The times., 1897-07-17
CLERKS ARE MADE HAPPY.
Cabinet Decides to Close Depart
EneDts at 8 O'clock.


The slIorter-hour Saturday advocates
among the heads of departments Won at
tie Cabinet meeting yesterday, the decision
being reached before adjournment that all
The departments are To close at s O'Clock
Saturdays during July and August. This
decision Will probably he acquiesced in by
the heads OF the various commissions noJ
directly under any department and BY sir
McKinleyfor the clerks at the White House.
Twelve O'Clock as the hour of closing WAS
a. fist contended for by one and possibly
TWO oi the CahInet, but this idea was over
ruieG
There was nothing of large Importance
III the Cabinet meeting There was ii brief
talk over Secretary Sherman's letter n
the Bering Sea natter Departmental uf-
fairs occupied large part OF the time
The Cabinet decided to recommend 10
the President, for the Nicaraguan Canal
Commission, the appointment OF Rear Ad-
Inirai John G Walker, L. S. N Capt o.
u Carter. Corps OF Engineers, u S. a .and
Prof. Haupt, of the University OF Penn
sylvania The two officers We're de-
cided upon, but until the President is
informed by the professor that he Will
accept the appointment it will not be
made. The commission is appointed in
accordance with an act of Congress passed
at the last sesson
1t was also directed to appoint at an
early date the commission for the deep
water canal from the Great Lakes TO the
Atlantic ocean
Befere the meeting of the Cabinet Sena-
tor John X Jones had a long talk with the
President concerning the tariff Pc de-
nounced the action OF the Senate Cuuferees
iii allowing the House cunferees to put
burlaps cotton ties and cotton baggng
back again on the dutiable list, and eau
toned the Pre- sident that ths action would
result In bitter fight
He said that Democrats in the Senate had
today teiegraphed the governor OF Ten
nessee to Immediately appoint successor
TO senator Harris, for All additional Demo
cratic Senator is needed to fight this sec
ton Of the tariff bill.
Senator Fairbanks had a short talk
with the President concerning appoint
ments, and so did Senators Thurston and
Penrose. Senator Sewell called in Tela-
tion to New Jersey patronage and Senator
Proctor talked with the President over
an appointment he wants for oonstitu-
MIA visited the resident with Or. Edward
BeCiIue The latter wants con sular
appointment. He received but little en-
couIagemeur, for the President viii not
make any ouSUlarnoniin atoms during
the present session of Congress.
Julius Goldsmith, accompanied by Sena
tor Spooner, made d brief call, during Which
Mt Goldsmith thanked the President foi
appointing hin consul general to Berlin
Minister Woodford saw the President
ana it is understood they discussed the
reported coalition of Spain and Japan, and
that Gen Woodfo1d sought information
regarding this matter He apparently re-
ga1ds the report in a very serious light
| and probably has information from the
State Department which warrants him In
being much concerned In the report Gen.
W9odfoId declined to talk for publication
about the reported alliance or OF his visit
20 the Presideut.
There was notable absence o. GffiCe-
seekers at the White House, but some cf
the old-tiners were on hand Just as they
| have been for mure than four months. AS
| one OF them said:
We come here now because it IS force
| Of habit, ard more pleasant than occupying
benches in the parks