The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-12

war with Spain was apparent to every one.
Alger did the best he could, but he was not
equal to. the emergency. Root stepped in,
and IL was discovered before he had been
in office very long that a man of unusual
calibre was at the head Of affairs. Roots
perseverance resulted in the establishment
of the general staff.
For nearly one hundred years spasmodic
efforts had been made to place the National
Guard of the various States upon a busi-
nesslike foundation. To Roots indomitable
energy and persistence Is due much of the
credit for the passage of the bill for the re-
organization of the National Guard. His pet
project now is the establishment of perma-
nent camps OF military instruction. He be-
lieves that the regulars and state troops
should meet for mutual advantage once a
year. He has planned maneuvers on a scale
approaching those held in Germany. France
and other European countries. He viii prob
ably not get all he wants, but the opinion
prevails that legislation will be enacted at
the coming session of Congress p~rdSiding for
camps of instruction along lines laid down
by the secretary of war. Root will undoubt-
eddy retire before the next campaign opens.
III q puDilC dQQItSS III NtW 1OIh IAc III
day he said: II want to come nome" Root
is known in the metropolis as an able
lawyer. His private practice is worth thou
sands of dollars a year. He wants TO return
to it. 1t would not surprise many people in
Washington If Mr.. Root was prevailed upon
to accept the place at the head of the Re
publican ticket in the gubernatorial race in
New York next year..
So 1t seems certain that, within a COM
paratively short time two of the ablest
statesmen in President Roosevelt's Cabinet
will retire. Their places will be hard to fill.
Hay has been in public office since the civil
war period. Root never held a public place
until he became secretary of war.
Speculation is rife as to other changes in
the Roosevelt Cabinet during the coming
year. Ethan Allen Hitchcock, secretary of
the interior, Is not popular. He lacks tact
or diplomacy, and his clashes with public
men are frequent, particularly with senators
and representatives from the West. Mr..
Hitchcock trusts no one. Every man who at
tempts to do business with the department
is suspected of ''jobbery." AS a result, Mr..
Hitchcock has had a merry time since he
became secretary of the interior. Mr.. Hitch
cock will not leave the Cabinet unless he is
| forced to do so. He likes the place and is
said to have informed President Roosevelt
a long while ago that he could depend on at
least one member of the Cabinet staying
| with him until the last horn blew.
XXX
The Cabinet, as at present constituted, is,
on the whole, a strong one. The addition OF
Henry C.. Payne added strength where II
was weak. Mr.. Payne has spent years of his
life i'm the activities of practical politics. He
has demonstrated. since entering the Post
office Department, business qualifications OF
a high order, and as a counselor at the Cabi-
net table he Is wise, farsighted and saga
cious. He has conducted the present postal
investigation vigorously. The only fair crlti-
cism of his policy in this connection relates
to the charges of Seymour W. Tulloch, for
mer cashier of the Washington city post
office. MIR. Payne minimized the Importance
of the Tulloch charges, and he paused In the
investigation proper to inquire into them
When simmered down to. actual facts Mr.
Tulloch did not make good. The Bristow re-
port would seem TO indicate mat Tuiloch
1.-The nine-day wonder" had
when, as a matter of fact, it merely demon
strated that abuses had existed in formel
years and that they had been corrected by
Charles Emory Smith, former postmastel
general. Mr.. Payne erred in his judgmen
in this matter, but outside of the Tulloch in
cident his course in the postoffice investiga
ton is commended by President Roosevelt
and administration leaders generally. Tn
postmaster general has their confidence, ant
he cannot be driven out of office by the full
limitations of the Democratic and mugwumI
press. If Mr.. Payne's health continues goo'
he will remain in President Roosevelt
Cabinet as long as he is so inclined.
xxx
llama Jim Wilson. secretary of agricul
ture, is as firm as a rock. No better mai
could be found for the place. Leslie NJ. Shaw
secretary of the treasury. is doing well. al
rumors TO the contrary Notwithstanding
Attorney General Knox has made a grea
reputation in connection with the merger.
1t is the hope of the President that MI
Knox can be induced to stay with him a
long as he is in the White House. William
NJ. Moody, secretary of the navy, will retir
some time next winter. His duties are no
congenial to him.
The United States navy is getting yer,
fastidious. The jack tar is a good feeder
and the best that can be found in the mar
ket is bought for him. His menu does no
embrace u great variety, but the mos
wholesome food is served To him. 1t has re
Gently been discovered hat the china sew
ice found on battleships. cruisers and othe
vessels is not elegant enough for the need
OF the United States navy. A board is no'
examining samples of high-grade plate:
cups and sauceTs. and sooner or later I'll
present china will be withdrawn and re
placed by handsomer sets. The present pat
tern is plain, although the china is OF goo
quality. The navy wants the best tabl
equipment that can be found, and is willin
TO pay for IL.
There will. be a curious collection OF an
cient weapons in the exhibit OF the Depart
ment OF State at the St. Louis exposition
Many of these are souvenirs OF fights on
merchantmen had with pirates during tn
early days of the Republic, when our fag
though il did not bear one-half as man,
stars as IL does now. carried American com
merce In American bottoms to nearly ever,
part Of the world. Many OF these old cut