Evening star., 1897-02-01
GOFF'S DECLlNATION
Some of the Reasons Given Will Not Bear
Examination.
Belief That His Chances for the SEN
ate Would Be Improved by His
Being in the Cabinet.

While 1t may be true that Judge Golf of
West Virginia will not be a member Of
Mr.. Mckinley's cabinet. some of the rea-
sons offered are not thought to bear very
close examination.
1t is said, for one thing, that in con-
versation on the subject Mr.. Mckinley ex-
planned to Judge Golf that those who en-
tered the cabinet would be expected to
serve the full four years, and it was then
that Judge Goff, having in mind the seat
in the Senate now occupied by Mr.. Faulk-
ner. for which, 1t is understood the judge
will be candidate, declined the proffered
place. This is thought to be most improb-
able. Presidents, rule, object to
changes in their cabinets. but they have
never been known to undertake, in the way
suggested, to provide against such a thing.
1t always depends. Changes do not neces-
sarily weaken cabinet, and as cabinet
places bring their incumbents into close
relations with the prestige of national power
they not infrequently become stepping
stones to the Senate and to other places.
For recent examples it is recalled that
Mr.. Proctor passed from the cabinet to
the Senate, and Mr.. Villas, and Mr.. Ell1ins
from Judge Goff's own state. While all
three of those men had claims to con-
sderation for the Senate independent of
their services in cabinet office. it IS as
serted that those services were of great
help to them in their senatorial races.
Will BE 81 Senatorial Candidate.
1t is believed that Judge Golf will be
candidate for the Senate to succeed Mr..
Faulkner, and SO speculation turns upon
whether he would not be freer handed and
stronger in the race as member of Mr..
Mckinley's cabinet than as a United States
judge. In the one office he would be dis
tinctly in the field of politics, in touch
with politicians. and with very considerable
power in his own hands. Maneuvering for
advantage would be entirely legitimate,
and could be prosecuted with ease In the
other office. if he continues to hold it. his
hands, it is suggested will be tied by prece-
dents and the proprieties. and his fight will
necessarily be largely in the hands of his
l1eutenantS. 1t is not regarded as at all
likely that he is considering the step of
reslgning from the bench in order to make
the senatorial race.
Judge GOff's AvafIabflity
Mary of Mr.. Mckinley's warmest friends
have hoped to see Judge Goff take cabinet
office They consider him a strong man.
well located geographically. and solving in
that particllar as in other particulars the
somewhat delicate and cifficult question of
southern representation at the council
table. They have believed too that his
selection would operate as well to keep
West Virginia in the republican ranks as
TO land The judge himself in the Senate
where 1t is we'll known he desires 20 be-
His record on the bench is good, but his
taste and his talents for politics are very
pronounced, and the suggestion of a re-
turn to bis favorite field of activity by the
way Of the attorney generalship has been
considered as wise and timely.
The Southern Member.
If it proves to be true that Judge Goff
vii he
soutn's case will be reopened at Canton,
and ii may give Mr.. Mckinley some trouble
to close it. There is hardly what may be
called d contest between the border states
and the gulf states as to cabinet recogni-
ton. but both sections have aspirants for
the honor. and some strong men are being
pressed In the selection of Judge Golf Mr.
Mckinney had appeared to give preference
TO the border states and this he may still
snow II called upon to name another man.