Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-14
NO ONE SAID HIM NAY
Tho President. Having Prepared Himself,
Makes an Address In Which He Reviews
tho Work of His Administration, and
Claiming Tint tho Recent Election Was
an Endorsemcnt-HIs omciai House.
hold Urged to Continue Unbrolsen for the
Next Four Ycars-A Love Feast.
(By Telegraph to virginian-Pilot)


dent Mckinley to-day announced clear
ly and forcefuly to the members OF
his Cabinet his desire that they should
all remain with him during the four
years of his coming administration.
His wishes were made known In an
extended speech at the Cabinet meet
ing in the White House to-day Re
Sponses were made by all of the men,
bers present. and while there were no
definite pledges from any of them that
they would accept the portfolios thus
rendered afresh, there was, on the
other hand. no definite declnation.
DOUBTS SET AT REST.
To-day's proceedings set forth the
wishes of the President in the matter
and relieves the members of the Cabi-
net of the customary obligation of ten
dering their designations at the end of
the term unless they have made an
irreNocable decision that 1t will be inn
possible for them TO continue in Office.
IL also sets at rest all speculation and
slate making Of the country's political.
prophets, for 1t is understood generally
thut there is but one doubtful factor
In the homegeneity OF the present
Cabinet That factor is Attorney Gen
eral Griggs, as he holds his present
position at a great financial sacrifice.
Still. Mr.. Griggs replied in terms of
warm appreciation to the compliment
tnry remarks of the President and
voiced no intention OF retiring from
his present position.
REVIEWED HIS ADMINISTRA-
TION.
This is not the first time the Presi-
dent has expressed to the members of
the Cabinet his pleasure at the support
they had given him. He said as much
IN .
meeting when the members, several of
whom had been scattered by the politi-
cal campaign. got together for the first
time and congratulated him upon the
outcome of the election. To-day the
President evidently had prepared for
the occasion and in his address review
ed the work of the administration in
the past four years-four of the most
exciting years the country has known
In three decades. 1t was rather a sur
prise even to the Cabinet members
themselves to note how accurately 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.
MUTUAL ENDORSEMENT.
He said that If the result of the re-
cent election was an endorsement OF
his administration, it was no less an
endorsement OF the men who had stood
by him in the time of stress and neces-
sity. The credit for success, he said
lay with the heads of his various de-
partments and he should shrink from
entering upon another four years of
Office unless he could be assured that
he would have with him n 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 ne should
feel happier If all of them could graft
fly his wish.
SECRETARY HAY.
Secretary Hay was the first to re-
spond. He said that for his part he
deeply appreciated the complimentary
references made by his chief and that
he thought there was not u member OF
the Cabinet who would sever such
pleasant official relations without re-
gret. and even then in case of the most
urgent reasons for retirement.
OTHER RESPONSES.
Secretaries Gage. Long, Hitchcock.
Wilson. Attorney General Griggs and
postmaster General Smith each spoke
in turn and in much the same vein
Secretary Root was the only absent
member from the meeting. having left
for Cuba to look over military affairs
there and at the same time to try to
recuperate from his long and serious
illness. The list of responses, there
fore, was all but complete. 1t is known
that Secretary Root is in much the
same position as Attorney General
Griggs, holding his position at consid-
cradle sacrifice, but willing at the
same time to sacrifice n good deal to
comply with the expressed wish of the
President.
REAL LOVE FEAST.
The meeting, which had developed
INTO Il real love feast then returned to
the more common place affairs of rou-
tlnc business and the discussion of the
sallcnt features of the Presidents
coming message to Congress- after
which the members left with renewed
expressions OF regard. The meeting
stands as one of the most remarkable
Cabinet sessions on record.
THE ANNUAL REPORTS.
each or the members furnished a
forecast OF his annual report. but none
of the reports were in shape for formal
presentation. 1t was practically de-
cided that the recommendation II tho
message on the subject of the war rev
enue taxes. Will advocate a small re-
duction, scaling down the total revenue
about $15.00000O. Just where this do
crease will be made has not been de-
termined. Considerable attention viii,