Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-03-22
LOST IN THE DEAL.
The Place That Was Wanted bv
Colonel Otis.
PREsDEHrs FRIEND GETS LEFT

Has . Man I'm the Cabinet-Heury G..
Payne Also Vigorous Talk
n the House-"Champr Clark Turns
Himself Loose-Holman Of Indiana EN-
barrassed by Questions.
Washington. March 22.-Colonel Har-
rison Gray Otis, Of California, will not
be assistant secretary Of war. This con-
clusion was reached after a conversation
In the cabinet room between the presi-
dent. Secretary Of War Alger and
Colonel Otis The decision was reached
not because Colonel Otis was opposed by
the International typographical union
nor because he would have been unaccept-
able to Secretary Alger, but because Of
his geographical location. Had Colonel
egon. Idaho, Nevada-any state in fact
that is not represented in President Nc
Kinley's cabinet-he would probably
have been appointed to succeed Joseph
Il. Doe. the present assistant secretary
OF war, whose resignation has already
been accepted. Colonel Otis was Secre-
tary Ayers second choice for the place,
his first being a man from Michigan
whom the secretary asked the president
as personal favor to appoint. Presi-
dent Mckinley informed Secretary AL
ger that he would be very glad to honor
the request, but he could not consistent
ly do so, as it would not do to give too
much prominence to one state.
Was n Strong Ally in the Campaign.
Colonel Otis is personal friend of the
president. They served together in the
TWenty-third Ohio regiment in the civil
war, and in later years became fast
friends. Several Tins within the past
few years Colonel Otis has visited Pres
ident Mckinley at his Canton home.
When the fight for delegates was being
made in California Otis succeeded in
capturing several delegates for Major
Mckinley, and later in the campaign.
after the ST. Louis convention. he
worked earnestly for Mckinley and the
Republican ticket. Major Mckinley
when elected, extended an invitation to
Colonel Otis to call at Canton, which he
did some weeks before the president
came on to Washington. At that time
Colonel Otis indicated desire to be as
sistant secretary of war. saying that the
place would be acceptable to him, and
that he thought he would prove a good
assistant in view of his military train
ing.
But the Colonel Got Left.
Later Major Mckinley requested
Colonel Otis to be in Washington short
ly after Inauguration. He came on here
week ago and had been here since. If
the appointment had been made it
ment of the president, although Colonel
Otis was strongly backed by the Repub-
lican members Of the California delega-
ton. Just before leaving the president
the consulship at Calcutta was offered
Colonel Otis. This he politely refused,
saying that it would take him abroad
where he could not give close attention
TO his private business. Colonel Otis has
left for California via New York,
Another man who has failed to obtain
satisfactory place is Henry c. Payne,
OF Milwaukee. He was offered several
positions abroad, but declined them all.
desiring one at home, as he could not be
contented or happy outside of the Unit
ed states, as he says. His hope now is
to succeed John Mitchell in the United
states senate, and he will be candidate
for that office.
Who Will Name the Postmasters.
Postmaster General Gary will con-
tinue the old policy as to distributing
patronage of the postoffices and he an
nOunces to the Associated Press that he
will not deviate from the practice fol-
lowed by past administrations. This
as general rule gives to every senator
the privilege Of recommending a post
master for his home postoffice, and al
lots to each Republican senator the
largest postoffices in his district, the
representative naming the balance. The
congressional delegations will have to
keep themselves posted as to the dates
OF expiration OF terms Of postmasters,
as the old custom of the department of
sending notice to senators and repre-
sentatives of expirations of postmasters'
commissions. which was stopped by
Postmaster Bissell, will not be resumed.
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