Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-03-01
BLISS FOR THE CABINET
Said That His Objections Have Been
Overcome
Thought to Stand a Better Chance
Than Mr.. WOOdfOril-TO Sue
coed Mr.. Hamlin.

been overcome and that he will accept If
the occasion arises for the tender to again
be made to him. The matter rests now
with this understanding. On Mr.. McKin-
ley's arrival there Is to be a conference
between him and Mr.. Plat and other New
York leaders. Messrs. Woodford and Bliss
are here, both being under consideration.
and are to confer with Mr.. Mckinley. The
friends of Mr.. Woodford still think that he
has the better chance of selection, but
there are reasons to believe that Mr. Bliss
has reconsidered his declination, and that
he is Mr.. McKinley's choice, as the matter
now stands.
L. Not Interfering.
Pending the arrival Of Mr.. Mckinley
Mr.. Hanna and Mr.. Abner Mckinley, who
are here, are being lionized. Mr.. Hanna
and his friends are annoyed by the per-
slstent asst mption that he is trying to in
terfere with Congress and the policy of the
administration. 1t is represented that a
great injustice is being done Mr.. Hanna in
this assumption, and that it is embarrass-
irg to him. His friends authorize the state
ment that he Is not attempting to direct
the course of the Senate, to make selection
of committee place for himself when he
shall be in the Senate, nor in any way in
terferirg with matters outside his position
as chairman Of the republican national
committee. On the contrary, it is said that
wnen he has reen approached on subjects
lying outaide his proper official authority
he has disavowed either authority or
knowledge Of the matters
To Succeed Mr.. Hamiin.
1t is said that Mr.. o. L. spalding of
Michigan will succeed Assistant Secretary
Hamlin. in charge of the customs business
of the Treasury Department. Mr.. Spald-
ing formerly held that office
The cabinet guessers have held the
tunda Of the Arlington Hotel since early
morning. but when the men of larger fame
appeared the hum of talk was stiled, ana
everybody concentrated his gaze upon the
quite accidental meeting between Mr.. Mark
Hanna of Ohio and Mr.. Corr elius Bliss of
New York. 1t happened close to the hotel
desk.
"Well' said Mr. Bliss to Mr. Hanna. as
the Warwick strolled in from the break
fast room, Il slept last night after all
though when l went to bed l had a bad
night in store-huh-?'
Mr.. Hanna was pointing with his left
forefnger toward the sky. The two gen
tlemen, with truly telepathic understand
ing. then locked arms. and the order MIR.
Hanna gave to the elevator boy was that
they should be conveyed to the Ohio mans
own apartments.
Mr.. Hanna NOn-COmmittal.
The fact that Mr.. Hanna and Mr.. Bliss
were together from 10 o'clock until shortly
before 12 mystlfied the corridor strollers of
all degrees of prominence. Although Cor
nelius n Bliss was long ago considered to
be permanently out of the cabinet running,
Il shouldn't be surprised If the dry goods
man would be the New York representative
in the cabinet yet" was the meter of the
general talk. very well-informed man
from New York, however, disputed this
idea. stating that Mr.. Bliss present ca
pacity was simply that of counsel, and that
his client was Gen. Stuart l.. Woodford of
New York. In the entire mornings hum
the name "WCodford was often sharply
focused. and the premature prophets had it
that he was to be the compromise for
New York figure in the official family of
came down alone for luncheon he was ask
ed by Star reporter as to the movements
in progress toward selecting an eighth
member of the cabinet.
"Cabinet-cabinet? 2" said Mr. Hanna.
"Oh, yes. yes. When l left Ohio the other
day Mr.. Mckinley was quite busily engag-
ed upon that matter l presume he has his
selections almost completed. New York
member? Why. yes, l really suppose New
York should be represented in the cabinet.
But what should know about IT. my dear
boy: Mr.. Hanna became suddenly affec-
tionate in speech and manner. We'll
know ell about 1t Thursday night. won't
We. eh?" Then Mr. Hanna smiled broadly,
which made him look like his cartoons
McCOOk for the Navy.
"In my opinion" said a prominent Ohio
republican. 1--WE shall hear when Mr.. Nc
Kinley arrives tomorrow that Colonel Nc
Cock is to be appointed Secretary of the
Navy, and that he will. be quite willing to
accept that portfolio If 1t be accompanied,
as 1t probably will be, by the President
elects assurance that his succession to
the Attorney Generalship Is only a matter
Of short time. I know personally that
Mr.. Mckinley commented with a consid-
eranle degree Of admiration upon the spunk
which prompted Colonel McCook to abso-
lutely decline the secretaryship of the in
terror. after having signalized his prefer
ence for the attorney generalship. MIR.
Mckinley Is anxious to have a man of such
independence in his cabinet. Mr.. Long Of
Massachusetts. who has from the start
been slated for the navy. is none the less.
quite willing to accept any PORTFOLIO and,
In this case Colonel McCook who would
only accept the secretaryship of the navy
in lieu of the attorney generalship. could
be handed that portfolio with Mr.. McKin-
ley's assurance that in the course of few
months. in view Of other arrangements for
the provision of Judge McKenna, he could
have the attorney generalship. Moreover,
Colonel McCooks acceptance Of the navy
portfolio would give him good opportunity
TO sever his connection with the trusts,
which has aroused so much hostility, in so
far as his assumption of the attorney gen
eralship is concerned. AS to Mr.. Gary, he
would in all likelihood be content with any
PORTFOLIO
In view of the fact that Chauncey M.
Depew was in Washington yesterday, and
that he had a long talk with Mr.. Hanna.
other prognosticators advance the belief
that General Woodford stands a first-rate
chance for a cabinet position. for Mr.. De-
pew and General Woodford are intimate
personal friends Of many years standing.
MIR. MncVEAGH LEAVES ROME.
The American Ambassador to Italy
ON His Way Home.