The age-herald., 1898-08-11
COMING VACANCIES
 IN THE CABINET
Special Dispatch to the Age-Herald. BY ARCHIBALD ". BUTT


 Washington, Aug 10.--One reason given for the probable resignation of Judge Day from the cabinet is his inability to per- form the social duties of that office While Judge Day is not what would be called poor man, yet his means are such as to force his retirement from the high posi- tion he now holds. Every year 1t is be- coming more evident that the salaries of cabinet officers must be raised. or else the chief executive must choose his official ad- vsers from among men of money-a thhg by no means to be desired.
 Should congress provide suitable homes for members of the cabinet and appropri- ate a certain amount to be used by the secretary of state for purposes of enter tainment, it would greatly ease matters. All the members of the cabinet have to entertain a good deal but it is imperative for the secretary of state to entertain on lavish scale. Should he not go outside the diplomatic circles for guests, it would still take a moderate size fortune to feed and wine them properly during the year. member of the cabinet has either to choose between hotel or a small home in an unfashionable part of the town or ten One can't get even fairly furnished
 
 part of the city for less than four to ten thousand dollars year, four thousand being low figure. Here is half the sal aary gone at one stroke. Then the cus- tom of the office demands that the wife receive every Wednesday, when the devil and his wife are permitted the privilege of calling to pay their respects, and inci- dentally to eat as much cake and ices and Jr;, their CIlriOuS bod ies can hod If cabinet officer comes in poor, if he is honest he will go out poorer. Under Cleveland majority of the mem bers of his cabinet were men of moderate means, and most of them rejoiced to see the day of their deliverance. Secretary olney was by no means a poor man, but he was unable to entertain as his station demanded It is easier for New England people to keep their doors closed, however, than for those who come from more hospitable section of the country Secretary Day gives as his reason for desiring to leave the cabinet his wlfes health, but I understand the real cause for his retirement is his unwillingness to retrench when he should take the lead in official entertainments
 t*
 Considerable interest attaches to the ap- pointment of his successor. There seems to be a well-founded report that Postmas- ter-General Smith will be his successor, in which case it is not unlikely that H. Clay Evans of Tennessee will be nominated for the postoffice department. As the cab inet now stands, there is not southern man in it. This portfolio was originally in- tended for the south's share of the house. hold plum but when Postmaster-General Cary got cold at the lower extremities at inc prospect of the war and resigned, Phiadelphian was put in to succeed him. Should the president go outside of his cab inet to fill the vacancy in the state depart ment should there be one, then the re- nainder of the cabinet would remain 1n- tact.
 From A presidential point of view, Presi- deht Mckinley has been exceedingly lucky in having cabinet resignations. Already he has had three vacancies to fill since he orig inally formed his cabinet. Attorney-Gen- eral McKenna went on the supreme bench and Secretary Sherman was so old that he could not remember that he had sworn to stay in, if, for nothing else. than to get even with Hanna for forcing the appoint ment upon him in the first place.
 Then Postmaster General Gary turned turkey in agricultural language, thus leav- ing another place to be filled by a favorite. And now Secretary Day thinks of going out. When the news of Days resignation was told to Senator Elkins the West Virginian laughed. Well" said he, If he aint the luckiest man living. And yet they talk about beating him for the nomination." But then, it must be remembered that Senator Elkins would deem it great luck for him. self should all the collectors and marshals in his state simultaneously wrap the drap- cries of their office about them and lie down to pleasant dreams.
 
 Doubtless President Mckinley considers himself hard used to see his faithful friends retire from his council, but there comes the same consolation that does to the widow, at least she can marry again.
 It will be good news to the pipe smokers to hear that the president has renounced cigars and has taken up the pipe. As yet he has refused to give any recommenda- ton as to which brand of tobacco he pre- fers. The president is an incessant smoker, and in the past was seldom seen without a cigar between his teeth He found how ever, that the continuous smoking of cigars was having a very decided effect upon his nerves. He was recomemnded to try the pipe, which cheers but does not inebriate. He did, and after burning his tongue very badly with new ones consented to take an old one from the one member of his cab- net who smokes pipe Secretary Wilson. The president Is now trying to find out which of his friends smoke pipes, as he wants to break in some choice articles which have been presented to him since the fact became known that he had been ele- vated to the pipe strata.
 There are not many smokers in the cabi- net. Attorney General Griggs chews to- bacco, but does it privately. Secretary Day does not use any tobacco at all, and neither does Secretary of the Interior Bliss. But Postmaster-General Smith is cigarette fiend, though he has not become so vitiated as to reject good cigar when he is handed one. Secretary Gage both chews and smokes, but not to a very great extent. Sec retary Alger is an incessant smoker, while Secretary Long does not use the weed in any form. Secretary to the President Por- ter is an all-round good liver and smokes