Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-21
Out of the Race.

Out of the Race.
Attorney General Griggs will not allow
his name considered in the list of others.
He prefers to retain his position and would
not accept the War Department portfolio
1t is said that Ambassador Porter, whose
name was so prominently under considera-
tion by the President yesterday, may now
be dropped from the list of probabilities
unless the President fails to secure the
men he desires. General Porter does no.
want to leave Paris. OF course if tn,
President should tender him the appoint
rnent If is said that he would consider it in
the nature of a command and accent II
he should be asked if he wanted the place
he would answer that he did not.
1t is declared that Gen James H. Wilson
now in Cuba. is not in the race. He is
from small state, and the Presidents :
wish Is that the place shall go to one of the
larsest republican states, New York having
the preference.
Nobody believes that Governor Roosevelt
would accept the position. He aspires to
reelection and to the republican nomina- =
ton for President in 1904. The War De-
partment position is coming to be looked
upon as grave yard for the political am
billions of men in public life. There is M I
a member OF the cabinet who would take
the position today unless at the urgent per-
sonal request of the President and a ma
Jorlty OF them would probably decIlne tvcn
then The next Secretary of Wa will have
a hard road to travel, and tha-a VIII be no
pleasure for him from the beginning
secretary Ager at Cabinet Meeting
Secretary Alger was as busy at his desk
this morning as though he intended to re-
main for another year. As matter Of
fact he has abandoned the intention he en-
tertained of quitting as soon as Mr. Meikle-
john arrived, and has concluded to dis
charge all of the duties as Secretary of War
until the date set for his resignation, Au-
went over to the cabinet meeting at IL
o'clock today. taking with him a number
of routine matters of business which he
thought should be submitted to the Presi-
dent and his colleagues in the cabinet. He
was particularly pleased TO be able to carry
over General Otis telegram announcing the
sweeping victory of Captain Byrne over the
united robbers on Negros. a victory which
may result in the officer obtaining a we'll
deserved promotion
The Secretary was pleasantly received
There were no farewells, as the Secretary
expects TO be present at one or two more
meetings before seyering his relations with
the administration.
At the cabinet session the President dis
cussed with his advisers the various names
under consideration for the war portfolio
the strong points of each man, and the ad-
visibility of Offering the position 1t is
said the mer talked of We're the same as
those mentioned in The Star yesterday, no
new names being suggested.
me biscussion the Cabinet.
The question of Gen. Ayers successor
was not mentioned in the cabinet today
until after he had left the conference
chamber. Then for half an hour those
who remained behind with the President
discussed informally the names of those
who had been under consideration for
the vacancy These included Elihu Root,
Ambassador Porter, Gov. Roosevelt Gen.
James H. Wilson, Gen. leonard Wood.
Gen Harrison Gray Otis and Gen. Francis
V. Greene
AFTER canVassing the names with singI1-
lar unanimity the members of the cabinet
agreed with the President that the man
pre-emlnenuy fitted for the post was Mr.
Root. and there is no doubt the President
mas made up his mind to tender the war
portfolio TO him. but that no formal tender
had been made up TO the time the cabinet
ADJOURNED, at l-lo I'm, can be positively
asserted.
The members of the cabinet themselves
were unusually reticent after the meeting
touching all points relating to the question
of Cen Ayers successor
Secretary Gage brought before the cabi-
net the nnal adjustment In the matter of
the France-American reciprocity treaty
anc general satisfaction was expressed over
the assurances of Secretary Hay and him
sell That the treaty would be an accom-
pished fact save for the Senate's ratifica-
tion Within twenty-four hours Postmas-
Ter General Smith also brought up some
matter In connection with the postal reve-
nue. in Manila -