Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-21
NEW FEDERAL SECRETARY.
Mr.. Hitchcock Now Mt the Head Of
the Interior Department.

WASHINGTON, u. - FEBRUARY -l-
Ethan Allen Hitchcock. Of Missouri was
sworn into Office as Secretary OF the In
terror az II IS o'clock this morning. The
oath was administered at the Capitol by
Justice Brewer. 81 the United States us
prcme Court IN the presence % Secretary
Hitchcocks immediate predecessor. Cor
nelius y Bliss. 81 New York. who resigned
the high office several weeks ago. Previ-
Gus 20 this ceremony the two gentlemen
had called at the White House and enjoy
ed q pleasant conference with President
Mckinley. Upon leaving the Capitol they
were driven directly 20 the Interior De-
partmeut where the new Secretary enter
ed uo0n his duties without formniity. The
assistant secretaries and various chiefs
o. bureaus were introduced 20 Secretary
Hitchcock hy Mr. Bliss. and they then re-
tired together 70 the private room N the
Secretary % the Interior and no visitors
were thereafter received. A formal recep-
ton 20 Secretary Hitchcock Will be held
tomorrow afternoon.
MR. BLIss's PLANS.
Tx-Secretary Bliss stated 10 a reporter
that De would be az the department to-
morrow. and would probably leave the
city wednesday OF Thursday FOR his
home IN New York lie was plainly and
deeply touched by the many sincere ex-
prcssious of regret at his departure. u
regret very much 90 break the many
pleasant ties here" he remarked we
have been very happy family. There
have been no rebellions. and there mas
been no autocracy. and. N course. u Is
very desirable 90 leave Office with con-
viction that you have lcft a good impress
sion behind YOU with those most closely
identified with your duties / have not
been in good health for six months. I'm
not n sick man by any means. but not "a
well one ! shall probably remain az home
in New York Tor "a week and then 90
South. as I've had cold Tor three weeks
and want 20 get rid N o."
Secretary Ethan Allen Hitchcock ar-
rived in Washington last night In com
pany with his predecessor in office. The
two gentlemen came over from New
york and were driven 10 the Arlington.
where Mr. Hitchcock will make h's home
until his family Joins him here late tn mo
spring.
AN ATTRACTIVE PERSONALITY
Secretary Hitchcock is "a mon OF pleas
Ing personality and very pleasant IN DIS
manner lie wears "a heavy moustache
over "a w.N-shapnf mouth and strong
chin. and. like hi8 hair. 70 Is gray nearly
90 whiteness His eyes are bright and
youthful. and his slender figure d active
and athletic
The new Cabinet Minister has never
been r. politician in the accepted sense OF
the term. he has always taken deep
and earnest interest In national and state
affairs and is gifted with finely ba'an'Sd
Judgment and excellent powers n dis
elimination he rs one OF tho most cX-
eli. a. u
world. and in tho consideration N the
taun bill which bears the name Of PrcHi-
dent Mckinley. 10 gave most valuable
assistance 90 rho latter. who WAS then
chairman Of the House Committee on
WAYS and Means. His observations,
while abroad az Ambassador 10 Russia.
the post " st. Peter burg being elevated
to the highest diplomatic rank during his
incImbeucY. have stamped him az man
of quick discernment.
CARS PEACE PROPOSAL.
In an interview last night bee corrected
what be- said vas popular but wrong I'm
preston regarding the cars so-called
disarmament proposal made 20 the Powers
" the world This proposition said
be-. "ls not FOR disarmament. but for
the calling Of "a conference for the purpose
OF reaching an agreement not to Increase
armament. NNH NJ va" NNN" NN'."ANNN|NN ~.
the circular issued by him in August last
The Car believes that The vast amounts
o. money required 10 adapt the armament
% nations o. new devices which are con
stanUy being brought forward 10 bring
them up t0 that ~ each other could b.
much better utilized for the benent of the
people of the countries affected. The slg-
gestl1n for "A conference bad met with
approval. and think most n The nations
of the world Will be- represented az tho
meeting 10 b. held an The H3gue very
soon 10 consider tho Czars PROPOSE
uon."
Afr Hitchcock was aVerse 20 discussing
FOR publication European politics. but he
said IN answer 20 questions that the a.
cOmp1shment 81 this country in raising
an army OF from 800 % 5000 men
during the Spanish war challenged their
admiration ard astOunded and amazed the
nations 0f the Old World. II had IN
creased the admiration for the nag. and
he added. The American flag never few
higher 10 Europe than 70 flies tonight"
Russia, ne said. was friendly 20 Amer
lea. and during the late war maintained
an attitude Of strict neutrality.