The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-07
While d. w. Hess, 1t Is Reported, Is
dianapolis POstOffice Plum.
GOOD PLACE FOR Mr.. HEATH
MAY SUCCEED ASSISTANT sECRE-
TARY CURTIS, OF THE TREASURY.
Speaker Reed Loyal to Mckinley and
His Party-The President
Great HarmOnizer.
,cial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The Repub-
lican representatives in Congress from In
diana met this afternoon and this even
ing in Senator Fairbankss rooms, at the
Ebbitt House, and held protracted discus
sions on general matters and also on the
details of the Indiana patronage problem.
No programme or arrangement was entered
into relative TO the distribution and allot-
ment of Offices or struggle for places on
the broad map of departmental and diplo-
matte service, but there was an extended
and cordial interchange of information and
opinions. The underlying purpose of get
ting as much as possible, quietly and with
out friction, early developed and it was
said by several of those in attendance that
Indiana members were never freer
from jealousies and cross purposes and in
better fighting shape. They have formed
a strong. compact organization. offensive
and defensive. Where more than one dis
trict have candidates for the same office. IL
must be friendly contest between them to
find out which is the strongest before the
delegation can be expected to show a lea1-
ing Senator Fairbanks has. by common
consent, been given the position oflead er and
he will doubtless be called on TO act as gen.
eral umpire and arbiter in contests between
representatives and candidates. The men,
bers one and all expressed a warm regard
for the senator and unbounded confidence
in his fairness. sound Judgment and polit-
cal sense. From present appearances the
Indiana delegation will be model of good
order, harmony and effective working or
ganization.
There has been 40 ohieial announcement
0f oIa of fada offices for Indi-
ana. but it is perfectly safe to assume that
A. w. Wishard will be appointed United
States district attorney and Samuel E. Ker-
cheval, of Rockport. United States marshal.
and that they will be named by the Presi-
dent in the very near future. The terms of
the present incumbents both expire on the
10Th of this month, and Messrs. Wishard
and Kercheval will not keep the gentlemen
now holding the offices waiting a minute.
Slips between the cup and the lip have
been known in politics, but unless some
thing unforeseen should occur j. w. Hess
will secure the Indianapolis postoffice plum.
That seems to be regarded by Indanians
here as a practically settled proposition.
Captain w. NJ Meredith formerly of In
dianapolis, and now Of Chicago. is here
working for his old position-that of chief
of the bureau of engraving and printing.
1t is understood that Secretary Carlisle's
one personal request Of Secretary Gage
was TO retain the present chief, Claude
Johnson, and the latter expects to stay.
Johnson Is Kentuckian and voted for
Mckinley last fall, although up to that
time radical Democrat. Captain Mere
dith makes application under Section OF
the civi-service rules, which provide for
the reappointment of old soldiers to any
governmental position they may have held
without civil-service examination. If it Is
decided to make change, Meredith Will
stand at the very head of the eligibles.
His strategic position is therefore a strong
one.
1t is understood. TO be the purpose Of
President Mckinley to make as many OF
the important appointments at his disposal
as he can during the next sixty or ninety
days. OF course commissions for thou
sands of offices connected with the internal
machinery OF the government will be con-
tinually expiring during the four years of
his term but il Is said that he has made
up his mind to get rid of the heavy pressure
of Office seekers as early in the administra-
tion as possible, leaving for future attention
only such as come up i'm regular routine
order. The important diplomatic appoint
ments will probably come first, it being
deemed advisable to get that part of the
administrative force in working order at
the earliest moment.
Russell B. Harrison, son of ex-President
Harrison. called on President Mckinley to-
day to pay his respects. He was cordially
received by Mr.. Mckinley and remained at
the White House for quite a time. Mr..
Harrison leaves for New York tomorrow,
and expects to be in Terre Haute about the
middle Of the week. Mr.. Harrison has been
the recipient of considerable attention dur
ing his brief stay in Washington. He came
TO take part I'm the inaugural ceremonies
by special invitation Of the inaugural COM
mittee, and he, in association with the sons
of Presidents Grant. Hayes. Garfield and
Arthur, created quite a sensation. No such
aggregation of scions of Presidents has
ever been seen in Washington or any city.
The Washington Post to-day devotes
column and a half to the sons of Presi-
dents. They have been much sought after
in social way.