The times., 1898-12-16
GENERAL POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Mr. MchfnieyS Atlanta speech has I'M
questionably created profound stir in
political circles. 1t was discussed yes
terday on all sides and the consensus of
opinion was that the President had add
ed to his reputation as a politician and
statesman by his patriotic utterances
But whether his speech will result in
breaking up the South politically by the
elimination of sectional lines remains TO
be seen. Mr.. McKinley's proposal to
place the care of the graves of the Con-
federate dead under the general Govern
merit the same as those of the Fed raj
soldiers. appeals strongly to the y nti-
mental side of the Southern people II
his suggestion Is carried out and Is fol-
lowed up In other directions. particu arly
In the matter of appointments In tie
South. the opinion is expressed that 1t
might produce revolution politically in
that section of the country. However I
on his return TO the White House NJ.
Mckinley continues to appoint negro
postmasters in the South the charcs are
that the South will still remain sold IL
tically.
Just how Mr.. McKiniey's sentiments
Will be received in certain sections OF the
North. where the Civil War is still live
issue and former Confederates are cal ell
rebels" and TRAITORS" and VII airs II
the deepest dye, will be intere sting TO
note. II 1t should transpire that the Re
puhiicans are likely to lose more vot S
in the North than they can possibly gain
IN the South the subject will problb, b
dropped. Credit should b. given TO Mr.
Mckinley, however, for his good .nten-
tons. He no doubt sincerely means to
carry them out If his party will let him
do so.
In this connection 1t is not out of place
to recall the reception which greeted Mr..
Clevelands famous fag order at the
North. Early In Mr. Clevelands first Ad-
rninistration he conceived the idea that ii
would be a gracious act to have the Con-
federate flags captured during the Civil
War returned to their original owners
and he issued an order to that effect The
suggestion was made. il is understood. by
Gen. f. c. Drum. the then adjutant gem
eral of the army. The moment MIR Cleve-
lands intentions regarding the disposi-
ton Of the Confederate flags were made
known a perfect howl OF indignation
broke loose in the North. Gen. Fairchild,
one-armed veteran from Wisconsin. was
dl iue Hedu OF the III A. h organization.
He delivered himself of an Interview in
which he made use of the expression
''palsied be the hand that signed the order
for the return OF the Confederate iiars"
Gov Foraker, of Ohio. spoke in q similar
strain and the Republican leaders with
scarcely an exception We're unanimous
in condemning Mr.. Cleveiand's proposal
At the request of the Southern leaders,
the order WAS withdrawn. II Mr. Clcve-
Inn .att hot
Mckinley has done, Federal appropria-
ton to preserve the graves of the Con-
federate soldiers probably he would have
been in danger of being mobbed by parti-
sans Of The Fairchild type Times have
certainly changed since then and the late
war has helped to wipe out sectional lines.
but there are still a great many moss
backs" in the rural districts that must be
reckoned with before the ERA of good
feeling" becomes an accomplished fact.
In harmony with the Presidents sug-
sestion, bin, it is understood. will be
introduced In the House this Winter
opening the various soldiers homes
throughout the country to Confederate
veterans.
u suppose said Republican senator
offer to pension the Confederate soldiers
who were wounded in battle. That is only
one step in advance of what the Presi-
dent proposes After that l presume
would come proposal TO pay for the
slaves that We're taken from the people
of the South. Mr. McKinley's sugges-
ton looks very fine on paper, but the
trouble about such things is that you
never can tell where they viii end 1t
is easy to start a ball rolling. but ii IS
not always easy to stop IL. | am afraid
that the President has undertaken a
pretty big contract. and one that will
give himself and his party a great deal
OF trouble in the future
The sudden death of former Senator
Brice of Ohio in New York yesterday
was a great shock to his personal and
political friends in Washington. The ma
jority of them We're not aware that he
had been sick During his term as sena-
tor here Mr.. Brice entertained most Law
ishly, and his house was n social and po-
liticai center. If Brice had lived" said
one of his friends last night. ''he would
have figured in the politics of the country
again. as he was man that was hard to
keep down. ] believe that he was making
plans to be elected to the Senate to sue
ceed Senator Foraker. and the chances
are that he would have been successful
as he would have had the secret If not
open support of Senator Hanna"
Representative Sherman of New York
gave ont quiet tip yesterday that Secre-
tary Bliss was resigning from the Cabinet
to become ambassador to London. Mr.
Sherman appeared to have an exclusive
monopoly of this news" 1t could not be
corroborated in any quarter and probably
has no foundation. The reason assigned
for Mr.. Bliss's retirement from the Cab
met is that his private business requires
his undivided attention. If he should go
to London he would be more out of touch
with his private business than if he re-
manned in the Cabinet
1t seems to be generally accepted that
Mr.. Bliss's successor at the head of the
Interior Department will not be New
York man. New York State is not par
tieularly interested in the Interior Depart
ment. and really cares very little who is
at the head of 1t. The most prominent
candidate mentioned for the place is Hon.
Binger Hermann, of Oregon the present
commissioner of the general land office
Mr.. Hermann has showed marked ability
in the management of his office. and his
selection for the higher post of Secretary
of the Interior would be well received
throughout the West.
With the retirement of Mr. Bliss, New
York will be without a representative in
the Cabinet, unless his successor should
be taken from that State, for the first time
in good many years. New Yorkers have