HARRISON, Benjamin. Autograph letter signed (''Benj.Harrison'') as President-elect, to Senator John Sherman, Indianapolis, 4 February 1889. 1½ pages, 8vo, marked ''Confidential.''

HARRISON, Benjamin. Autograph letter signed ("Benj.Harrison") as President-elect, to Senator John Sherman, Indianapolis, 4 February 1889. 1½ pages, 8vo, marked "Confidential."

A PRESIDENT-ELECT CONSIDERS WILLIAM MCKINLEY FOR A CABINET POST. A revealing letter considering the political ramifications of a key cabinet appointment: "My dear Senator, Your letter calling my attention to Wm McKinley must have passed my letter to you on the way. I am glad you feel perfectly free to make the suggestion & hope in reply to my letter you will enlarge your suggestions. I see that Boynton[?] says in the Cong[ressiona]l Gazette that McK[inley] when approached said he would not consider the question of a cabinet place, With only three or four majority in the House & so much fear that we may in some way lose that, I do not like to make any vacancies there...I want a western man however & the only names that have been suggested since [William B.] Allison's declaration are McKinley and Windom. You may be able to suggest others. How does Windom strike you? You knew more of him in the Senate than I did, I notice what you say about our Michigan friend. A sentence in my letter of yesterday will explain my purpose..."

[With:] SHERMAN, John, Senator. Autograph letter signed (retained copy) TO PRESIDENT-ELECT HARRISON, Washington, 6 February 1889. 2 pages, 8vo, Senate stationery. "...I enquired of McKinley...and he emphatically denies it. I think however he has said he dont [sic] want a Cabinet place but does want to be speaker. I believe he would accept the position of Secy. of Treasury. He is well qualified & is popular...but there would have to be a special election...."