly for Mckinley and the Repub
lican ticket
Major Mckinley, when elected, ex-
tended an invitation to Col. Otis to call
at Canton, which he did some weeks be-
fore the president came on to Washing
ton. At that time the colonel indicated
desire to be assistant secretary of war,
saying that the place would be accept
able to him and that he thought he would
prove a good assistant in view of his
previous military training. Later the
president requested Col. Otis to be in
Washington shortly after the inaugura-
ton. He came on here week ago and
has been here since. If the appointment
hadl been made it would have been as
personal appointment Of the presidents.
although Col. Otis was strongly backed
by the Republican members of the Call
fornia delegation.
Just before leaving the president. the
consulship to Calcutta was offered Col.
Otis. This he politely refused. saying
that it would take him abroad, where he
could not give close attention to his pri-
vate business. Col. Otis left for Calf
fornia for New York last night.