The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-20
THE NEW CABINET
All the Portfolios Except Three Have
Changed Hands.

Not in thirty years has Cabinet been
subject to so many changes as the one
now entrusted with the affairs Of the ma
ton Yet. although there has been
change once every six months and In one
case at a shorter interval, the changes
have been made tremendously and, gen.
orally. 10 the good OF the nation.
With the possible exception Of Secre-
tary Alger. who has his enemies. pdriic-
ularlv in New York, the retiring secre-
tary was mourned by the country. ana
The fact was regretted that he was com
PEELED by State reasons OF otherwise to
change his position. Elihu Root. the new
Secretary OF War, IS scarcely in the war
chair. his being the latest change.
To-day Of the original Cabinet only
three remain They are Lyman Gage
Secretary Of the Treasury; John d. Long,
secretary Of the Navy, and James WI
son. Secretary Of Agriculture. Through
the changes these three have kept their
places and are now on thdr third year
Of National serWtude.
The first changes IN the Mckinley Cab
met occurred IN 1898. IN April of that
wear. after fifteen months of service
James A. CARY, of Mary and, withdrew,
and Charles Emory Smith, OF Pcnnsyl-
vana. succeeded him.
At almost the same limo John Sher-
man Secretary Of State. withdrew. The
demands Of the war with Spain were 100
much for his falling health. lie felt
that he was too old a man for the
place and his appointment was regard
ed from the first as an honorary one.
rather than an active measure. For this
reason William r.. Day was appointed as
assistant and AN able assistant he prov
ed himself
The withdrawal Of the Ohio veteran
was not at all a surprise; indeed, 1t had
long been awaited. Nor was there any
surprise when the announcement was
made that the President had decided 20
Gail into mis- Cabinet hs the premier
william r. Day. who had commended
himself % The country as an able. far
seeing. safe adviser In his capacity as
assistant Secretary Of State at a time
when the Secretary Of State was unable
to rcspond 90 an the demands of that inn
portaut place.
Secretary Days tenure Of office WAS
brief The place had sought him, hut IL
was well known that 81 was not con-
genial. and that he desired TO withdraw
as soon as the war with Spain was enc
cd when that contamination was prac-
ucaly assured Mr. Day did resign hut
IN important capacity of president OF the
peace Commission al Paris. Ills duties
ln that place completed. he retired TO the
quiet Of his home at Canton, refusing So
fake up again the State portfolio and
confronting himself with accepting the
mdeship of United States Court I'm
Ohio. To was a thrusting away Of hlsh
honors which was as impressive as 10
was unusual
His successor I'm the department Of
state was the Hon. John Hay of Ohio,
who was recalled from the United states
embassy at London where he had serV-
ed with dignity and usefulness He was
appointed Secretary of State on Septem-
Der a. 1898.
In the beginning of 1898 Judge Ste
pben Field had retired from the bench OF
the supreme Court ON account old age.
and the Hon Joseph McKeuna. Attorney
General was appointed 20 succeed him. Al
that time the Hon. John w. Grggs was
governor Of New Jersey; a man most
popular with the people. But. ON the
Presidents solicitation b. was persuad-
cd TO resign from the gubernatorial chair
and accept tie portfolio of the Attorney
General.
The DEPARTMENT OF Interior has had
TWO ncumbents The first man appoint
cd was Cornelius Bliss, of New York
But I'm December 1SW Mr. Bliss re-
signed and was succeeded 10y Ethan Al
len Hitchcock OF Missouri afr. Hitch
cock was at that time stationed in the
embassy at ST. Petersburg but he left
there 10 accept the office of the interior.
The Cabinet. as IL VIII be this fan
when the President calls the first meet
inc. will consist OF John Hay Secretary
Of state: Lyman j. Gage. Secretary OF
the Treasury. Elihu Root Secretary OF
War: John w. Griggs. Attorney-General,
Charles T.. Smith. Postmaster-General.
John D. Long Secretary OF the Navy,
ethan Allen Hitchcock. Secretary of the
interior. and James wilson. Secretary of
Agrfctflture