The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-19

fore the Spanish war The incident is not
only interesting on its own account. but
tteVeals the strong desire which Mckinley
~ up 70 the last moment of avoiding the
e. "i with spain; The senator and repre-
99sShIauVe were invited to call at the White
1 ouse early one morning. The President
ners sulI pusy with his morning newspa-
perS when they arrived. He was seated at
the table in the little room OFF the main
-eSepuon room, where he was fond OF
s,od Alhg. Inc visitors sat down near him,
Jiiu J as the narrative goes, the President
ureW MS chair closer and placed his hands
On the arm Of their chairs In a few brief
tbo us ne recounted what he thought was
tfe me state or public sentiment and the man.
Hest desire Of Spain to drive the United
states 10 the extremity of war or make a
ttItiienent rather than begin actual hos
uIliiues- He said that he felt that if some
thlng was done to convince the conserva-
i've and sensible statesmen of Snain that
Of neanafI aIletican people had given up all hope
preparing Tor fight, satisfactory. peace
IuI settlement might yet be reached He
PnOPoSeu that the congress vote for war
purposes an extraordinary sum of money
ana place II entirely in his hands to do with
as ne saw mt in preparing for national de-
cfarsti, he said that If this sum was suffi-
cIehtly large and the legislative action was
spontaneous and enthusiastic the attention
Oh spain might be forced TO consider our
unp.aralIeled resources and patriotic ear
HestheSs- his TWO visitors agreed with him
that this might accomplish what was in
tended, and. furthermore that If Il failed.
nA for xr-or
poses. Pun
1t was question of only a few ser-
fences 10 decide upon the amount which
was necessary to make this International
impression. Fifty million dollars was the
sum named and settled upon. The veteran
legislators said there was no question of
congress taking the expected course Their
judgment was verified, for the measure
went through both houses Of Congress the
same day, and before night il had the
PRESIDENTS signature. That il failed TO
accomplish its first purpose was NOT tba
fault of any Of the three concerned
XXX
In well-informed administration and
legislative circles 1t is expected that there
will be one more change in the Cabinet and
that the President will then rest content
with his ministers for a long time. This
change is in the naval portfolio, when Sec
retary Long will retire and Governor
Crane, of Massac chusetts, be appointed TO
succeed. For time the gossip was strong
mat Secretary Hitchcock would retire i'm
favor of some Western man of the Presi-
dents choosing. Mr.. Roosevelt's acouaint-
ance with his Secretary Of the Interior is
SAID TO have changed his mind in this re-
spect. He feels that he has in the Mis-
souri, man one of ability and who presidas
over his department with absolute honesty
The latter qualification is so essential i'm
this department that the President is un-
derstood TO have decided TO risk no change
XXX
Old friends are always welcome at the
White House, no matter what their station
For several days William ]. Youngs and
wife, of Oyster Bay, n. Y, have been
guests of Mr.: and Mrs. Roosevelt. Mr.
of the President while he was Governor of
New York and he remains a faVorte in the
presidential household.