The times., 1898-12-14
TO leave THE CABINET
Indications That Secretary
Bliss Will Retire.
THE PRESIDENT NOTIFIED
No Action Until Mr. McKinley's Re-
Some Time-Now in New York
Various Reasons for the Rcsigaa-
tiOn Assigned.

| Tt was asserted with positiveness in
| certain official quarters last night that
Hon. Cornelius n. Bliss had sent to tie
President his resignation as Secretary Of
the Interior and that the matter was
discussed at the Cabinet meeting yester-
day.
Another statement was to the effect
that. while Secretary Bliss had not ac-
| tualy rendered his resignation. he had
notified Mr. Mckinley of his intention of
doing so Immediately after the return of
the Presidential party from the South.
Several causes were assigned for the re-
ported action of the Secretary OF the In
terror. One of these IS that he has had
the step in contemplation for some time.
owing 10 his large and rapidly increasing
private business interests.
Another reason advanced was his con-
tinued illness and his consequent inability
10 properly attend to the vast business of
the department over which he rresides.
Still another reason alleges that he is not
in entire accord with certain policies of
the Administration.
\ member of Congress. who is known
to he close TO the President, stated last
| night THAI Secretary Bliss rendered Ii $
| resignation - Mr.. Mckinley last Friday
before he started for New York The
same authority announced that the
President would not formally accept the
resignation until he returns to Washing
ton from the South, and has an oppor-
tuuity to choose n successor to Mr. Bliss
When Secretary Bliss entered the Cabi-
net the semiofficial statement was made
that he did not intend to serve the entire
term of four years. Just before the be-
ginning Of the war with Spain the Sec
retary informed President Mckinley that
| it was his desire and intention TO retire
! from the Cabinet He was however,
prevailed upon to remain as one of the
Presidents advisers until peace should be
declared.
Mr.. Bliss consented and, now that the
treaty of peace has been signed. it is be-
iieved he has carried out his original in
tention and stepped down and out
High officials of the Interior Depart
ment profess to disbelieve the statement
that their chief has resigned. One of
these stated last night that when Secre-
| tary Bliss left Washington for New York
| last Friday he had no Intention of re-
! signing; that he had arranged to return
| to Washington at $50 O'Clock Sunday
night, and had his carriage waiting for
him at the Sixth Street depot He was.
however, seized with an attack of stom-
ach trouble and was compelled to defer
his return to this city.
| While with the President on his trip to
Omaha Secretary Bliss contracted this all
| ment and has been troubled with 1t more
or less ever since.
| 1t is pointed out that Assistant Secre-
| tary of the Interior Ryan received a letter
| yesterday from Mr.. Bliss. The Secretary
stated that he had suffered another at
| tack of Illness, and had been advised by
| his physicians to remain indoors for sew
| eral days Secretary Bliss informed Mr..
Ryan that he had notified the President of
| his condition and expressed his regrets at
| being unable TO accompany him on his
| journey South.
| He also gave Mr. Ryan certain instruc-
| tions and suggestions for carrying on GER
| tain current and prospective departmental
| business, also concerning matters which
are to be postponed for his personal inves-
| tigation and action.
| up to the time of Secretary Bliss $
| departure for New York. said an official
| of the Interior Department, ''he had not
| indicated by word deed that he in
tended to tender his resignation. In fact.
| he laid departmental plans for the future
after his return. 1t is possible, however,
| that he may have changed his mind since
| he reached the metropolis"
| Two Cabinet officers were asked about
the reported resignation last night, but
| they would neither confirm nor deny the
| report.
| At the rooms of Secretary Bliss, in the
| Arlington annex when inquiry was made
| about him, the answer was returned:
| Mr.. Bliss is still in New York. Don't
| know when he will return