The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-06
Senator Fairbanks Fortunate in Sc
curing "a Fairly Good Seat on the
Right Side OF the Hall.
INDIANA OFFICE SEEKERS
w. III. ELLIOTT CONFIDENT OF AS
sIsTING SECRETARY LONG.
DIR. Holmes, of Terre Hautc, After the
Danish Mission-CoI. Williams 40
BE Bedford's Postmaster.
,ecial 10 the Indiananolis Iournal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March Sit will be sew
eral days before President Mckinley gets
his official house in smooth running order.
Just now everything is in apparent chaos.
The passing of the old and the incoming OF
the new administration is always attended
by more or less disorder. and this is. OF
course, no exception to the rule. The White
House to-day was invaded by great crowd
of people who had imperative demands on
the time of the new President. and they
would not be put aside. In some way the
impression has gone out that President Nc
Kinley is not i'm entire sympathy with the
civil-service law as il is now administered,
and that he will find a way TO loosen up
things and make way for the spoilsmen.
There is nothing in anything he has said
or done throughout his political career to
warrant any such assumption On the con-
trary. he is committed TO the merit system,
and he has declared time and again that he
would adhere strictly to the provisions OF
the law Because some influential men In
public affairs who close to him have
taken a stand i'm opposition TO that of the
President in this regard the spoilsmen have
jumped to the conclusion that they were
voicing the views of the President. This Is
entirely speculative or their part, and the
conclusion is in all probability a mistaken
one. 1t will take time, however to dem
onstrate this. and meantime a hundred ap-
plicants for every position in sight will have
TO live and learn.
Comment on the present inaugural ad-
dress is favorable in the main. 1t is clearly
apparent that MIR. Mckinley assgs4s sksssg
office of President with the good wishes OF
the country. The long and trying period
of depression through which the people
have gone makes everybody. regardless OF
politics. feel that they would like to see a
change for the better and 10 be earnest in
the hope that the incoming OF the new ad-
ministration will be the beginning OF an
era of good times. Everybody has read the
address and very little il heard in criticism
of it. Assurance is given TO the business
world that the influence of the President
will be exerted along conservative lines,
both domestic and foreign. and that is what
is needed.
In the assignment of seats TO the new
senators MIR. Fairbanks is placed on the
extreme right, a seat previously occupied
by Brown. OF Utah. In front OF him is
Mason, the junior member from Illinois.
and in front of Mason sits Platt. of New
York. At Fairbanks's left is Wellington, OF
Maryland, and in the immediate neighbor-
hood are Chandler, Wolcott and wetmore.
The grouping is altogether agreeable.
When Senator Fairbanks entered the Sem
ate chamber to-day he was somewhat
startled that his desk was literally hidden
from sight under load OF floral offerings.
A splendid basket of flowers from Wash
ington friends and a handsome floral
piece from Fred Fahnley and Henry Wet
zel, of Indianapolis. were conspicuous for
their beauty Senator Fairbanks divided
honors with Senators Platt and Spooner
in the wealth and beauty OF the floral re-
memberances. He has been generally felici-
tated by his colleagues to-day on the re-
entry of a Republican for Indiana, so long
represented by two Democrats.
The new senator's have not yet been
given their committee assignments. a mat
ter which will be arranged later on by
Republican caucus or by the joint action
of the caucus of the four parties into
which the Senate is now divided. At the
present time the straight-out Republicans
are in a minority as ranged against the
combined opposition. but they were also
in a minority when given 9mmittee chair
manships two years ago. What viii be
done by the Republicans i'm the matter OF
continued control and complete reorganiza-
ton resolves itself down to the simple
proposition. What can they dO?' IL can
be depended upon that they Will take prac-
tically entire possession OF committee and
clerical management IL they do so. IL
they can't there is disposition among
the leaders to compel a more marked dis
tribution of responsibility than now sp-
pears to the superficial view. Mere nominal
control is unsatisfactory frora every point
of view.
VIII II. Elliott. of New Castle, thinks to-
night that the prospect is good for secur-
ing the position of assistant secretary OF
the navy His intimate acquaintance with
naval matters has impressed the executive
with his excellent qualifications for the
place.
DR.. Holmes, of Terre Haute feels that
he has more than fighting show for the
Danish mission and Is here prosecuting his
claims TO-. appointment with vigor. The
| doctors strongest support comes from cut
| side of the State and IL is understood that
! he complains OF apathy IN the local quar-
ter Nigo Republicans do not appear 10 be-
| pressing his application with that bound
| less energy that ne could desire. Neverthe-
less the doctor will insist on being hope
full until he sees good reason 10 feel
| otherwise.
Harry c. Adams. of indianapolis. notes
with pleasure the cordaiity with which he
| is greeted when he runs across Indiana
| congressman. He gave IL out on arrival
| that he did not want any office for him
self and would ask nothing for his friends.
His society is therefore welcome every
where in the political iniield.
Col. w. r. Holloway is conducting an
| independent candidacy FOR good consular
position. Whatever ambition he may have