Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-26
No ONE SUSPECTED N'
Selection of Shaw for Cabinet
Was Not Believed in Des
MOines.
1t Certainly Means Exit Wilson
as Well as Enter
Shaw.
He Still Cherishes Presidential
Aspirations, Which Caused
Him to Hesitate.
,pecial to Times-Republican.

DeS Mo1neS, Dec. 2o--le Will pe i-SSiiS
NJ. Shaw stepping in and James Wilson
stepping out of that cabinet. That is
the ,rogram definitely decided upon.
From an unbiased and disinterested
standpoint the situation is regard to the
cabinet rumors which have been flying
about this week has been amusingly
interesting. The first rumors Of the new
cabinet possibility We're received In Des
Moines where the political thermometer
is read religiously every day and mark
irras recorded with smile Of crudihty
or a laugh OF scorn. 1t is not too
much to say that not more than one
person in 500 in Des Moines on Monday
evening had any thought that there was
any truth in the report which was first
given publicity in the New York Post
about Governor Shaw being called into
the cabinet. No one could be found who
would consider 1t seriously.
But on Tuesday after the matter had
been fully digested and considered In all
its phases. when 1t was recalled that the
first runors came from source which
usually has first knowledge of who is to
be or not to be In charge OF the treasury
department.. when it was recalled that
the governor OF Iowa has reputation
far and wide as one Of the wisest states
men OF the age and q man OF infinite ca
pacity to understand the financial ques-
tion and to administer great national
affairs, when 1t was known that the
members OF the Iowa delegation in con-
gress were favorable to having a place
made in the cabinet for Governor Shaw
lit was generally accepted as the log
ical outcome OF the cabinet reoganiza-
ton now In progress at Washington.
The friends of Secretary Wilson were
at first constrained to ask the question.
Can Iowa have two members of the
cablnet?" 1t was recalled that other
states have had two members and this
IrSTht happen with Iowa. But republi-
cans oc ether states might We'll COM
plain If any further prominence and
power was given Iowa at Washington.
Then came the news, received from re-
liable sources that Secretary Wilson
will quietly tender his resignation in a
few days and relieve the president of
all embarrassment on that score. 1t
was known that Wilson had written to
friends here that he was we'll pleased
with President Roosevelt, that he felt
that Roosevelt was sincere In his declar-
alton that he wished the old cabinet
members to remain. that he desired to
remain and finish his work as he had
begun and felt no anxiety about 1T. But
all this has been changed in day and
intimate friends of Wilson here declare
that he could not remain in the cabinet
now with respect to himself. The pub
lie Will generally regard the tender OF
cabinet position to another Iowan as a
hint that Wilson is not wanted longer.
At any rate 1T is believed there that
Wilson will soon be back at Ames man
aging the experiment stativn.
Gov. Shaw will make haste to finish
his message to the legislature and pre-
pare to leave for Washington as soon as
he is released from his engagement with
the state.
Governor Shaw's hesitancy in regard
to acceptance of the position in the cab
met was not SO much on account of the
complications which might result from
being indirectly the means of forcing
Wilson out, as that he was looking for
ward to future political honors In con-
versation with friend he has stated
that he was in doubt at first whether to
accept place In the caoinet of Presi-
dent Roosevelt because of the danger
1t might bring to his future prospects.
If, for instance, the Roosevelt admins
tration should commit some egregious
blunder and gain the disfavor OF the
country or there should come a great
panic or national calamity, the members
of the cabint would naturally go down
with their chief. This would prevent
him being the candidate of the Iowa re-
publicans for the presidential nomina-
ton in the future. This was what had
caused to him to hesitate about accept,
ance. But he realized that men in high
positions must take chances of that
kind and that the tender is of such a
character that he could not well re-
fuse.