Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-17
It MAY Be CORTELYOU
he is Likely to Be National
Chairman.
FAVORED BY LEADERS
HEADS OF REPUBLICAN PARTY TO
URGE HIS SELECTION.
Nothing Definitely Settled Yet, but
Cabinet Officer May Be Draft
ed Into Service.
FAVORED BY LEADERS

Secretary Cortelyou of the Department Of
Commerce and Labor. whose name has been
mentioned from time to time in the past
three weeks in connection with the chair
manship of the republican national COM
mittee, is quite likely to be drafted for
duty in that trying position. If the present
disposition of the heads of the republican
party, entirely favorable to Mr.. Cortelyous
selection, resolves into the decision to urge
his election by the national committee, 1t
will involve his retirement from the office
he now holds.
In that event. however, he would not be
separated from the cabinet very long. Post
master General Payne, who has been con-
templating retirement on account OF III
health, would hold on until next November
and upon his retiring the vacancy wouid De
filed by the appointment of Mr. Cortelyou
to be Postmaster General
The first mention of Mr.. Cortelyou name
in connection with the craftsmanship sew
eral weeks ago met with favorable reeep-
ton among the leaders of the party. ne
is personally known to them all, through
his service as President McKinleys secre-
tary President Roosevelts secretary ana
his successful incumbency in his present
office He is regarded as possessing marked
executive ability, and he knows the ms ana
outs of the politics of the republican party.
He was very Close " Lie ldtS koOhoeOA
Hanna and possessed that leaders con-
fdence.
Mr. Cortelyou Holding Back.
Mr. Cortelyou has been holding back at
the suggestion that he be made chairman.
more through modesty than indisposltlon
to serve his party He has felt that there
were others who should be called upon be-
fore him. but he has never intimated lack
nj willingness TO into the campaign anu
make the fight for his party in the fall
elections.
After Mr. Cornelius N. Bliss of New
York declined to undertake the arduous
task of managing the campaign, the lead
ers turned again to Mr.. Cortelyou. They
found him willing to make any personal
sacrifice for the good of the cause that
might be imposed upon him.
There the matter stands for the present.
Mr.. Cortelyou is willing to serve, the Pres
ident wants him and his colleagues In the
cabinet while regretting to lose him, would
acknowledge the fitness of the political
selection.
The final decision will be reached within
the next four weeks, and after the Presl-
dent has thoroughly canvassed the propo-
sition with the elders of the party. Every
probability at this time points to the selec-
tion of Mr.. Cortelyou.
At Today's Cabinet Meeting.
Secretary Cortelyou and Postmaster Cen
eral Payne remained with the President to-
day at the conclusion of a brief cabinet
meeting at which the only other cabinet
officers present were Secretary Hitchcock
and Attorney General Knox The confer
ence was altogether in reference to politi-
cal matters and the assumption OF the
craftsmanship of the republican national
committee by Secretary Cortelyou The
talk of Secretary Cortelyou as a manager
of the republican campaign this year has
been going on for more than a week, and
has found favorable notice In the news
papers of the country. AT the beginning
of this talk it is thought that Mr.. Cartel
you was merely one of the men under con-
sideration by the President for the inn
portant post which he has been thinking
over some time.
AS the suggestion met with instant ap-
proyal. however, the President is believed
to have grown more convinced that Mr..
Cortelyou is the proper man Tor the posi-
ton, and the information to be had is tnat
Mr.. Cortelyou Is much nearer to having tne
honor than any other man whose name has
yet been mentioned. 1t is declared on high
authority that nothing definite has been de-
cided and that the chairmanship IS sun
open. 1t is admitted that the President Is
pleased with the friendly comments evoked
by the mention of Mr.. Cortelyou for the
position, and that if he is satisfied the re-
publican party and the people will be
pleased with this selection it will be just to
his liking In brief, the prospects favor
Mr.. CortelyOu, who has for many months
been among the closest political ADVISERS at
consulted when important matters nave
arisen The President feels that there are
many good reasons why Mr. Cortelyou
should be chairman of the national commit
tee and comparatively none against MS
having the place.
MIR. Cortelyou's Successor.
Should Secretary Cortelyou become chair
man of the republican national committee
and resign his cabinet position. there is
practically no doubt that he would be sue
oeeded as head of the Department OF Com
merce and Labor by James r. Garfield, at
present commissioner of corporations in
this department. Next to Mr.. Cortelyou
few men in the country stand closer to
President Roosevelt than Mr.. Garfield. In
fact he does not take second place in this
respect and it may be said that no man In
the country is closer personal friend OF
the President than the of the former
President Of the United States. The friend
shin between them has existed a long time
and has steadily grown more intimate ana
cordial.
1t was because of the Presidents conf
dence in Mr. Garfield that he asked him to
become commissioner of the new bureau of
corporations, an establishment that might
do many useful and important things for
the country or might give the administra-
ton a great deal of trouble, depending on
it's management. The President has fire.
quently remarked that he measured his
man well and that his confidence has in no
way been misplaced or his judgment found
at fault
There would probably be little considera-
ton Of any one else for secretary of the
new department except Mr. Garfield in
case there is q vacancy. That is the feel
ing in administration circles and among
those who ought to know.