Evening star., 1901-12-24

Washington for a conference with P"esi-
dent Roosevelt. He is expected to reach
Washington tonight or tomorrow morning,
and will see the President at once.
The general belief is that Governor Shaw
will accept the offer and that he will be
able to enter the Treasury Department by
February 1. His business and political af-
fairs are thought to be in good shape for
immediate acceptance.
The tender of the position was wired to
Governor Shaw by the President yesterday
after Governor Crane had regretfully sent
a declination Of the offer made to him. The
Presidents action leaked out in Iowa and
late last night was officially confirmed at
the White House.
The Presidents quick action was some
what of a surprise, but furnishes a good
idea of how promptly the President dis
poses of any matter that is before him for
solution.
Personal Selection.
Governor Shaw is one of the men whose
names have been given consideration since
the President found that he would be un-
able to prevail upon Secretary Gage to re-
main in the cabinet. Both Secretary Will
son and Senator Allison were spoken to as
to the Presidents intentions, but the Presi-
dent himself selected Governor Shaw, who
is personally well-known to him. In fact
the two men have campaigned together at
different times, have attended banquets to-
gether, and the President has listened to
speeches by Governor Shaw on financial
matters. These speeches have always
shown deep knowledge by Governor Shaw
of weighty financial questions and have
impressed the President.
Before he was elected governor of Iowa,
Governor Shaw was banker, and is said
to be fairly well off in the possession of
nr1I 11 o1.-,,
squarely for the gold standard in the state
campaign Of Iowa in 1897, at time when
there was serious doubt as to whether
straddling would not be better for the re-
publicans. On the question of finance, Gov
ernor Shaw Is regarded as sound. Secre-
tary Gage today paid Governor Shaw
compliment by saying that he was well
qualified for the position.
Secretary Gage is readqy to relinquish his
position to suit the convenience of the in
coming Secretary. He is ready to retire
early in January whenever Governor
Shaw may feel that he wants to enter the
office.
Governor Shaw's selection will not work
against Secretary Wilson. They are both
personal friends, and it has long been rec
ognized that a President names his cabinet
to suit himself without reference to geo.
graphical conditions unless he desires to
consider these. President Mckinley had
two Pennsylvania men in his cabinet at
the same time, although when he asked
that 1t was the intention of Mr.. Smith to
retire from the Post Office Department in
the course of time.
Governor Shaw Is f1fty-three years old.
he Eva was born IN Norristown, VT, November
2, 184S He graduated from Cornell College
at Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1874 and since
1875 has practiced law in that state His
home is at Dennison. Iowa, where he was
president Of bank for long time
Governor Shaw delivered an address at
the White House last December on the oc-
casion of the centennial celebration in this
city.
Governor Shaw was put forward by SEN
ator Allison several months Sago as suitable
timber for the republican presidential nomi-
nation In 1904. If Governor Shaw still has
aspirations in that line he may not wish to
accept the offer made to him.
Representative McCIeary's Opinion.
Il am delighted at the prospect of the ap-
pointment Of my friend Governor Shaw Of
Iowa as Secretary Of the Treasury" said
Representative McCleary Of Minnesota to-
day. The governor is in every way well
ntted for the position, and will prove
worthy successor of Secretary Gage. He
knows men in all ranks of hfe and is thor
oughiy familiar with national finance. He
is man Of the highest character and OF
rare ability He has the affectionate re-
gard of the northwest and the confidence
Of the leading men Of the entire country.
Since We cannot keep Postmaster Cen
eral Smith and Secretary Gage longer In the
positions which they have so admirably
filled, the President Is to be congratulated
on securing such exceptionally able men as
Henry c. Payne and Leslie NJ. Shaw as
their successors. OF course we Of the
northwest feel proud and grateful that the
selections were made from our section of
the country.
TT will be noted in this connection that
while both Mr.. Payne and Governor Shaw
are far-seeing politicians in the best sense
of that term, both come clearly within the
Presidents well-known views as to civil
service appointments and promotions, Mr.
Payne having had his fitting for the du-
ties Of Postmaster General through long
and successful experience as postmaster at
Milwaukee, while Governor Shaw won his
spurs as one of the foremost figures in that
mightiest political contest ever waged in
this country, the great battle of the standL
ards in the presidential campaign of 1896 !"
GOV. SHAW EN- ROUTE HERE.
Left Des MOines. Iowa, Last Evening"
Declined Interviews.
A dispatch from Des Moines, Iowa. last
night says: Governor Shaw left for the east
i tonight As the train pulled out he said:
Il have seen the newspaper dispatches
(which state that have been selected by