Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-20

Htchcock's immediate predecessor, Cor
| nelius n. Bliss of New York, who resigned
the high Office several weeks ago. Previ-
Gus to this ceremony the two gentlemen
had called at the Whit House and en-
joyed a pleasant conference with President
Mckinley. Upon leaving the Capitol they
We're driven directly to the interior De-
partment, where the new Secretary entered
upon his duties without formality The
assistant secretaries and various chiefs of
bureaus We're introduced to Secretary
Hitchcock by Mr.. Bliss and they then re-
tired together to the private room of the
Secretary of the Interior and no visitors
We're thereafter received. 4 formal recep-
tion to Secretary Hitchcock Will be held
tomorrow afternoon.
MIR. BIiss' Intentions.
Ex-Secretary Bliss stated to Star
porter that he would be at the department
tomorrow, and would probably leave the
city Wednesday Thursday for his home
in New York. He was plainly and deeply
touched by the many sincere expressions
OF regret at his departure, Il regret very
much to break the many pleasant ties
here" he remarked. We have been a
very happy family. There have been no
rebellions and there has been no autocracy,
anu OF course it is very desirable to leave
ONCE with conviction that you have left
most closely identified with your duties
l have not been in good health for six
months. m not a sick man by any means
oat moi well one. l shall probably re-
main at home in New York for a week and
then go south. as I've had a cold for three
weeks and want to get rid of it,
Secretary Ethan Allen Hitchcock arrived
IN Washington last night, in company with
MS predecessor in office. The two gentle
men came over from New York and were
aflEeh TO the Arlington, where Mr. Hitch
cock VIII make his home until his family
JOINS MIN here late in the spring
An Attractive Personality.
Secretary Hitchcock is a man of pleasing
personality and very pleasant in his man
her. lie wears a heavy mustachc over a
WeH-shaped mouth and strong chin and,
ilke his hair, it is gray nearly to whiteness
ms eyes are bright and youthful and his
slender figure is active and athletic.
The new cabinet minister has never bean
politician in the accepted sense of the
term, he has always taken a deep and earn
est interest In national and state affairs
ana Is gifted with finely balanced Judgment
and excellent powers of discrin1jn9tinn ~
is one of the most extensive plate glass
manufacturers in the world and in the com
sluerat'on OF the tariff bill which bears the
name or President Mckinley he gave most
valuable assistance to the latter who was
then chairman of the House comnittee on
ways and means. His observations while
Npfpstt as aHlDdSSaQor to Russia he
OF ST. Petersburg being elevated to tho bfobN
est diplomatic rank during his incumbency
nave stamped him as man of quick dis,
cerDment ~
What he said was popular but wrong I'M
preston regarding the czar's so-called dis
az a. ihdHient proposal made to the powers of
the world. This proposition" said he SIS
not for disarmament. but for the caiIinp
OF conference for the purpose of reaching
an agreement not to increase armaments
Sucn was the intention of the circular is
sueu Oy MIN IN August last. The cZar be-
heves that the vast amounts of money re-
CURED to adapt the armament of nations to
new devices which are constantly being
brought forward to bring them I'D to that
OF each other could be much better utilized
Tor the benefit of the people of the countries
aHected. The suggestion for a conference
nad met with approval and l think most of
the nations of the world will he represented
at the meeting to be held at The Hague
very. soon to consider the cars PROPOSE
tion.''
Mr. Hitchcock was averse to discussing
Tor publication European politics. but he
said in answer to questions that the ac-
compliShments of this country in raising an
army from 25l 900 to 100000 men during the
Spanish war challenged their admiration
and aStounded and amazed the nations of
the old world. 1t had increased the admira-
ton fer the flag, and he added: "Tlie Ameri-
can flag never flew higher In Europe than 1t
flies tonight"
Russia, he said. was friendly to America,
and during the late war maintained an at
utude of strict neutrality
High Regard for Secretary Bliss.
There is general and profound regret in
every branch of the Interior Department
at the retirement of Secretary Bliss who
has endeared himself to all, high and low
alike, by his kindly consideration of them
both officially and personally, and, more i'm
portant still, has introduced a system by
which the intricate work of the department |
has been simplifed for all engaged upon it, |
The sentiment indicated was expressed to- |
Gay by assistant secretaries, chief clerks !
heads of bureaus clerks and messengers |
and probably no public man has ever re-
tired from office with deeper and more
intense esteem from those who came under |
his supervision than Mr.. Bliss.
A Monument to Capt. Gridley.
The House committee ON the library has
favorably reported a joint resolution for