Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-04
.M'KINLEY IN FINE HEALTH Made a Pop Call at the White
 House. READY FOR THE MORROW Cornelius N. Bliss, of New York, Goes Into the Cabnet-Men Who Will Handle
 FoIios of State.

Washington, March 9--The president elect is in an excellent state of health this morning. He rested well and was exceedingly pleased with the quiet dinner and evening which he passed at the white house with President and Mrs. Cleveland. At 10:30 Gov. Lowndes, of Maryland, accompanied by his staff call ed and were received in the hotel parior. Late this afternoon there were number of conferences at the rooms of the presi- dent-elect on the subject of the cabinet. It was II o'clock when the president-elect drove to the white house in the rain to make the customary formal call. Quite a crowd had collected near the portico in anticipation of his arrival and hats were removed with slight cheer when he alighted, followed by Secretary J. Addi- son Porter, and Chairman Bell, of the in auguration committee. MT. Mckinley ac- knowledged the ovation by smllingly lifting his hat and nodding to the assem- blaze and then walked quietly into the main corridors, whence he was at once ushered, through the great stained glass screen, to the brue room, where President Cleveland and Secretary Thurber stood expectingly. The hand grasp of the pres ident was noticeably cordial in greeting his successor, and while the two secre- tarles and MT. Bell drew aside President Cleveland asked interestingly regarding Mrs. McKinley'S health, and assured MT. Mckinley that he would be able to take part in tomorrow's physical ordeal in spite of the pain he was suffering. The interview was brief, for the president elect had remained at the white house last night until 10 o'clock discussing the inauguration arrangements and the af- fairs of sta which are left over to worry him, and besides, the visit was purely one of courtesy in acknowledgement of last nights hospitality.
 Within two minutes of his entry the president-elect and those accompanying him drove away
 President Cleveland and Secretary Thurber returned the call at noon.
 The throng of callers at the white house shows no lessening. Among them today were Capt. Robley Evans, who is per fecting arrangements for Q ducking ex- petition on a light house tender, to be- gin Thursday night. Justice White, of the supreme court Commissioner of Pa tents Seymour, Marshal Wilson, Josiah Patterson, of Tennessee; Gen. John M. Wilson, chief of engineers, and a host of congressman wanted pet measures placed on top of the heap on the presidents desk and all went away satisfied that this would be done.
 In spite of the rain inauguration crowds came in droves and tracked mud over the rich carpets of the east room which was the only apartment open to the public.
 It is announced that this morning Cor neius N. Bliss agreed to reconsider his determination to remain in private life, and consented to enter Mir McKinlSy's cabinet as the representative of New York state It is understood that the po- sition to which he is for the present as- signed is the vacant post of secretary of the interior and that the formal tender of a cabinet position will be made to him this afternoon by MT. Mckinley. But MT. Bliss New York friends want him to be secretary of the navy, and he would prefer that portfolio himself, for the reason that he is not a lawyer and the tradition Is that the post of secretary of the interior shall be occupied by law yer.
 Gov. John D. Long, who has been slat- ed for secretary of the navy and who did not expect to reach here until some time tomorrow, has been communicated with by telegraph and asked to come to Washington immediately. It is ap- parently- the intention to ask him to be- come secretary of the interior so as to leave the navy portfolio open for Mir Bliss.
 Prominent republicans who have heard the statement that MT Bliss Is to be a member of the cabinet express great sat. isfaction at this solution of the New York problem Mr. Bliss is acceptable to all factions. If the arrangement as above outlined Is carried out the new cabinet will be as follows:
 Secretary of state-John Sherman, of Ohio.
 Secretary of the reasury-Lyman J. Gage, of Illinois.
 Secretary of war-Russell A. Alger. of Michigan.
 Attorney general-Joseph McKennar of California.
 Postmaster general-James A. Gary. of Maryland.
 Secretary of the navy--Cornelius N. Bliss, of New York.
 Secretary of agriculture-James Will son, of Iowa.
 Secretary of interior-John D. Long, of Massachusetts.