The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-11-14
NONE HAS YET REFUSED
Secretary Root, Now in Cuba, the Only
Member Absent.
MEETING DEVELOPS INTO LOVE FEAST
Some Reduction Of War Revenue Taxes viii be
Advocated in the Presidential Mes
soge. Much Attention Win be
Given 10 Nicaraguan Canal.
(By the Associated Press.l


Washington, Nov 13.--President Nc
Knley today announced clearly and force
fully to the members of his cabinet his
desire that they should all remain with
him during the fodr years of his coming
administration. His wishes were made
known in an extended speech at the cab
met meeting in the White House today.
Responses were made by all of the mem
beTs present, and while there were no
definite pledges from any of them that
they would accept the portfolios thus ten
hand, no definite declination.
Todays proceedings set forth the
wishes of the President in the matter
and relieves the members of the cabinet
from the customary obligation of tender
ing their designations at the end of the
term unless they have made an irrevoca-
BILE decision that it will be impossible for
them to continue in office. 1t also sets
at rest all speculation and slate making
of the country's political prophets, for
it is understood generally that there is
but Que doubtful factor in the homo
geneity of the present cabinet. That
factor Is, Attorney General Griggs, as he
holds his present position at great
financial sacrifice. Still, Mr.. Griggs re-
piled in terms of warm appreciation to
the complimentary remarks of the Presi-
dent and voice no intention of retiring
from his present position.
This is not the first time that the Pres
ident has expressed to the members Of
fhe 1T ,oln
they have given. lie said as much in
a general way at the last cabinet nee-
ing, when the members. several of whom
had been scattered by the political cam
paign, got together for the first time
and congratulated him upon the outcome
Of the election. Today the President evil
IDENTIFY had prepared for the occasion and
in his address reviewed the, work of the
Administration in the past four years
four of the most exciting years the coun-
try has known in three decades. 1t was
rather surprise even to the cabinet
members themselves to note how accu-
rately the President had fixed in his
memory the sequence Of events, and how
calmly he relinquished the personal credit
for successful strokes of policy or pru-
dence and attributed the honor to the
members of his official family in whose
immediate department the matter in
question had arisen.
He said that If the result of the recent
election was endorsement of his Admins
tration ii was no less an endorsement of
the men who had stood by him in the time
of stress and necessity The credit for
success, he said. lay in the heads of the
various departments, and he should
shrink from entering upon another four
years OF office unless he could be assured
that he would have sith him a majority
at least Of the men who formed his pres
ent official household He said he Knew
that in asking them to remain with him
there was scarcely one who could DO so
without some sacrifice either of money
leisure or personal inclination. At the
same time, he said he would feel hap
pier IL all of them could crafty his wish.
Secretary Hay was the first to respond
He said that for his part he deeply ap-
preciated the complimentary references
made by his chief and that he thought
there was not a member of the cabinet
would would sever such pleasant official
relations without regret, and only then
in case Of most urgent reasons for re-
tirement.
Secretaries Gage, Long, Hitchcock. Will
son, Attorney General Griggs and Post
master General Smith each spoke in turn
and in much the same vein. Secretary
Root was the only member absent from
the meeting, having left for Cuba to look
over military affairs there and at ths
same time to try to recupcrate from his
long and serious Illness. IT is known
that Secretary Root is in much tho same
position as Attorney General Grggs. hold
ing his position at considerable sacr-
flee. but willing at the same time TO sac
rificc good deal to comply with the
expressed wish OF the President.
The meeting, which had developed into
real love feast, then returned to the
more commonplace affairs Of routine busi-
ness and the discussion of the salient
features of the Presidents coming mes
sage TO Congress, after which the mem
bers left with renewed expressions Of re-
gard. The meeting stands as one Of the
most remarkable cabinet sessions on
record
Each OF the members furnished d fore
east Of his annual report. but none of
the reports We're in shape for formal rre-
senfation. 1t was practically decided that
INC recommendation In the message on
thc subject Of the war revenue taxes will
advocate small reduction. scaling down
mo total revenue abut SIS. 900 900. Just
where this decrease will be made is not