The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
Postal Scandal VIII Cause
Changes in Republican
Committeeman
HEATH MUST RESIGN PLACE
AS COMMITTEE SECRETARY
Hanna Will Also Probably Resign
Craftsmanship Over Roosevelt's
Protest-Payne Barred from
Craftsmanship by
Roosevelt.
BY Jos. Oil.

By JOS: OH.
Washington. D. c., October 29-(Spe-
cial)-The resignation of Hon Perry
Heath as secretary of the republican
tional committee Will, in all probability,
be presented to the committee when it
meets IN this city early in December 1t
IS possible thought not certain, That Sen
ator Hanna will sever his active chair
manship at the same time.
It is certain as anything can be that
senator Hanna will not conduct the next
presidential campaign for his party. Pres
ident Roosevelt would very much like to
have him serve as the active campaign
manager and has so expressed himself,
for he has the highest respect for his
ability in that direction; but the Ohioan
has been through two campaigns and
that is enough for any man.
During the session Of congress last win
ter Senator Hanna made it positive In
his talk with friends that. he would
not consent to act rs national chairman
again. At that time there were reports of
his intention of resigning from the com
r1ittee at an early date He denied this
phase of the talk, showing that as there
is nothing for a chairman to do between
elections it would be the natural thing
for him to hold on until his successor
was chosen in the regular order of things;
but he did make It plain that no matter
how badly he might be wanted he would
not go through ~ her campaign
Payne Now Impossible.
n was after this that Postmaster
General Payne doomed up in the eyes of
the politicians as the natural successor
to Hanna as chairman That was before
the postal scandals had developed.
Payne, who is vice chairman of the ma
tional committee, had been taken into
the cabinet solely because Of his supposed
political ability From the time he first
became a member of the presidents Off
ciaI household everybody understood that
he was asked into the cabinet to become
the administration poliJcian-in-chief and
it was fully expected that when Hanna
went ont payne would step into the ma
tionaI committee leadership.
And SO he would had not the postal
scandals left Shiny trail upon his ad-
ministration of his department. Had
Payne gone into the investigation bust
ness with all his heart when the rotten
ness FIRST developed had he put up the
same bluff that others have. instead OF
/ 3ltenNtIN&
idea Of an investigation he would stnl
have been available for the committee
craftsmanship; but President Roosevelt
has made it plain to his friends that
now il would under no circumstances %
10 let the haed of the pOstofhce depart
ment hold the responsible position winch
Chairman Hanna viii Vac1te.
Line Drawn at Heath.
Even more strongly has the president
Heath who must go" The statute Of
limitations may serve as a convenient
hiding place to give Mr. Heath protection
from prosecution for alleged partcpa-
ton in the rascalities which became ram
pant under his administration of that
portion OF the department over which
h. presided but President Roosevelt Is
decidedly of the opinion that ii will never
do for his party to go into a campaign
undcr the active leadership Of man who
behind thai statute. While 1t often may
can be charged with having to seek refuge
be unjust the fact is that plea for pro
tecton under the statute Of limitations
especially on the part of public official
is regarded as little better than a plea Of
guilty" ana for the republican campaign
to be conducted under the SUPERVISION or
Mr.. Heath as secretary Wotau, l" ie9l~
dent Roosevelts opinion, be fatal
rs mas accordingly decided that heath
must get down and out. If the latter
does not submit his resignation at the
first meeting of the national committee,
means will in all probability pc lound
to force him out Certainly ne VIII not
under any circumstances be permitted TO
serve I'm this or any other responsible
capacitv through the campaign of next
year
The slime of this postofIice scandal is
| spread too deeply over this administra-
ton to admit Of the presence in active
! political management of Heath or faEhe'
Crane or Lodge.
One Of two men viii In all probability
i be chosen chairman both of them very
close to President Roosevelt
1t is the universal custom to leave the
! chairamn to be named by the presloeh-
tial candidate. and Roosevelt will ask
| either former Governor Murray Crane, of
! Massachusetts. or Senator Lodge. of the
same state to serve in that capacity.
He would prefer Lodge, but the senator
may not consent. Crane is very close
to both Roosevelt and Lodge, belongs to
| their political school Is a man OF wealth
| and of political acumen and is generally
| regarded here as the most available man
in sight for the national craftsmanship.
! If he is chosen. some western man will
be selected as vice chairman, and head
quarters will be opened In both New
| York and Chicago to please both the
| eastern and western wings of the party
With either Crane or Lodge as chair
| man the most probable secretary would
| be Louis A. Coolidge. one of the most
prominent newspaper correspondents here
| i'm Washington a man who has had n.
| close acquaintance with political condi-
lions and practical politics In both New
York and New England.