The Washington times., 1902-03-11

regarded as a strong menbrr.-He is sre-
Committee of the Whole. SPEAKER Reed
used frequently to call upon lMm for this
service. although it was.sat3thS first time
he was accorded the honor, usual to re-
quest member cider in dhc-service of
the House to so oficiate. The position of
temporary presiding ofiicerhof sthe lower
House was an easy one for 'sIr. Moody.
who is one OF the best parllamentarians
in that branch of Congress-
The President and MIR Moody have long
been friends and resemble each other
somewhat, both in personality and in ap-
pearance. The latter resemblance is par
ticularly marked Mr.. Moody is of
medium height. of sturdy build and erect
carriage. He is frank and outspoken. and
generally gives his opponents and friends
plenty of opportunity to know where he
stands on any proposition.
In Line for the Tcga.
Mr.. Moody is a member of the House
| Committees ON Appropriations and Insular
Affairs and in each of these bodies his
| influence is great. Especially is this so
in the case Of the Committee on Appro-
prlations, where he has served for several
| Congresses. His record in the House has
! been satisfactory that he was regarded
as the most available Senatorial timber
J In the Bay State in the event of the death
| retirement or movement to other posi-
| tions of either Senator Hoar or Senator
| Lodge.
Congratulated by Colleagues.
The news that Representative Moody
had accepted President Roosevelt's invi-
tation to enter the Cabinet spread to the
Capitol yesterday morning soon after Sec
retary Long had presented his letter of
resignation at the White House yester-
day. He at once became the centre of a
throng of his colleagues of both parties,
all anxious to extend their congratula-
tions, which were in most instances
coupled with sentiments of regret that
he was to leave the House. Mr. Moody
had nothing to say regarding the promo
tion save to acknowledge, that he had ac-
cepted it.
President Can Keep Secret
President Roosevelt is alleged to be a
very talkative man, and there is no de-
nyinS that he expresses his opinion more
freely than any of his predecessors did
especially when talking to politicians and
newspaper reporters, nevertheless, no
President was ever more successful in
keeping secrets than Mr.. Roosevelt. No
body had an inkling of his intention to
appoint Henry C. Payne Postmaster Gen.
eral until the selection was officially an !
nounced, and the President was equally |
successful in keeping from the public the
fact that he had selected Attorney Gen |
eral Knox to file bill in equity against |
the Northern Securities Company.
Now, for two months he has been car
rying about with him the secret that Mr.. |
Moody was to be the Secretary of the !
Navy. and no doubt he has, more sur
prises for the public up his sleeve.
Fight Against Mr.. Hitchcock.
1t is not known whether the fight that
Western Senators are making upon Sec
retary Hitchcock will be successful in
getting the latter out OF the Interior De-
partment. The President and Mr. Hitch
cock are warm PERSONAL friends, and it
may be that Mr. Roosevelt will stand up
against the pressure of the Western Sem
ators and retain Mr.. Hitchcock's services, 4
at least until the Secretary, like Mr.
Long, is ready to retire voluntarily.
There were some indications a few
weeks ago that announcement would be
made of the appointment of new rSu-
preme Court justice simultaneously with
that of Mr.. Moody's selection as Mr..
Longs successor. Justice Horace Gray,
who recently suffered slight stroke of
would, it is thought, retire
from the bench on that account and also
because he has passed the age limit and
is also eligible for retirement, having !