The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
W. H. MOODY HAS TACT
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY BECOM-
ING POPULAR WITH POLITICIANS.
His Absence from the House Regret
ted-Representative Hemenway
and the Speakership.
Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator George
Frisbie Hoar, when he heard that the Pres
ident was about 10 invite Representative
William Henry Moody TO become his secre-
tary Of the navy, went to the White
House and made a vigorous protest. He
said that Mr.. Moody was the ablest man
New England had in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes and that it would be a serious
mistake TO interrupt his legislative career
even to give him place in the Cabinet He
said he was the natural successor of him
self in the United States Senate and that.
while he did not expect he would be needed
in the upper house for several years, he felt
that he should remain in training for the
place. The venerable senator was deeply
in earnest in his protest and those who un-
derstand how highly he regards the honor
of sitting in the Senate chamber may thor
oughly appreciate the high compliment he
was paying the present secretary of the
navy.
Mr. Moody is proving a most welcome
addition to the Cabinet Of President Roose-
welt. He is thoroughly in touch with the
members Of the Congress, and by his tact
and ability is placing them in better touch
with the practical working of the admins
tration. He has never been recognized as
much OF a politician, but the sympathetic
way he is approaching the problems of this
nature is convincing that he will be second
only to Postmaster General Payne as
political counselor. He will make frequent
trips to the West, the first of which was
his visit to Detroit to address the Michigan
republicans at their annual banquet to-
night. His loss in the House Is keenly felt
by others than MIR. Hoar, and for other rea-
sons. A large number in the lower hall of
Congress feel that it is only a short time
before there must be change in the organ
lzatlon with new speaker. General Hen
derson has lost entire control OF the ma
chlnery of legislation and cannot be de-
pended on TO carry out any fixed congress
slonal policy for the party. Many OF the
Republicans looked upon Mr.. Moody one
man whom it would have been possible to
make speaker. His equipment for such a
responsible position is generally recognized.
He is even urged by his old constituents, by
petition, TO give up his executive duties and
return TO his legislative career. 1t is not
likely, however, that he will adopt any such
course.
The youngsters who are not satisfied with
the present House control are constantly
canvasSing the abilities and fitness of diff
ferent men for speaker. One of the men
frequently spoken of is Representative
James Hemenway, the strongest man on
the committee on appropria tons, excepting
It's chairman, Uncle Joe" Cannon. His
hard work on this committee has made him
as familiar with legislative procedure as
any man in Congress. He is not noisy or
ostentatious worker, but most thorough and
effective He is in close sympathy with
that fine force known as Republican dis
cipline. He stands for party regularity in
and out of season. He has the strength of
character and ability for executive per-
Torrance of high order, and his experience
has made him master of legislative pro-
cedure.
In the informal cloak-room canvasses of
the suitability of the different men for the
chief of the House organization none stands
any higher than Representative Hemen-
way. OTTO CARMICHAEL.