The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-21
R. CAGES RESIGNATION
M e.
1T WILL TAKE EFFECT As SOON AS
A SUCCESSOR is FOUND.
Possibility that in the Course of Conn
ing Cabinet Changes Ex-senator
Wolcott May Find n Berth.
ecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec 20.-Matters that at
tracted the most attention i'm Washington
to-day were the summary dismissal of w.
f. Wakeman, appraiser OF merchandise at
New York, and the statement that Lyman
j. Gage. secretary of the treasury. had re-
signed. At the White House and the Treas
ury Department the fiction is still pre-
served that there has been no resignation
to the President by Mr.. Gage. This does
rot interfere with the main fact that the
Secretary OF the Treasury has notified Mr..
Roosevelt that he will retire as soon as
the President can find a man for his place.
The President is industriously. looking for
the man. but at the time Of the Cabinet
meeting to-day had not progressed suf-
fciently in his search TO present names.
The Presidents announcement that he
would like to get a man from New Eng
land has brought Mr.. Lodge 10 the front
with the name of T. Jefferson Coolidge.
Of Boston. This did not meet with the
Presidents approval and the name has
been dropped. The indications are that the
quest for the secretary will be somewhat
prolonged. The President is not pleased
over the premature publication. lie and
Mr.. Gage working in the utmost har-
mony in this case. The secretary does
not seem at all adverse to retiring and
at the White House il is admitted that
while a few weeks ago there was talk OF
enforced retirement, the conditions arc so
changed that the President would be
pleased if he could remain. So strong and
fair is this talk that the inference is fair
that Mr.. Gage will GO out to engage i'm
Il
to his liking. Opposed to this view is the
statement of his intimate friends to the
effect that he will return to Chicago and
place himself at the head of a minor bank
ing institution, one which does not require
heavy work. If the President already has
his successor in mind he is guarding IL
very carefully even from his intimates.
wOLCOTT MAY GET A PLACE.
New ministerial formations pass in re-
view in Washington with Kaleidoscope
swiftness these days and so strong is the
belief that the President is TO rearrange
his entire Cabinet that even the most gro
tesque schemes get serious attention. OF
the more serious is the proposition OF plac-
ing Senator wolcott at the head of the
is revived the story of Mrs. Wolcotts visit
and Mrs. Roosevelt are great friends. The
former senator and his wife are separated.
Washington social gossip is TO the effect
that if a reconciliation took place the
President would be disposed TO offer the
Colorado man a secretaryship. most likely
that OF the interior.
The following announcement was made
here this afternoon: In view of the re-
peated publications OF late. TO the gem
eral effect that Secretary Hay is about TO
retire from the Cabinet a statement is
given with full authority touching this
subject, substantially TO the effect that
Secretary Hay does not now contemplate
retirement from the Cabinet This state
ment applies not only 70 the present mo-
ment, but to that indefinite period fixed by
sary TO the construction of an isthmian
canal. Also II is stated with equal posi-
tiveness and authority that President
Roosevelt has in the strongest terms ex-
pressed TO Secretary Hay his earnest de-
sire that he shall remain in the Cabinet.
of which he forms one OF the principal
props Thus. according to the statement.
the secretary's inclinations and the Presi-
dents desires run together. and there is no
foundation for the reports TO the effect that
Secretary Hay Is 10 leave his post"
wAKEMAN'S REMOVAL.
A conference between the President and
Secretary Gage before the Cabinet meeting
to-day, which followed the secretarys re-
turn from New York. where he attended
the banquet OF the Bankers Association
last night. had nothing to do with the ques-
ton Of the secretary's resignation. IL re-
lated to the matter OF the removal OF
Appraiser Wakeman, whose resignation
Secretary Gage requested few days ago.
Appraiser Wakeman wrote letter 10 Sec
retary Gage. declining TO resign. and in
the course OF which he took occasion TO
reflect on the secretary. The President did
not approve the spirit OF the letter. and
after the conference to-day the official an
nouncement was made at the White House
that Mir. Wakeman had been removed. and
that George W. Whitehead. late collector
of customs OF Porto Rico. had been appoint
ed to succeed him. No further announce
ment was made. Secretary Gage declined
TO make public Mr.. Wakeman's letter.
Alfred W. Brown. the appraiser OF mer-
chandise at the port OF Boston, has been
ordered 10 New York 10 take charge or thu
appraisers Office there. pending the nomi-
nation OF Mr. Whitehead TO succeed Mr..
Wakeman, which will be sent 10 the Senate
on its reconvening. Jan. s Mr. Wakeman
will vacate his Office Tomorrow.
After the Cabinet meeting Secretary Gage
declined 10 say anything about the rumors
ment that ne had not formally resigned.
What 1 may or may not do eventually
/ am not prepared To say now" said the
secretary. But can say that the relations
between the President and myself are per-
fectly cordial He would do almost any
thing / would ask and I would do almost
anything he might ask.
At the Cabinet meeting a number OF de-
partmental matters were discussed. among
them being the appointment OF Prof. r..
r. King. OF the University OF Wisconsin.
as chief OF the division or soils OF the De-
partment OF Agriculture. Secretary Wilson
desired 20 have the appointment made
xUifhout a civfl-seryice examination and h.