The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-03-06
THE CABINET CONFIRMED
SENATE IPPROYES OF M'KINLEY'S
OFFICIAL FAMILY.

Praises Mr.. Bliss qualifications.
Washington, March 5,-The length OF
the executive session of the senate this
afternoon led to the circulation of sew
eral unfounded rumors that contest
was being made against the confirma-
tion of at least two of the members OF
the cabinet selected by President Nc
Kinley Rumor had it that the opposi-
ton was aimed at Mr.. McKenna, Sc
lected for the attorney generalship,
and Mr.. Alger, selected for secretary of
war.
The delay was not unusual The
nomination of Mr. Sherman was con-
firmed Immediately without the for
mality of a reference to committee.
While this is not the invariable rule, it
is generally extended to ex-senators as
an act of courtesy. 1t was suggested
privately on the floor that the whole
cabinet be at once confirmed; but this
taken the compliment intended for Mr..
Sherman would have been no compl-
ment at all.
All the other nominations were refer
red to the various committees, which
joining the chamber, and after an in
formal discussion of the nominations,
the committees made favorable reports
in each case.
Mr.. Teller addressed the senate brief
ly He said that he did not propose to
oppose any selection Mr.. Mckinley had
made. He recognized the fact that the
cabinet was the official family of the
executive, and the president ought not
to be hampered by the senate in the
choice of the men whom he desired for
his advisers. He desired, however, to
say that he believed that in some cases
Mr. Mckinley had made mistakes in
the men he had chosen.
Whoever else Mr. Teller may have
had in mind is unknown, for he men
toned only Mr. Bliss, nominated to be
secretary of the interior.
Mr. Teller emphasized the fact that
he did not criticise this nomination on
personal grounds. He knew Mr.. Bliss
to be a man Of affairs, who had been
successful, and was held high in the
esteem of his fellow men. He did not
doubt but that Mr.. Bliss would bring to
the office all his business and executive
ability. But there was more required,
Mr.. Teller sail, than mere business abil-
ity
The interior department was one of
the most important in the government,
affecting interests in many of the states
and particularly those Of the great
west. The secretary annually made
more important decisions involving
property than did the supreme court of
the United States. The head of this
great department ought to be equipped
with legal ability and familiarity
with land matters to meet the intricate
questions that would come before it,
and for this reason, and for this reason
only, Mr. Teller said, the nomination
was subject to criticism.
Mr.. Stewart spoke briefly in the same
vein, corroborating what Mr.. Teller had
said about the Importance of a head to
this department who would be able to
deal justly and judicially in the mat
ters in dispute constantly coming be-
fore the court of which the secretary
was the reviewing judge.
Mr.. Hoar replied to Mr.. Teller's crit
icisms by praising the ability and quail
ifications of Mr. Bliss, and, addressing
himself to the one point made by Mr..
tT-1I foI +la+ 1T ~
lily overcome by the selection of assist
ant secretaries who would have these
qualifications that would guide the sec
retary in his rulings
No other speeches were made. The
names of General Alger and Judge Nc
Kenna were not mentioned in the dis
cussion, and all the nominations were
then confirmed without a formal vote
being taken.
Mr.. Chandler called the attention of
Mr.. Teller to the fact that Zacharius
Chandler had no legal training and
that he was an eastern man. Still it
was admitted that his conduct of the
administration of the interior depart
ment was one of the best in the his
tory of the government.
Mr.. Chandler did not think that Mr..
Bliss would make failure Of the place
for he would certainly have the assist
ance of ATTAINED legal advisor as as
sistant agent for his department and
would doubtless have a western man
for his assistant secretary.
Mr.. Teller emphasized the fact that
he had not criticised Mr. Bliss because
he was an eastern man, but because,
being an eastern man, he knew nothing
of the great western matters constantly
arising in the department of the in
terror There was no clash between
the east and the west. and bearing in
mind the recent elaborate reports of
executive sssions on the arbitration
treaty, Mr.. Teller jocularly remarked
that he hoped the Reporter" of the ex-
ecutive session debates would exoner-
ate him from the charge of criticising
Mr.. Bliss election on the ground that
he was an eastern man.
Mr.. Lodge in a few sentences endors-
ed what Mr. Hoar had said about Mr..
Bliss, and declared that time would
show that Mr.. Teller's fears We're un-
founded.
In the early part of his remarks Mr..
Teller referred to the selection of Mr..
Gage as secretary of the treasury as be-
ing unwise. but he only touched upon
that to the extent of no more than two
or three sentences. Beyond that Mr.
Cages election was not criticised. nor