Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1901-09-27
THE WASHINGTON LETTER.

fffum ONf fNNAulhE NaHNiANtbhN'I
WASHINGTON, d. c.. SEPT 16, 1901.
President Roosevelt has nnnounc-
ed his desire that all the members
Of the present cabinet retain their
places. Like most Of the news au-
thorized by him, this Is decis-
i've and unqualified He has II way
of telling newspaper men just as
much of his business as he thinks
fit, and then, with a pleasant smile,
shutting his mouth and the door on
them simultaneously This is all
right for the press representatives
who are really after the news,
but it is hard on the SEN
sation mongers. They have
no hints or rumors or half truths on
which TO build headlines.
There is a considerable sensation,
however, in this simple announce
ment, for very few people Thought
that Roosevelt would do just what
he has done. All sorts Of surmises
were flying about concerning the
changes in the cabinet, which were
Immediately to take place, and
some audacious Washington corre-
spondents had the temerity to state
positively that nearly the whole
cabinet would "suffer sea- change
into something rich and strange.
They even went so far as to give
the names of the resigning officers
and Of those who would fill their
places. They must be disappointed
to find that after all this cackllng
they have really nothing TO tell. It
is hard when the advertisement is
more exciting than the show. There
is only one sensation in It instead Of
half dozen, and that one is that
man who was thought by many
people to be radical, almost revolu-
tionary, turns out to be wisely con
servative.
Those who know Roosevelt we'll,
however, are not so much surprised
as others. His action in this matter
has steadied public sentiment, estab-
lished confidence in him and in the
administration, and had a good ef-
feet in every way Nothing could
have been gained by a change which
has not been won twice over by this
conservatism, and it has had all the
stronger effect because unexpected.
If Roosevelt had been a weak or
commonplace man, one who follow.
ed the beaten path because it is
easiest, his decision might have
been considered the resultant of
several co-existing party forces, and
his stability would have only been
matter of the continued union of
these forces. But he is not that
kind of man his worst enemies
never accused him of being easily
influenced. He chose this course
because his Judgment and his in
stincts told him that it was best I;
and if the whole party had been
against it he would have done the
same thing. This being so, his
steadiness and conservatism can be
depended upon until circumstances
plainly indicate that it is best to
move, and then he will do so, just
as he retained the cabinet, on his
own responsibility.
Some of the senators of Roose-
velt's party, and other prominent
public men, who have been inter-
viewed, plainly show by their CON-
ments their thorough approval of
tho new executive. Senator Frye
of Maine said "The business men
of New England seem TO be Impress
cd with the fact that there will be
no change Of policy, in spite Of the
fact that a new man is at the helm
of state. Under such conditions
there need be no halt in business
enterprises. "
Speaker Henderson said; my
observation is that the business
men of the country have confidence
in President Roosevelt, and are go
ing on just the same as if President
Mckinley were alive"
Ex- Senator Washburn said; ~
have taken pains to sound business
men toward the new administration
and on every hand found them,
great and small, confident that
President Roosevelt fully under
stood the interests Of the country
and would deal with them safely
and wisely.
Senator Depew says; SIN forty
eight hours President Roosevelt has
placed ne upon solid ground "
Senator spooner said; "Nc one
could be more anxious to give to the
country an administration which
viii promote rather than retard its
progress than President Roosevelt. d
As for Hanna, Platt, aud Other
prominent republican leaders, they
do not disguise their satisfaction al