The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-23
CABINET MEMBERS UNEASY.
FORMER EVIDENCES OF CORDIAL
FEELING ARE ABSENT.


tive Changes, All of Which Seem
to BE without Definite Founda-
tion--Gage and Hitchcock Said to
BE Slated for the GuiIIotine and
Allison of Iowa Talked of for n
Place in the Presidential Family.
Washington, Nov. 21.-Again the po-
litical atmosphere is enveloped in
dense fog of runlors concerning pros
pective changes in President Roose-
velts cabinet. Inquiries at the White
House and confidential talks with
members of the Presidents official
family fail to reveal any substantial
foundation for these reports, so per-
sistently and circumstantially made
by persons who claim to have we'll
grounded authority for their state
ments. There is no doubt but what a
strong pressure is being brought to
bear upon President Roosevelt. in the
interests of more than one man, who
is anxious to occupy seat at the cabi-
net table. It is possible that the per-
sonnet of the cabinet may undergo a
change before the new year dawns, but
from the information l have 1 do not
regard it as probable.
While the relations between the
President and the members of his cab
met do not appear to be the least bit
strained, it is not difficult to appreci-
ate the fact that the same conditions
do not exist in the cabinet room now
which prevailed during the Mckinley
administration. There is no lack OF
friendly feeling or party loyalty but
there seems to be an indef1nable some
Of kInn MA he
of the cabinet which indicates an I'M
easiness, an unrest or an over-cautious-
ness which was not so perceptible SIX
months ago. Under their former CHIEF
members Of the cabinet would enter
the White House on cabinet days,
laughing and chatting together IN the
most free and easy manner. NOW they
approach the cabinet table, solemn and
deliberate, suggesting group of pre-
viously merry school boys, trying to
make a dignified impression on new
master.
While there Is so much gossip and
speculation being published it is but
natural that members of the cabinet
should have their attention drawn to
the subject, and some of them doubt
less discuss the subject with their
friends. One of the members. in deny
ing to me a report that he contem-
plated resigning his portfolio, for rea-
sons not necessary to mention here.
said: ct would be unusual and almost
unprecedented for the membership or
a cabinet to remain intact for TOUR
years Changes occur in every cabinet,
and ! anticipate there will be several
changes in the present cabinet Just
when they may occur / am sure do
not know Circumstances may arise
which may render it not only neces-
sary. but personally convenient for all
interested to make certain changes.
Such changes can be made without any
friction or without giving offense 10
any one 1t is in accord with the pre-
vious history of our government. 1t IL
idle for any one TO suggest that GER
tain members of the cabinet are simply
holding on until President Roosevelt
becomes familiar with the public bust
ness. so he can dispense with the SER
vices of one or more of the gentlemen
who sit around his cabinet table. it
is but Just to him to say that ne Is
sufficiently acquainted with public az
fairs to run the White House with an
entirely new cabinet.
Inst now the self-constituted cabinet
thinkers have out their hammers ana
they are using them with exceeding
vigor upon Secretaries Gage and Hitch
cock. 1t is claimed that Secretary
Gage is sore over the way he was ig-
nored in the selection OF a new collec-
tor for the port Of New York. DOUBT
very much is Secretary Gage lost
moments sleep over the selection OF
Collector Bidwell Secretary Gage IS
practical business man. and ne Is
probably the ablest Secretary of the
Treasury this country has had during
the present generation. The business
peoule of the country have conn.,
dence in his wisdom and Judgment
in dealing with financial affairs, ana
they realize that although they may
differ with him on questions OF pohcy'
they appreciate the fact that ne is Sole
ard conservative and commercially
sound.
Again the figure Of the smooth. non
committal. easy-g going Senator Allison,
IS dragged from it's comfortable ana
well-worn resting place at the neaa Oh
the Republican party IN the Olllteu
States, and held up as the next occu-
pant of the chair of the Secretary oil
the Treasury. If Senator Allison was
ever ambitious to be Secretary or the
Treasury he has had ample emporium
tiles to have his desire in that direc-
ticn, gratified under previous Republi-
can administrations. There is scarcely
a Republican President since Grant
who has not rendered him a cabinet po-
sition. Allison is too foxy TO accept
place in any mans cabinet. He might
have. at one time, been ambitious 10
sit at the head OF cabinet table, but
not as a secretary. He appreciates thar
the office OF United States senator Is
more dignified, easier 10 fill, and alto
gether more desirable from almost any
standpoint from which IL may be view
"a, consequently IL would be impossi-
BILE 10 tempt him 10 leave the Senate
70 DO the clerical work Of a cabinet Of
1csr
II Is said that the Iowa Republicans
are anxious 10 GUST Allison from the
senate, as John sherman was treated
Pm Ohio. While no man should be de-
plsed for aspiring 10 a seat IN the
nlted states Senate, u IL pretty safe
20 predict that William y. Allison can
I'tain his seat In the senate a. long
ne desires 20 occupy a. lie 10 well
'9Fahced IN years n d true. but be 10
go of tho beet conserved men in The
fnaie today, ana 30 looks 20 be good
several more terms ~ 81 years