The Press., 1901-09-26
Washington Letter.
washington, September %, 100,

one tnlng Is certain, however, tHoIo
was no real basis for the rumors, few
days ago, about sweeping changes in the
cabinet. Roosevelt himself was not talk
ing, nor was anybody very near to him
doing so. Senators Platt and Hanna
were not likely to spread reports Of cabi-
net changes, for they did not want any
thing of that kind to happen, and they
showed an eagerness almost pathetic In
letting the public know that 1t was not
going to happen. There was, however,
some reason to suppose that there would
be designations and new appointments of
one sort or another, for various reasons
of party politics. President Roosevelt Is
little like Cleveland in some ways. He
will not be dictated to; he will not be
driven. 1t was therefore believed that he
would surround himself with men who
were in sympathy with him, and on whom
he could rely to carry out his ideas. But
it appears that his ideas are In the main
those of President Mckinley, and that he
thinks that the present cabinet can carry
them out. If 1t cannot, then it will be
time enough to see about changing.
There was report that Roosevelt and
Hay were at opposite ends of the 18TH
mian canal question; but that is incor-
rect. When the Hay-Paunceforte treaty
was expedited it is true Roosevelt disap-
proved of 1t rather decidedly, but since
that time he has come around to ''modi-
fed views, and the secretary of state has
been under the necessity of modifying
the treaty since it was rejected by the
senate, so it is thought President Roose-
velt may sign.
A matter in which Mr.. Roosevelt is
thoroughly in accord with the policy of
theslate president Is In the effort to wipe
out sectional lines. He told two or three
prominent southern congressman the 9TH
er day that he intended to be president of
the whole country and not of any particu-
lar section of it. Among other things he
said that during the Spanish-American
war he had the chance to recommend four
men for promotion, and that three of the
men whom he chose were southerners
A little more of this sort of talk will In
crease the balminess of atmosphere which
makes old stagers In politics declare that
there has been return of the "era OF
good feeling"
Representative Kluttz, the wit Of the
Tar Heel section of the house, was In
Washington this week. and SAYS that ~
has promise from Secretary Wilson to
visit North Carolina late In September
If possible and look into the Appalachian
Park scheme little further. The secre-
tary, with Mr.. Kluttz, Professor MCGEE
and some other Washington scientists,
went on trip to the top of Mount Mitch
ell this summer, and those interested in
the proposed park are anxious that Mr..
Wilson should visit Blowing Rock, the
Grandfather and other picturesque peaks
OF the Appalachian range. 1t is hoped
that an appropriation for the park will be
secured from congress this winter. The
region along the French Broad River is
one of the most picturesque and least
known mountain regions in America, and
If the plan goes through, the whole coun-
try, as well as the North Carolinians in
congress, will undoubtedly have reason
to be glad.
One of the appointments which may be
made in the near future is that of DR..
Rixey, the presidents physician, to the
post of surgeon-general of the navy de-
partment, position now held by DIR. Van
Reypen. Mr.. Mckinley had planned to
make this appointment, and his successor
will carry out his wishes In this and sew
eral other matters.
There Is one official, however, who Is
not likely to share in this advantage, and
that Is General Corbin. He was a per-
sonal friend of Mr.. Mckinley, and of
Hayes and Garfield before him, and he
had some reason to suppose that he would
eventually become acknowledgement of
the army. General Miles is booked to re-
tire in two years, and it is thought that
Corbin confidently expected to succeed
him. This Is not likely to happen in the
present course of events. Corbin and
Roosevelt have not been on the best of
terms, and there Is really no reason for
Corbin's advancement which would not
apply to several other men with whom
the president Is more familiar.
1t is not impossible, of course, that
changes In the cabinet may yet be made,
for reasons Of ill-health in the case of
Secretary Hay. 1t Is thought that If Mr..
Hay should resign Secretary Root would
take his place, and the war portfolio
would be given either to General Francis
V. Greene or to Judge Taft, the chairman
of the Philippines commission. Gen.
Greene is said to be the presidents favor
ed candidate. But all this is In the air
thus far.
The incumbency of a new president,
who, though the youngest of all, has a
larger family than any of his predeces-
sors, has started once more the discussion
of the need of new executive mansion.
There is unfortunately no doubt that the
need. exists, and it Is about time that
something was done in the matter In
this connection some one has recalled
that when President Mckinley was elect
ed for his first term some one said that
Mrs. Mckinley could not live a year In a
house 80 draughty and inconvenient
The president. elect at once aAt ahont con.
irving a plan by which the draughts
could be lessened, and carried 1t out, to
the increased comfort of all the inmates
OF the white house. But 1t really seems
as II a country as rich as this could afford
to build a new house for it's chief execu-
tive. 1t Is a fact, though not generally
known, that the president of the United
States does not even have bathroom
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