The herald., 1898-08-29
CABINET RECONSTRUCTION


The cabinet as originally constituted
by President Mckinley was not up te
the standard in point of ability and ex-
perience. It had no really strong mar
In it, though Sherman had long been
in public life. 1t was not representa-
tive of the people, but was representa-
tive of classes and special interests
Such a cabinet could not have been
chosen by a president left to his own
Judgment, but was selected upon falla-
cious theory, and under influences which
a man of Independent and strong will
would have successfully resisted.
The methods of Hanna in the cam
paign had a demoralizing effect; they
placed Mckinley under unusual obliga-
lions. Vast sums Of money were ex-
pended, of which he could not have been
ignorant. Hanna had rendered him serv-
ices in his nomination and election which
gave the Ohio boss a commanding inf1u-
ence. Mr.. Sherman was really forced
out of a senatorial seat, and into the
state department., to make place which
Hanna coveted, though Mr.. Sherman
had no experience in diplomatic affairs,
no natural adaptation to them, and was
untitled through deterioration Of both
physical and mental faculties. 1t was
not intended that he should be secretary
of state except in name and as figure
head.
1t is not a secret that Alger was giver
the war portfolio under pre-arrange-
ment, and in consideration that he and
his friends would contribute large sum
to the campaign fund, which was done
Alger was not noted for ability OF
achievement, except as successful op-
orator in the lumber business. His rep
utation while a soldier in the Civil war
was unenviable, and in civic Office he had
achieved no distinction. 1t is we'll known
that Mckinley felt obliged to accept him
though 1t was distasteful.
The three great money centers Of the
country-New York, Chicago and Bos-
ton-insisted on representation, and
hence Bliss, Gage ana Long were giver
places in the cabinet Gage was given
the fiscal department because his life
work had been In a bank, and he was
the choice of the bankers alliance. He
has been faithful to what was expected
Of him, not only in efforts to commit
the government more thoroughly to the
gold standard" but in devising and en-.
cheering schemes for the retirement Of
government paper, and to confer upor
banks the sole power to supply the coun.
try with note circulation.
Bliss had been a merchant, and had
had no experience in public affairs. Sin.
gularly enough, he was assigned to the
interior department, in which the cas-,
has comparatively little interest. 1t /.
peculiarly a western department, hav.
ing control Of Indian affairs and the pub.
lie lands. 1t has been the custom t.
give the department to a western man
or one familiar with western interests
Wall street and Plat demanded repre-
sentation in executive councils, and con
flicting interests could not be better ad
justed than to inflict New York cit,
merchant upon the country by putin,
him into a western department.
Long is not aquatic in taste or expe
rience, but he was acceptable to Stat
street in Boston.
Carey is an old and respectable gentle
man, who had devoted his life and en-
ergies to his private business, but he hat
not that grasp of mind and adaptation
that would make him any better post
master-general than Sherman was sec
rotary Of state.
Alger, Bliss, Gage, Carey and Sher
man were all men of large wealth. 1
was cabinet highly acceptable to thu
gold power and to the machine politi
clans.
Three changes have been made al
ready and without any appreciable i'm
provement in the personnel Of the orig.
inal cabinet. The new attorney-genera
is man Of wealth, and is representa-
tive of the eastern money power. This
new postmaster general was appointed
as sop to Quay, the Republican boss
Of the Keystone state. Judge Day
the retiring secretary of state, was
a former law partner of the pres.
ident, is country lawyer of re.
spectacle ability, but will not con.
tribute another name to the list of great
premiers such as Jefferson, Madison
Clay. Webster, Buchanan, Marcy, Sew.
ard and Fish.
1t should be expected that president