Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-10-30

main in that position because of the
strong desire of President Roosevelt.
The fact that the secretary of war
is the only member of the cabinet
who it is believed will positively con-
tinue in that relationship recalls the
fact that all of the members of Gar
fields cabinet retired upon the acces-
sion of President Arthur except the
secretary of war, Robert T. Lincoln.
Upon the death of President Garfield
and the accession of Vice President Ar
thur all of the members of the Gar
field cabinet were requested to re-
main, and they did so; but only for
time, Mr.. Lincoln alone continuing
in office throughout the Arthur admin
istra ton.
Because of his exceptional abilities
as an agriculturist, and his demon
strated executive abilities, the Iowa
friends of Secretary Wilson, of the de-
partment of agriculture, believe that
he will be urged and almost required to
continue at the head of the department
which he has been so ably developing
for the farmers during the past four
years.
Attorney General Knox has occupied
the position but a few months, but
most acceptably to President McKin-
ley and the country. He was reluctant
to accept office, but did so at the ear
nest solicitation of President McKin-
ley, when Attorney General Griggs an
nounced that it was practically impos-
sible for him to continue in that place.
The attorney genera4and the postmas-
ter general are both from the state of
Pennsylvania, and it is anomalous that
two members of the cabinet should
hail from the same commonwealth, all
though it is not without precedent.
Mr.. Knox has said without hesitation
that he sincerely desires that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will select another at
torney general within a reasonable
time, and it seems quite likely that he
will do so by the time the congress con-
venes on the first Monday in Deem
Der, as it is constitutiOnally required
to convene. At that time it is general
ly understood that President Roosevelt
will send to the senate the nominations
of several members of the cabinet;
and, of course, they will be confirmed
without delay.
There will be no, dramatic resigna-
tions. There have been very few
dramatic designations in the history
of the republic. President Grant ac-
cepted the resignation of Secretary
Belknap, when it was dramatically
presented. Bell1nap was Grants
friend and Grant was his friend.
Belknap was suspected of maladmin-
istration. Grant did not believe the
charges; but he accepted the resig-
nation in order that Belllnap might
be better circum3tanced to defend
himself. The resignation and accept
ance were in all friendship and kind
ness on the part of the president and
the secretary.
The dramatic resignation of Blaine,
in 1892, and its prompt acceptance by
President Harrison, was the culmina-
ton of bitter animosities and
strained political relations. From the
then secretary of agriculture, Secre-
tary Rusk, the writer learned of that
incident. The cabinet was in session
when Mr.. Blaine appeared. He in
formed the president that commits
sioners from Canada were awaiting
him at the department. of state, and
begged to be excused from the cabi-
net meeting. President Harrison
took Blaine by the arm and walked
to a window with him. Not more
than two or three sentences passed
between them, when Mr.. Blaine was
heard to say: "That can be settled
very quickly" Blaine bowed to all
the members of the cabinet, went
forth from the white house, and in
side of ten minutes his resignation
was in Harrison's hands. What Har-
rison said, nobody ever knew. It
was enough to anger Blaine, and he
resigned. President Har-
rison was as prompt in action, Tor he
wrote his acceptance of
Blaine's resignation and sent it by
special messenger.
There will be no dramatic with
drawa1s from Roosevelt's cabinet. All
will be done decently and in order
and without haste. Public business
will not be disturbed, and public af-
fairs will continue serene as the in
eyitable changes occur.
SMITH D. FRY.