Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-20

from New York, and it is said would be ac-
Ceptable to Senator Platt
Should the question of New York's posi-
ton in the cabinet not be pressed by the
New Workers and Attorney General Griggs
should be made Secretary of War there is
no doubt that Col. Boyd, the assistant at
torney general .would be strongly pressed
by multitude of friends for a cabinet po-
sition.
During the absence of the Attorney Cen
eral Colonel Boyd has been acting as the
head of the department.
The question of Attorney General Griggs
going to the War Department is considered
advisable by many because of the large
number of legal matters constantly arising
in the department. Mr.. Griggs has unques-
toned executive ability, and his friends say
that If he should be put at the head of the
department there would cease to be talk
about any one else being the real head Of
the department. He is firm and quick in
his decisions and would unhesita tingly be
the real head of the department in every
way.
One Combination.
Attorney General Griggs for Secretary of
War and Mr.. John Cowen of Nebraska for
Attorney General is of the combina-
tions talked about. 1t is said that General
Griggs is already familiar with War De-
partment matters, especially the many in
tricate questions which have arisen in re-
lation to the administration of the island
referred to him for opinions, and several
still pending before him. In addition to
this he has been long enough in the cabinet
to be aware of the intentions and views of
the President relating to military matters
well the administration of the Wer
Department.
Mr.. Cowen is known one of the able
lawyers of the west. He was employed in
the settlement of the Union Pacific debt
and his ability was brought prominently to
the attention of the President at the time.
1t is said he has once been offered posi-
ton in the cabinet, but declined, as he did
not care to sacrifice his practice. 1t is
known that his friends have recently ad-
vised him that he would be again offered a
cabinet position and told him not to decline
it again. 1t Is understood that in case he
entered the cabinet he would prefer to be
Attorney General.
Mr.. Cowen and President Mckinley be-
gan the practice of law together many
years ago in Ohio. He has been district at
torney in Nebraska, and while active in
politics has never sought position.
Postmaster General Smith.
When Postmaster General Smith was
leaving the White House today he was tcld
that his name had been suggested for pro-
motion to the War Department, to succeed
Secretary Alger He stated positively that
he would not accept the position if offered
to him.
Another cabinet officer stated during the
day that it would be difficult matter to
make change from one portfolio to an
other. No cabinet officer desires the war
portfolio. They say that there too
many thankless burdens to carry and too
much hard work.
The general impression among White
House callers today was that the President
will have difficulty in securing a suitable
man. 1t is said on good authority that
selection has yet been made, although the
President has several men in mind.
Men in Congress Mentioned.
Naturally the men in Congress who have
been prominently identified in military af-
fairs come in for consideration in the COM
ment as to who will succeed to the war
portfolio, but to most of them, while
their fitness and capability is conceded,
there questions of locality avail
ability which operates against such
course.
Representative Hull of Iowa, chairman of
the House committee on military affairs,
and author of the Hull bill for the reor-
ganization Of the army, is mentioned in this
connection.
He has seen service on the field and has
a thorough knowledge of recent army af-
fairs 1t is being noted, however, that
Iowa already has member of the cabinet
| Mr. Wilson. OF the other military men in
| the House, Gems. Henderson and Grosvenor
would naturally be thought of If it were
| not for the formers succession to the
| speakership and the considerations of local
| ity connected with the latter
In the Senate the names of Messrs. Proc
| tor and Elkins, each of whom has served as
Secretary of War; General Hawley, the
veteran chairman of the committee on mill
| tary affairs; General Sewall of New Jersey
are among those which naturally suggest
themselves There are questions of availa-
bility in each case, however. and besides
| this 1t is hardly thought the President
would care to deplete the republican
strength in the Senate for the purpose of
securing war Secretary.
Other Suggestfons.
| Three years ago President Mckinley