Evening star., 1900-11-28
Gossip as to the Successor to Mr..
Griggs.
YERKES MAY BE COMMISSIONER
Admiral Walkers Canal Report
to Be Ready Tomorrow.
MANY CALLERS TODAY

of Attorney General Griggs in March next
there has been a strong sentiment that
Gov Merriam, the present director of the
census, might be called into the cabinet.
This could be easily arranged by little
switching around Of cabinet members. Gov.
Merriam may already be slated for the
cabinet, but his ambitions would naturally
lead to the Senate. Gov. Merriam was a
caller at the White House today.
Representative McCleary of Minnesota
was likewise one Of the days callers. He,
too, Is one of the strong men of his state
and is among those considered as factor
in the senatorial race. He long ago took
a strong position in the House, especially
with reference to financial affairs 1t is
declared that he will have a strong follow
ing.
The Nebraska SenatOrship.
Representative Mercer of Nebraska, one
of the strong candidates for a Nebraska
senatorship, was with the President this
morning. The President heartily congratu-
lated Mr.. Mercer, as he has other Nebras-
kans, on the outcome of the election in that
state. Mr. Mercer Mr.. Rosewater and AS
sistant Secretary Melkejohn are the three
leading candidates from north of the river
Platte. From south of the Platte there are
more than three candidates. 1t is every
where believed that the fight is going to be
bitter one, with chances that many sores
will be left.
Senator Thurston, who will leave the Sem
ate in March, saw the President to urge
the promotion of Lieut.. Arthur M. Edwards
Of the regular army. Lieut.. Edwards made
fine record In the Philippines.
Mentioned for Attorney General.
John L. Webster Of Omaha has been sug-
gested to the President as suitable sue
cessor to Attorney General Griggs. Repre-
sentative Mercer this morning told the
President that Mr.. Webster's appointment
would be pleasing to the west. In this con-
nection 1t Is pointed out that the President
will probably look to the west for cabinet
material in the future. That section can
no longer be regarded as "Bryan's coun-
try" and, therefore, not entitled to fat
plums 1t will push for recognition in the
Of the President and a man of the highest
standing in the legal profession.
To Succeed Mr.. Wilson.
1t Is regarded today as among the proba-
bilities that John w. Yerkes, late republi-
can candidate for governor of Kentucky,
may succeed the late George w. Wilson as
commissioner Of internal revenue. Mr..
Yerkes has the experience and the qualif-
cations. Representative Boreing Of Kln-
lucky was at the White House today. but
did not refer to the matter. Later, how
ever, he will no doubt urge Mr.. Yerkes for
commissioner. Mr.. Yerkes prominence and
the united backing Of Kentucky IS expected
to make him most formidable candidate.
There will be hard fight for the position.
West Virginia has long claimed mortgage
on the position of commissioner of internal
revenue and will almost certainly have a
candidate. Commissioner Wilson succeed
ca West Virginia man, Senator Scott, who
himself succeeded democrat from West
Virginia.
Colonel Robert Williams. deputy commits
10 zal III
might be regarded by the President as de-
serving to succeed Mr.. Wilson.
Keep the Present Army.
Senator Fairbanks and Representative
Steele of Indiana talked with the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Steele was an officer in the regu-
lar army years ago, and takes a deep inter-
est in army matters. He said today, re-
garding the talk Of a reorganization Of the
army, that he believed the best plan would
be to continue for another year or two
years the present regule. army, with au-
thorlty to enlist the present number of vol
unteers, the President to have the power to
curtail the size Of the army If desired Mr.
Steele thinks that in year or two Con-
gress would know better what size regular
army the country would need.
Naval Reserve.
Representative Foss Of the naval affairs
con mittee Of the House was a visitor. He
is one of the leading members of the COM
mittee. OF the work Of the committee at
the coming session, he said: II haven't yet
gone over the different reports to ascertain
what recommendations have been made,
but do know that the naval bill is likely
to be large this year. Our navy is growing
and as II grows we must make appropria-
tions for it. We can't have battleships and
good navy without expending money One
feature that will be pressed at this session
will ho fha
ter or a naval reserve. There is a strong
sentiment for such an organization, and it
Is Gdn nov ool looked M upon with more favor than
eanization of this kind. 1t would greatly
strengthen the navy
Nicaragua Canal Report.
II is understood that Admiral Walker.
chairman of the canal commission. will
have preliminary report ready to submit
to the President and State Department to-
morrow. This report, as already stated
will be the findings Of the commission as
to the proposed two routes to connect the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The President
will submit the report to Congress with his
annual message or soon thereafter. While
1t 1t belevIo in many directions that the
commission will report in favor of the Mic.
aragua route well-posted representative
said today that he did not think the report
OF the commission would be specific in Its
recommendations as to routes. 1t would
report the facts, he said, but to make an
outright recommend alton might produce ex-
o-bitant and outrageous demands from Mic
aragul and Costa Rica.
He Had M!.sy CaIIers.l
The President had a great many callers
today. Among the number not mentioned
heretofore were Representative-elect Lewis
of Pennsylvania, Representatives Babcock,
Burton and Hepburn. Attorney General
Sheets. Of Ohio. Senator Lodge, H. A. D,,-
Pont. the Delaware republican,; A. r..
Randle of the District and a commission
from Illinois that was appointed by Gov.
Tanner to investigate the prison laws of
the different states The commission con-
sists OF State Senator Chapman, Warden
Tanner of joliet, Messrs. Purdon, Drew,
Conway Ryan and x-Representative Muir.
ply most of them members of the Illinois
legislature. The commission went to Balti.
more today and win visit a number Of
states.
Reprcsentative-elect Lewis is from :he
nineteenth Pennsylvania district It has
been represented only once since the war
by q republican. The seat is now held by
Mr.. Zeig.er. democrat It has heretofore
been Fnown as a solid democratic district
Mr.. Lewis carried the district by 986 votes,
Vhiie President Mckinley lost II by 1.4D5