New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-25
NEW CABINET OFFICERS.
PAUL MORTON FOR NAVY.
Moody Succeeds Kno.r. and Uetcaif
Takes Cortelyou's Place.
rFRoN THE TRIBUNE BUREAU ]

Washington. June A-President Roosevelt an
nounced the following Cabinet appointments tC-
day:
WILLIAM II MOODY. of Massachusetts. Attorney
PAUL MORTON. OF Illinois. Secretary of the Navy.
VICTOR III. NETCaLF. of California. Secretary Of
Commerce and Labor.
The designations of Attorney General Knox
and Secretary Cortelyou have been accepted. to
take effect July l. when their successors VIII
assume the duties of their Offices
The newly appointed Cabinet officers are re-
garded as exceptionally able men, strong In ex-
ecutive ability and thoroughly we'll equipped to
fiji the places for which they have been selected.
As member Of the Cabinet. Secretary Moody
has already demonstrated his usefulness. and his
transfer and retention generally approved
The appointment of Paul Morton and Victor H.
Metcalf to be members Of the Cabinet received
hearty commendation to-day from all the men
constituting the Chief Magistrates present cOur-
Gil.
= do not believe the President could have
found a better man" said Secretary Moody.
when he learned OF the formal acceptance of his
successor.
Il am mighty glad Morton has agreed to take
it," said Attorney General Knox. "He is splen-
did selection for the place. And quite as
pleased that the Department OF Commerce and
Labor is to fall into such competent hands"
fered the President almost warm on hts
wise selection OF new advisers as they were on
the report of his magnificent victory at Chicago.
In spite OF all stories to the contrary. there
has never been any indecision the part OF
the President in considering the two appoint
ments He never had any idea OF offering the
navy portfolio to Mr.. Metca1f or the Department
of Commerce and Labor to Mr.. Morton. Neither.
it may be said with equal authority, did he re-
ceive anything resembling declination from
the man who is to become the head Of the Navy
Department He learned from Mr.. Metcalf more
than week ago that he would accept the place
to be vacated by Mr.. Cortelyou, but did not
care TO announce II officially until he could
give the news Of Mr.. MOrton's acceptance to
the public at the same time. The President also
decided to defer the announcement Of Mr.. Cor
telyous successor until the national committee
had ratified hts wishes by making him the gen.
eral Of the campaign forces
That Mr. Morton will lose nothing by enter
ing President Roosevelt's Cabinet, In spite Of
the fact that he will relinquish for the time be-
ing a post that is probably more remunerative.
few will doubt. It is understood that the man
agement OF the Santa Fe Railroad system will
keep the place OF second president open for
him until the end OF his term In the Cabinet.
Even should the road undergo a change in man
agement in the mean time. il Is not at all likely
that the directors. whoaver they may be.
would nfss the opportunity of securing the SER
vices 1san ex-Cablnet Minister for their official
roster.
MR. KNox's RESIGNATION.
Attorney General Knoxs letter of resignation
was made public this evening. II follows:
Office Of the Attorney General.
Washington. d. c.. June 23. 1901
Sir: Having been appointed by the Governor
syIvania In the Congress Of the United States
until the next meeting Of the legislature of that
State. and having accented said appointment TO
take effect July j, 1904, 1 hereby tender my
resignation Attorney General Of the United
States to take effect at the end of the 10th day
I cannot by this act terminate the close and
confidential relation 1 have sustained 70 you
durinE YOUR entire administration without add
ing a word OF sincere appreciation OF YOUR more
than generous and uniform kindness to me, and
like word OF unfeigned respect and admiration
for the lofty purpose and splendid courage you
have ever manifested. which have inspired and
sustained your Cabinet in their efforts TO pro
mote th> public welfare by efecting the wise
policies Of your administration
With great respect your obedient servant.
P. c. KNOX, Attorney General
The President.
PRESIDENT ACCEPTS WITH REGRET.
In his letter accepting the resignation Presi-
dent Roosevelt said:
White House, Washington. June %. 1904
only with keen personal regret, but with
very real feeling Of the loss the country thereby
sustains. Permit me to add that do not think
| could have made UP my mind to acquiesce.
however reluctantly. in your leaving your pres
ent position had not also realized the services
YOU could render in the Senate.
There is nothing that I can say which will
in any way add to the reputation which you
have woD. and tribute l pay you will
approach in value that already paid you by the
hearty admiration and respect OF your fellow
citizens Yet for my own satisfaction 1 wish
10 bear testimony to the invaluable work that
you have done. During your whole time of ser
vice you have had real holiday. You have
never really rested from your exhausting labor.
To your high professional qualifications YOU
have added unhagging zeal and an entire fndif-
ference to every consideration save the honor
and interest of the people at large. Many great
and able men have preceded you In the office
you hold. but there is none among them whose
administration mas left so deep a mark for good
upon the Country's development Under you IL
has been literally true that the mightiest and
the humblest in the land have alike had il
brought home TO them thai each was sure OF
the laws protection while he did right, and that
neither could hope To DEFY the law il he did
wrong In what you have done you have given
proof not merely of the profound learning OF
the jurst but of the bold initiative and wide
grasp OF the statesman. You have deeply af-
fected for good the development OF our entire po-
litical system in its relations to the industrial
and economic tendencies Of the time.
For all you have done thank you most ear
nestly, not only on my own behalf. but on behalf
of the public whom you have served with such
single minded devotion.
With all good wishes for your future. believe
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Hon. p. c. Knox, Attorney General
FURTHER CHANGES EXPECTED.
1t is expected that further changes in the
Cabinet win take place next winter. Postmas-
ter General Payne viii probably retire after the
campaign. and viii bc succeeded by Mr.. CorteI-
you Mr.. Moody viii continue Q member Of