The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-19
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND HIS
CABINET.

and theodore Roosevelt TO the PreSidenc,
one may find number of striking par
allels.
Both elevated to the Chief Magistrac,
by the deadly work of an assassin's bull
let
Both feared by their political enemies
and distrusted by their friends Arthur
was considered ga mere politician,
Roosevelt is regarded as wild and fan
tastic.'
Both Immediately declared a purpose
to continue the policy of their predeces
sor.
Both requested the old Cabinet to re.
main intact for the time being.
Notwithstanding these facts, bcth failed
to command the confidence held by theil
predecessors" Arthur, however, became
a dignified and conservative President
and his administration was more than
fairly successful. What Roosevelt's will
be remains to be seen.
The new President will undoubtedly en-
deavor to keep his promise as 10 carry
ing out his predecessors policy, but that
the members of Mr.. McKinley's Cabinet
will long remain in office is too much to
expect.
And here again the Arthur adn.inistra-
tion may serve us as guide. President
Garfield died September 10, or only five
days later than President Mckinley in
the corresponding month twenty years
after. Garfield's Cabinet remained intact
under President Arthur until we'll into
October, when Secretary Window, of the
Treasury Department, determined to re-
sign in order to return to the Senate His
successor, Mr.. Folger, did not take charge
of the department until November 10
Mr.. Brewster succeeded Mr.. MacVeagh as
Attorney General December 16, and Mr.
Blaine retired from the State Department
withdrew about New Years Thus the
Arthur Cabinet was not thoroughly recon
structed until some three months after
General Arthur's accession to power
while no changes at all were made for at
least month thereafter.
1t is believed by statesmen generally
and by Republican politicians at the cap
ital that the administration of the af-
fairs of President Roosevelt will ulti-
m0ta1v mako a ~
ers, but that the general principles of the
late President will remain unchanged.
Even already there come from Wash
ington rumors of contemplated or prob
able changes in the Cabinet. The dis
patches point to Secretary of War Elihu
Root as the rising star. He seems to be
the new Presidents chief adviser and it
is predicted that he Will WELD tremend-
Gus power in the new administration And
in this connection the following from an
editorial in the New York Sun, recog-
nzed administration organ is most sig
nificant:
For following the Mckinley path in
politics, which President Roosevelt an
nounces that he will follow, the Cabinet
as it stands will be of great assistance.
No one would complain seriously if it
should remain with the new President
absolutely intact, and it would surely in
crease the general sense of security. For
our own part we should be entirely con-
tent to see Secretary Hay keep his post
and put the undeniable excellence in his
qualities as public man at the Presi-
dents disposal. 1t is not with the slight
est thought Of excepting him from the
Presidents favorable consideration that
We mention Mr.. Hay, but to say that in
case he should conclude to abandon the
State Department, the man to take his
great place in the council of the State is
clearly Elihu Root, the present Secre-
tary of War;
There has been some talk of Senator
Lodge. of Massachusetts,, as Secretary of
State, but it is believed that both Mr..
Lodge and President Roosevelt will pre-
fer that he remain to aid the President
in the Senate, as it is we'll known that
both agree perfectly on questions of for
eign policy, and both are ardent expan-
sionists. Also it seems to be settled that
Senator Lodge is to become chairman of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, where
he will become the executive officer of
the President in shaping all matters per-
tanning to foreign policies. Should Mr.
Lodge be prevailed upon to accept the
premiership, it is probable that Senator
Proctor, of Vermont, will become the
Presidents personal representative on the
floor. There has always been warm
personal friendship between these two.
That there will be changes in the Cabi-
net, there can be no doubt. Just who
Of the present officers will go and who re-
main, it is perhaps too early to predict,
other than what is above stated in re-
gard to Secretary Root.