The evening times., 1897-03-13
WOMEN BALK POLITICIANS
They May Defeat Merriam's and
StOPer's Ambition.
RESULT OF SOCIAL TROUBLE
The ex-Governor's Wife and Mrs.
Cushman K. Davis Are Enemies,
and the Latter's Husband Has
Used His Influence Against the
MinnesOtan.

| The part that women play in politics
| is shown by the current report tha ex- GOV
| Merriam OF Minnesota will not be the new
| ambass ssador to Germany because his wife
| and the wife of Senator Davis are at
daggers points. Ex-Congressman Beilamy
Storer OF Ohio may not be the new Assist
ant Secretary u State. His wife and the
wife of Senator Foraker are not friendly
|. MIR. Merriam has Withdrawn has maine
from the list OF candidates for diplo-
matte honors, and has gone back to ST.
Paul, to devote himself to his private
affairs. Mr.. Mckinley was very anx ious
to appoint him ambassador to Germany
and had fully made up his mind TO do 30.
An unexpected obstacle, however, aIose
in the person OF Senator Davis, the chair
man OF the Senate Committee ON Foreign
Relations, and the President was forced
to choose between antagonizing Ills in
fluence in the Senate and disappointing Mr..
Merriam. He candidly explained the situa-
en- to the former governor, VINO did not
hesitate to relieve him from his embarrass-
mcnt.
The enmity between Mrs. Davis and Mrs
Merriam is said to have been caused by
the refusal of Mrs Merriam to call upon
the Senator's wife at her st. Paul home, or
to acknowledge her existence by the small
est courtesy.
The situation naturally in time in
volved the husbands, notwithstanding their
strong previous political friendship. 80
hitter did their antagonism become that
it is said Mr.. Merriam spent $40, ,oo0 in
an Intellectual attempt to defeat Senator
Davis for reelection.
When Mr. Mckinley was elected Presi-
dent, former Congressman Storer, who Was
rich and ambitious asplred to be member
of the Cabinet. This, he was promptly
told, was out Of the question. He then
asked for the consul generalship TO Paris,
but that had been promised To James K.
Gowdy, of Indiana.
IT was finally suggested to him thai he
take the Assistant Secretaryship OF
State, and this he eventually accepted.
He did not imagine that there would he
the slightest opposition, and the Presi-
dent was evidently OF the same opinion.
When Senator Foraker announced his
displeasure it was regarded as only tenn
porary. Then it became known that Mr..
Foraker considered the proposed appoint
ment as a personal matter. lie did not
speak to Mr.. Storer, and the wives of tie
two gentlemen were bitterly estranged.
The difficulties between the two poll
ticians originated in a lawsuit and the
breach was never healed.
The President fancied that he could
placate Senator Foraker, but when SEN
ator Hanna called upon him aud pro-
tested against the selection OF MIR. StOrer
the matter assumed an unexpected seri-
business
Mr. Hanna had come to Mr.. $Oraker's
assistance because It was absolutely necPs-
sary that he should have the aid of the
senator in securing the election from the
legislature next winter. Messrs. Foraker
and Hanna. no weyer, announced their will
ingness to have Mr.. Storer sent abroad.
The Presidents discontinue was COM
pleted when Senator Proctor and other
wheel-horses called and inveighed against
Mr. StoreT's appointment, and he was
waveriug in his allegiance when Thomas
McDougall, OF Cincinnati, arrived yesteT-
day. He is considered one OF the PTesi-
dents most intimate friends, and Nj.
Storer is his prUtege
He visited the President and told him in
reasonably vigorous language that Mr.
Storer must not be sacrificed 70 please the
whiius of either Senator Foraker or Senator
Hanna