New-York tribune., 1900-11-14
CABINET ASKED TO STAY.
PORTFOLIOS FOR HIS SECOND TERM
RENDERED BY THE PRESIDENT
THE MEMBERS EXPRESS A DESIRE TO RE-
MAIN UNLESS PREVENTED BY URGENT
REAsON-GRIGGS AND LONG EX-
PECTED TO RETIRE.
GBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

E.J
Washington Nov. 13-To-day's Cabinet meet
ing was marked by impressive and dramatic
episode. almost unprecedented in it's formaIity
and seriousness compared with the ordinary
sem-weekly conferences between the President
and his chief administrative advisers. The
PRESIDENT. just after the assembling of the Cab
met, Secretary Root alone being absent, asked
every member to remain with him for another
tour years He did in a speech thoroughly
characteristic of the man, and the scene is de-
scr1bed as one of the most interesting in any
Administration OF the country. The President
said that every member of the Cabinet was en-
utied TO share fully in whatever credit was de-
rived by the Administration from the Presiden-
dal election Of last Tuesday. He declared that
each and every member of the Cabinet CO.
operated fully with him in the arduous work OF
the last four years. and that the most kindly
1ee1lngs had existed in the Administrations 8
family circle. He referred to the existing har-
mony and to the lack of any i'll feeling in any
direction. He then declared as he had done be-
fore the Philadelphia Convention that he would
dread to enter another term Of four years unless
he could have around him large number at
least of the present Cabinet He desired to re-
peat that statement now and to invite every
member of the Cabinet to remain with him for
another four years.
All present were visbly affected by the ear
nestness OF the President, and Secretary Hay.
who was the first to respond. declared that he
was sure every member highly appreciated the
sentiments of the President and would not
leave harmonious a Cabinet except for the
most cogent reasons. Secretaries Gage, Long,
Hitchcock and Wilson, Attorney General Griggs
and Postmaster General Smith spoke in similar
terms No member of the Cabinet. however,
gave any intimation in his remarks of what he
might do in regard to accepting the Presidents
invitation.
The Presidents action is regarded as empha-
sizing the continuity of his two administrations
with unchanged policies as we'll as forestalling
the customary and sometimes perfunctory for
NAL designations of all the members of Cabi-
just before the beginning of a Admins
tration and rendering that course unnecessary
except to those who determined to retire
for personal reasons. Attorney General Griggs
is one of these, and Secretary Long is understood
to be another. The desire of the Attorney
General TO return to his law practice is fully
understood and respected by his colleagues,
and 1t is believed that no amount of persuasion
Is likely to modify Secretary Longs anxiety to
be relieved Of such official cares as are in
separable from fighting navy.
In any event, the Cabinet episode this morn
ing is apt to put a stop to general slatemaknG,
especially when coupled with the expressed
opinion among high officials that Governor Alien
OF Porto Rico Is most likely to succeed Secre-
tary Long, and the First Assistant Postmaster
General, Mr.. Johnson. to become attorney GeiiS
eral. Four months, however. may make other
vacancies for consideration
The Cabinet meeting returned to the more
commonplace affairs of routine business and
the discussion Of the salient features OF the
Presidents coming message to Congress- after
which the members left the White House with
renewed expressions of regard.