The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-23
LONG WILL NOT RESIGN.
Naval Secretary Denies That
Rumor.
lie Intends 60 serve Out His Full
Term.
lBoston Transcript. }

A rumor was published this morning
to the effect that Secretary Long intended
to resign his position in the Cabinet at
once. He has been at his home at Hing
ham since last Saturday, and when he
was seen there this morning by Tran
script representative he had no hesitan-
cy In saying that there was no founda-
tion for the rumor. lie declared that he
had every intention of filling out his en-
tire term as Secretary OF the Navy. OF
course something Unforeseen might come
up which would influence him to change
his mind, but he did not expect that any
thing Of the sort would occur.
The secretary was the picture OF health
as he sat on his breezy veranda, and his
appearance did not in the least belle his
words when he said, in reply to a ques-
ton as to his opinion Of the Philadelphia
convention decision, that he was not at
all disappointed to see the Vice Presi-
dental nomination going to Roosevelt
In conversation further, he said:
II really had no serious expectation
that the nomination would come to Mas
sachusetts, for political reasons which
are very obvious. These are. that Massa-
ehusetts is not pivotal state, and in
cases like the present. where the head OF
the ticket Is practically determined be-
forehand, 1t is to be expected that the
Vice Presidential nomination will go to a
pivotal state, where it can gain strength
for the party. The nomination given to
Massachusetts, could Nave done no good.
In q great state like New York or in u
section like the great Middle West II can
not fail 10 have very important effect.
Personally, IL Is not the slightest dis
appointment 10 me that my name was
not selected. My present position is one
accredited with much more Importance
and much more of pleasure In the form
of its work and duties than that of Vice
President, though the Vice Presidency Is
attractive for the high honor which at
taches to 1t and for the leisure afforded.
"But i placed myself entirely in the
hands of the Massachusetts delegation,
satisfied to have them use my name in
whatever way they thought WISE"
1T was said that you had sent letter
withdrawing your name. Is that soy'
was asked the secretary.
1.-The only communication | ever sent,
he replied, Twas in answer to Mr.. PUNK
cts telegram yesterday. He told me
what they had done, and l replied that
whatever the Massachusetts, delegation
tory TO me"
do you feel that the Massachusetts
delegates have done all they conld for
youS"
80 yes, everything. l am perfectly
satisfied. j feel sure, too,'' he went on,
with smile, as he glanced away from
the shady veranda out across the beauti-
full bay, THAT the duties incumbent on
the Vice President would be infinitely
more pleasant to me than those incident
to six months of vice presidential cam
paigning."
1t was suggested that the secretary
knew Governor Roosevelt pretty well.
The S. cretary smiled, and said quickly:
''Yes. He's fine fellow; a good man
for the place. He'll add strength to the
ticket
Wont he give a considerably stronger
imperialistic tone to the ticket than IL
otherwise would have hady'
"Well, l don't know. / should rather
doubt that. President Mckinley is rath-
er strongly inclined that way, Perhaps
Secretary Long went to the Robbins
wedding in bingham this forenoon, and
this evening or tomorrow will go back to
Washington. He Is rather inclined to
think that the Chinese situation will
straighten itself out now that an en-
trance has been gained into Pekin, and
is not apprehensive over the outcome.