The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-04-12
(Mail Special to the Advertfser.)

J Cabinet changes constitute very
fruitful theme of gossip here nowadays
1t is known that at least one of Mr.
Roosevelt's official advisers desires very
much to get back to private life. One
or two others viii be glad when another
year has passed and President Roose-
veIt's first administration has come to
an end Still others are well pleased
with their $4,000 Jobs. however made
quate that salary may be to meet Off
cial expenses.
Close Investigation would probably
show that Mr.. Roosevelt has kept more
OF the cabinet members of his predeces-
sor and has kept them a longer time
than any other vice president, who sue
ceeded to the White House by the
death of the occupant, who was chosen
by the votes of the people. Secretary
of State Hay, who took his present
office September 20, 1898, Attorney Gen.
eral Knox, whose term in the cabinet
dates from December Is, 1901; Secre-
tary of the Interior Hitchcock, who
entered the cabinet December p, 1898;
and Secretary of Agriculture Wilson,
the dean of all the cabinet in point of
service. as he came in March 5. 1897,
when President Mckinley was first in
augurated, are all holdovers. It was
ond secretary of War, Hon. EIihu Root,
went back to his private law practice
in New York, giving way to Judge
Taft. Mr.. Roosevelt's own cabinet APP
pointments are, besides Judge Taft,
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw, who
entered the cabinet February /. 1902.
Postmaster General Henry c. Payne,
who came in January 8. 1902. Secretary
of the Navy w. H. Moody; who came
in May 1, 1902; and Secretary of the
Department Of Commerce and Labor
George B. Cortelyou, who entered the
cabinet February 16, 1908. 1t will there
fore be seen that five OF the present
cabinet are Mr.. Roosevelt's original
selections, and four are followers.
SECRETARY PAYNE.
Months ago, Mr.. Payne would have
been glad to have resigned his cabinet
portfolio. Because of the great inves-
tigation under way and the fire of
criticism, justly or unjustly directed at
him, he was unwilling TO yield. Re-
Gently he has had severe illness
which has greatly taxed his strength.
It is hardly expected that Mr.. Payne, |
who has been an invalid for years, will
be able to resume his duties for two
Or three months. This fact has lately |
given rise to more gossip about his |
eaving the cabinet. At present there |
8 no real foundation for such a proph- |
scy. Mr.. Payne wants to carry the in |
of the Postoffice Department
little further before he gives up the |
,eins But on the other hand, his |
friends, knowing the precarious state
# his health. are urging him to retire
rom. the cabinet. 1t need be no sur
,rise if Mr.. Payne does resign dur
ng the spring or summer months.
Should he resign, it would be difficult
o tell whom the President would Sc
ect as his successor. The name of
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
3ristow would be a most popular Sc
ection, outside of the politician class.
Kansas has never had a cabinet officer
nd it is claimed that Mr.. Bristow's
aithful work in the investigation of
he department has earned his promo
ion to a place in the cabinet. But
here would be strenuous opposition to
lin by those in sympathy with the
rafters and by others jealous of his
equation.
SECRETARY MOODY.
The only other member of the cabinet,
=, III
rivate life. is Secretary Moody, of
Massachusetts,. Newspaper dispatches
OF infrequently gossip about his early
etirement but there is no likelihood
nat Mr.. Moody will retire till the end
{ the present administration, which :
i'll be March 8, 1905, or little less than
year from now. He has stated his in
.ntion of retiring at that time and has
ans for resuming his law practice.
Secretary Hitchcock and Secretary
Tilson are both very fond of their
aces in the cabinet. They have no
ca of letting go and one hears no Cos
o about their retiring voluntarily 1t
said that Secretary Wilson's sons are Il
ding him financially TO remain in the m
binet, as he is not a man of large i1y
cans, but he has made the best Sec
tary of Agriculture the country ever u
ID, as both parties concede- 1t has bt
en- mentioned at different times that ii
cretary of State Hay is entirely con- w
Mt to retire from Office and that he III
8 contemplated doing so. His health, tn
times. has been poor but there is no tn
iication of any present intention on l
r Hays part of resigning his port to
TO- Lately it has been said that Mr.. ne
~ would be willing to remain at the tn
ad of the State Department during IN
:. Roosevelt's second administration, an
oufd he be elected next November. ns
the event of Mr.. Hays resignation. RI
ere would be much talk about the to
aspects of Senator Henry Cabot
dge, of Massachusetts. who is the
,sast v,orsoy1aI friend the President |