Evening star., 1899-03-07
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Cabinet Session of Two Hours and
a Half Today.
PAYMENT OF TIE CUBANS DISCUSSED
Details to Be Left in the Hands oi
General Brooke.
ARMY EORGANIZ TION

A session of two hours and half was
held by the cabinet today, long discussions
taking place on the various subjects now
in hand. The matter of the payment of So
100000 to the Cubans was talked of, and 1t
was decided to leave the details wholly in
the hands Of Gen. Brooke. The warrant
for the payment of the money was made
out at the treasury today and will be turn
ed over to the authorities Of the army in
New York
In talking of the reorganization of the
army, Secretary Alger said that the regu-
lar army is being rapidly filled by enlist
ments. and in a short time the number of
men desired will be secured. 1t is under
stood that the volunteer regiments will not
all be mustered out until the organization
of the regular army of 5000 has been COM
pleted. When this has been done the regu-
lars will occupy the various fields.
No News of Battle at Manila.
Secretary Alger said that he had received
no news from Manila of an important bat
tie going on there, as reported during the
morning. Such news would not be surpris
ing, however, as Gen. Otis has been expect
ed to begin a forward movement at any
time. The insurgents may have learned of
this and decided to make desperate attacks
before the troops on their way to Gen. Otis
arrive.
Before the cabinet session this morning
the President had many callers. He talked
with as many as possible. Senator Cullom
and ex-Representative Belknap called with
Green b. Raum, eX-commiSsioner of pen
sions and of internal revenue. 1t is said
that Mr.. Raum has been suggested for a
position
Report of Differences Denied.
Secretary Gage and Secretary Alger went
up the White House steps together this
morning to join the cabinet session. As
they went up they good-humoredly talked
of a story recently published that they
were bitter enemies The story is to the
effect that Secretary Gage is the one who
has been starting the stories of Secretary
Ayers alleged intention to resign because
he had some difference with Secretary
A,ger at a cabinet meeting. The truth is
that the two Secretaries have never had
any differences, and Secretary Gage has
never said a word derogatory to the Sec
retary of War.
A Distant Relative of the President.
James E. McKinlay, a distant relative
of the President, had long talk with the
most distinguished member of the family.
Mr.. McKinlay is a Scotchman, whose home
is at Rdgetown. Ont, and he says that
the family from which the President sprang
was Scotch.
Mr.. McKinlay lived In New Zealand for
many years and then came to this country
and settled in Canada He has been to
Florida with his wife and came back
through Washington to talk with the Pres
ident. whom he had once before met in
Chicago.
thentic history of the Mckinley family for
hundreds of years back. The first known
of the family was in Scotland. and the
early members fought in the clannish wars
of Scotland, some of their deeds being
chronicled by Sir Walter Scott in the Lady
of the Lake. During time when there
was little excitement in Scotland some of
the ambitious, patriotic and venturesome
spirits of the family went to Ireland to
fight against England. They remained there
and prospered. From that branch of the
family descended the President.
Mr.. MCKinlay has doubt of the cor
Tectness of his history. He has traced it
in every direction. and all the Mckinleys
whether spelled with an ''e'' "a" rely
upon it. There is a strong facial rcsem-
blance between the President and Mr.. Nc
Kinlay. This is especially in the
straight, prominent nose of each, we'll
known characteristic of the Mckinley fam
lily.
The Presidents Vacation.
President Mckinley will not get away
from Washington for week or ten days
He will then go direct to Thomasville, Ga.
Mrs. Mckinley will accompany him, and
they will be the guests of Senator Hanna
1t is understood that Vice President and
Mrs. Hobart and ex-Secrctary Bliss will
also be Mr.. Hanna's guests. Senator Han
mas winter home at Thomasvlle is a splen-
did one, said to be one of the finest in the
south.
May RenppOint Judge Ewart.
1t is said today that the President will
probably reappoint Judge Ewart of North
Carolina, despite the failure of the Senate
to confirm the nomination sent in long
ago. Before the Senate adjourned forty
five republican senators signed their names
to request that Judge Ewart be reap
pointed. This was presented by Senator
Pritchard, and the President ,s said to
have signified his intention to again ap-
point the North Carolinian.
Director Merriam's Plans.
Ex-Governor Merriam, recently appointed
as director of the census, called on the
President today, in company with Senator
Nelson of Minnesota. Mr.. Merriam said
that he had asked Mr.. Wines. who has been
appointed assistant director of the census
to come to Washington for conference,
and that the work of organizing the force
will be proceeded with rapidly as pos
sible. Mr.. Merriam will take short trip
west In about a week. and on his return
will select an office, and thereafter devote
all his time to the work in hand He is
occupying temporary quarters on z street
between 9th and 10th.
To Visit the Naval Academy.
The President has appointed the following
named persons as members of board of
visitors to the Naval Academy: Rev. Jas.
Lewis, Joliet ILL.,. Rev. Alexander Mackay-
Smith of Washington, D. c.; Mr.. Edward
H. Harrison of Chicago, ILL.,; Mr.. James 8.
Browning of Pocahontas, Va; Mr. W. H.
Halle of Springfield. Mass; ]. ]. McCardy
st. Paul. Minn., and Frank ]. Symmes
San Francisco, Cal.
The Vice President has not yet designated
the representation of the Senate on this
board of visitors, but Speaker Reed has
named for the House Representatives
Steele of Indiana and Representative Settle
of Kentucky.