Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-25

retirement, but finally admitted that
he had resigned, and said
Il am now 10 years Old" he began,
and think younger man could man
age the office Of the department better
than | can. so | am willing and ready
to give way 20 Il more active man. and
have placed my resignation in the
hands Of the President. | desire it UNI
derstood that, in office or out of IT,
there is no unkindness existing between
President Mckinley and myself.
Another thing | wish understood
The cause of my retirement is not i'll
health. l have had but six days i'll
ness since | have been in the cabinet
! merely wish to give way to a younger
/ man than myself, especially since the
war has been declared"
! PRESIDENT Mckinley Will, of course
accept Secretary Shcrman's resigna-
| ton, with appropriate expressions Of
his appreciation for his character, abil-
/ ity and past services and the letters
/ will be made public, probably when
/ Secretary Sherman's successor, Judge
/ Day, is nominated, next week.
William K. Day was. until this ad-
ministration. q Woodworking Ohio law
yer and judge. a personal friend OF
! President Mckinley, and little known
! outside of his own circle of friends and
perhaps the legal fraternity Of his own
state. He has in the past year, as as
sistant secretary Of state, won an on
Viable reputation, having been the vir-
tual secretary Of state during the
stormy times of that department in the
| last four months.
q barn in J>aNa,1no Arrii
Il. 1919. His father, Luther Day, was
judge of the Ohio supreme court and
came of revolutionary stock. The son
was educated in the schools Of ftaven-
ma. preparng for the University Of
Wisconsin in the class Of 20. His
health was not Of the best, but he was
graduated with credit and returned to
Ravenna to study law He attended
legal lectures at Ann Arbor. and was
made librarian OF The university. final
ly gaining admission to the Ohio bar
in 1872. TWO years later he formed n
partnership with William a. Lynch at
Canton, o., MI. A1cKinley's home. and
stayed in the firm until mis- appoint
ment as judge Of the common pleas
court for the 9Th judicial district in
1886.
He served only a wear ct the post.
owing to his dislike Of judicial routine,
and resumed practice in 1887 With his
old partner, together With his brother,
David Il. Day. President Harrison APP
pointed him district judge in the north
ern district of Ohio. and his nomination
was confirmed by the Senate. but his
physicians advice prohibited taking
the post He declined the honor. and
that ended his official career until he
accepted the assistant secretaryship Of
state. He has been q most successful
lawyer but has confined his activities
to the labors of the bar, ana has been
in no sense i politician.
Mr.. Mckinley had known him ever
since he came to Canton. and sad earncd
to respect the calm. Sagacious mind of
the retcent lawyer. as well as to rely on
, a long ana tried friendship. When the
then President-clect deemed it well To
have report the conditions in CUBA.
/ at the hands of one whom he could thor
uuGnly trust. he called upon his friend
Day. inauguration day Was near and the
i0recaSting of the personnel of the ne"
administration made il Of prime necessity
, to have tirst-rate man as assistant Sec
rotary of state, to aid Mr.. Sherman. thu
secretary. rich in years and honors, but
it then feared unequal to the labor
o. the place
81 Mr.. Day was stopped on the way to
/ cuba ana installed in the department of
, state at this juncture. not without cN-
citing surprise chat nam 50 unaccus-
TONED to diplomatic usage should he APP
= pointed to such q post, especially under
, conditions that made him practically re
sponsible for all that was done. The APP
pointec displayed a wide knowledge of
! international las ana. guided by cool.
carefully disciplined mind, has made few
errors in the trying position he has filled.