Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-12-27
Ihe Chance in the Treasury Department.

the second change in the cabinet OF
President Roosevelt is about TO occur.
and this time II is the treasury de-
partment which is to have a new head
The administration of Secretary Gage
has been strong. successful and popu-
lar. During a critical period in our
financial history he has been the right
man for his important part. and the
sound money legislation and policies OF
the MCKINLEY administration which
restored business confidence and put
our country upon such a sound finan-
cial basis were carried out under his
direct supervision. After almost five
wears of the arduous work and heavy
responsibilities of this position, Secre-
tary Gage has earned a change and Il
lighter task. and the best wishes of the
whole country will g with him.
There is not the slightest foundation
for any idea that his retirement is due
To- friction or unpleasant relations with
Inc new President. And the same MAJ
be. said in the case of Postmaster Cen
eral smith. There is every reason TO
believe that the cabinet which came to
President Roosevelt from his prede-
crssor has been in full sympathy with
him and that all relations have been
most cordial. That there should be
changes IS inevitable There We're
MANY during President McKinleys adj
ministration and there will doubtless
be others in this cabinet. 1t would
il,ye been the natural thing. indeed.
for all the cabinet members TO retire
when the new President came into
Office, but his earnest request and
their devotion to their public duty Leo
mem all to remain. Now that the
transition period is over, it is Il he cX-
pected that there should b. some
The nature of the new appointments
is such "a Is to he expected Fl ln Pres
dent Roosevelt. They are rcassuring
To the country and give gratifying
proof that the exceptional strength OF
the Mckinley cabinet is TO be main
tanned. For the successor TO secretary
Gage the first choice was Governor
Crane of Massachusetts, about To en-
ter upon his third term. But the p1pu-
Staf fal
MS duty was to his state and So de-
,lined the high honor. a determination
which caused regret everywhere except
among the people of Mass3chrset
who have such pride in the governor
ship that they would be shocked to
have a man resign it to accept even
the presidency.
AS next choice. President Roosevelt
extended the treasuryship portfolio II
Governor Leslie NJ. Shaw of Iowa, and
his acceptance gives widespread salts
faction. Governor Shaw is one OF the
ablest men of the West. but has not
long been prominent in politics He is
!, native of Vermont. SO years OF age,
n iiwyer and a banker and will retire
from his second term as governor in
January His fame, and. in fact, his
election to his office. was due 70 his
remarkable canvas Of Iowa in 1896 for
Mckinley and the gold standard. He
leaned TO the front as a party leader
and his nomination and election 10 the
sovernorship followed in 1897. 80 the
tinanceers of the land need not worry
about the attitude of the new secretary
on the treasury question. SO sound
and well known are his views that he
was called to preside over the Cu"-
rency congress which met in In
dianapolis in 1898. The President is
wise in recognizing the West in Sc
,ecting the new head of the treasury
department, and his choice of man is
u most happy one.