Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-25
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The President Had Only a Few
Visitors.
BUSILY OCCUPIED ALL THE DAY
Conferring With Senator P|att Over
New York Appointments.
SELECTION FOR COLLECTOR

PRESIDENT Mckinley had only q few vis-
itors today, but he was busily occupied
all the time. There was an absence of
the usual gathering of office seekers, due
undoubtedly to their knowledge that 1t
was cabinet day. Most of that class of
visitors thronged the corridors of the State
Department, awaiting an audience with
Assistant Secretary Day. Despite repeat
ed statements to the contrary, the impress
sion prevails that the President has the
subject of consular appointments under
serious consideration, and that he has ask
ed Assistant Secretary Day to assist him
in making the selections. Whether there
Is any foundation for the belief or not, the
fact remains that the legion of applicants
for such places are showing unusual ac-
tivity just at present and are leaving no
effort undone that might possibly contrib
ute to their success.
BesieEinE Assistant Secretary Day.
The tip has gone out that they waste
their time in seeking personal interview
with the President, for the reason that
he will be guided mainly by the recon-
| mendat tions Of Assistant Secretary Day
Consequently, the latter is now being sub
jected to the opportunities of the host of
candidates, and the President is corre-
spondingly relieved. Secretary Sherman
has declined to have anything to do with
changes i'll the consular service, and Is de-
voting his time entirely to the considera-
tion of the purely diplomatic business of
the department.
Up to the time of the assembling of the
cabinet-1 o oclock-the President was en-
gagged in separate conferences with Senator
Platt of New York, Senator Elkins of
West Virginia, Senator Wilson of Oregon,
ex-senator Brown of Utah and Represen-
toff Of 1vf-
Cheatham was also caller, but he re-
mained only few minutes.
The New York kAppOfnfments.
Senator Platt's visit was of Importance
to his New York constituency, as it related
to the federal appointments in the empire
state. While it is understood that he
argued in favor of certain candidates for
the various offices still filled by democrats,
his principal efforts were devoted to Sc
curing the appointment of his man to the
collectorship, vacated by the death Of Mr..
kilbreth. That his efforts were not alto
gether unavailing is manifest by the
straight tip circulated this afternoon that
the President has decided to follow his ad-
vice in regard to the collectorship, and to
make the nomination within the next few
days. Other changes in the federal offices
in New York are also looked for in the near
future as a result of the earnest endeavors
of Senator Platt.
Commissioner Calhoun Calls.
Another early caller was Mr.. Calhoun,
the Presidents special commissioner to
Cuba to investigate the Ruiz case. He is
about to return to his home in Danville,
ILL.,, and called to see If the President had
any further suggestions for him before he
left. After a short talk with Secretary
Porter he concluded that there was no ne
cessity of seeing the President. The date
of his return to Washington will depend
upon his decision in the matter of the con-
trollership of the treasury. When the
President first rendered him the appoint
ment he declined it. but he was urged to
reconsider his decision. The office is one
OF great responsibility, and the salary is
1t altogether, and the belief is current that
he will adhere to his original dec,ination.
He has large law practice, which he does
not care to surrender for an office of un-
certain tenure, and there are certain condi-
tions attached to the appointment which
he says require careful consideration be-
fore he can decide enc way or the other.
He says he desires to consult personally
with his business associates at Danville
before finally announcing his conclusion.
He has arranged to notify the President
by wire SO that in the event Of his declina-
tion there may be no unnecessary delay in
making the appointment. Judge Bowler.
the incumbent Of the Office, has arranged
to leave for Europe early in July.
National Committeeman Chas. q. Dawes
of Illinois is in the city. While here, it is
said. he will endeavor to impress upon
President Mckinley the appointment of
Ferdinand w. Peck of Chicago as commits
sioner general to the Paris exposition. There
is strong competition for this prospective
place. and number Of influential names
have been proposed.
The Cabinet Meeting.
The cabinet meeting was held at the
usual time and was attended by all the
members except Secretary Long, who is
cruising along the coast of New England.
The session lasted about two hours. iwo
of the members are authority for the state
ment that nothing Of importance was done.
They would not say anything about the
business under consideration, further than
that. Nevertheless, there is ground for the
belief that the Cuban question came In for
the principal share of consideration in con-
nection with the coming departure of Min
ister Woodford for his post of duty at Mad
rid