Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-28
ATTACKS ON HITCHCOCK.
Persistent Reports That the Secretary
of the Interior Will Resign.

of the Interior Will Resign.
Washington, Feb 27.--A persistent
revival of the report that Mr. o. A.
Hitchcock, secretary of the interior, is
to withdraw from the presidents cab
met has been vigorously circulated IN
Washington during the past few days
The gossip can not be traced TO any
tangible source, unless it is that the
wish is father to the thought with GER
tain members of the senate ana mouse
who have been aggrieved by actions
of the secretary.
So far as Mr.. Hitchcock is concerned
1t can be stated that he has no present
intention of resigning from the presi-
dents cabinet He has made plans to
remain in Washington and retain his
cabinet place.
That influences have been at work
with the new administration In an ef-
fort to GUST him is recognized by the
secretary as we'll as by his friends here.
In the conduct of number of matters
i'm both the northwest and southwest,
particularly timber land and Indian OPP
erations, he has antagonized the wishes
of senators and members, who have not
hesitated to express their condemnation
of him. The secretary contends that
these antagonisms have grown solely
out of the rigid enforcement of the law
| and the prevention of scandal in the
conduct of the business of his depart
ment. Whether the combination of in
huences will result in the withdrawal
of Mr.. Hitchcock Is yet to develop. His
natural reserve and lack of association
! hn
political work and manipulation will
initiate against him. These are the
conditions.
/ The following are obtainable facts:
The secretary has present intention OF
resigning; the president has not indi-
Gated in any way desire that lie re-
sign; few days ago the president had
no change in contemplation affecting
the interior department, and so stated
to caller; influences are at work and
have been for some time to force Mr.
Hitchcock from the cabinet.
An evening paper prints the follow
| ing:
Secretary Hitchcock, who left the
city on brief trip this morning. just
before taking his departure authorized
Mr. w. Scott Smith, his private score
tary, to deny the statement published
on Saturday last that he had decided tt
resign from the cabinet. In accord
ance with his instructions, Mr.. Smith
made the following statement to a re-
porter:
/ ".The report that Secretary Hitch.
cock intends resigning from the posi-
ton of secretary of the interior is with.
out any foundation whatever. There IL
/ friction between certain senators ane
4 men of influence and this department
las there is in any other department o
4 the government, and / suppose some
incident arising from a complaint of {
senator gave credence to the resigna
4 ton rumor. There have been numerous
other reports of this character durins
the past year, but all have been abso
i lutely devoid of truth. Complaints hav'
been made to President Roosevelt b.
! members of congress, but these wer
all met fairly and squarely by Secretar.
Hitchcock, ard his action was upheld
by the president
Mr.. Smith, when asked II the state
ment was an authentic one, and IT h
had been authorized to speak for tn
secretary in his absence. declared tina
it was not authorized. OF this inter
view with the reporter, Mr.. smitl
said:
ION my own account, told him Their
was absolutely no foundation for tn
statement about the secretary's resig
nation. So far as he relations with tn
president were concerned. knew the
were of the best and that the presfden
, was backing the secretary and stood b
, him. did not make or pretend to max
, any authorized statement, nor did
suppose he would attempt to quote m
in the least"