The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-24

Their Jobs and Have no Idea NJ
Letting GO-BristOw Talked of as
Pnyne's SuccessOr-COrteIyOu VIII
Remain at Head of the New De-
partment.
By r. NJ. Larner.
Washington. March 23.-Cabinet
changes constitute a very fruitful
theme of gossip here nowadays. 1t is
known that at least one of Mr.. Roose-
velts official advisers desires very
much to get back to private life One
or two others will be glad when an
other year has passed and President
Roosevelt's first administration has
come to an end. Still others are we'll
pleased with their $4,000 jobs, however
inadequate that salary may be to meet
official expenses.
Close investigation would probably
show that Mr.. Roosevelt has kept more
of the cabinet members of his prede-
cessors and has kept them longer
time than any other Vice President,
who succeeded to the White House by
the death of the occupant, who was
Mckfn1ey's Appointments.
Secretary of State Hay, who took his
present office Sept. 20, 1898; Attorney
General Knox, whose term in the cab
met dates from Dec. 16, 1901; Secretary
of the Interior Hitchcock, who enter
ed the cabinet Dec. 21, 1898; and Sec
retary of Agriculture Wilson, the dean
he came in March 5, 1897, when Presi-
dent Mckinley was first inaugurated,
are all holdovers. 1t was only re-
Gently that Mr.. McKinley's second Sec
retary of War, Hon. Elhu Root, went
back to his private law practice in
New York giving way to Judge Taft.
Mr. Roosevelt's own cabinet appoint
ments are, besides Judge Taft, Secre-
tary of the Treasury Shaw, who en-
tered the cabinet Feb. 1, 1902; Post
master General Henry c. Payne, who
came in Jan. 8, 1902; Secretary of the
Navy w. H. Moody, who came in May
l. 1902; and Secretary of the Depart
ment, of Commerce and Labor George
B. Cortelyou, who entered the cabinet
Feb. 16, 1903. 1t will, therefore, be seen
that five of the present cabinet are
Mr.. RooseVelt's original selections, ana
four are holdovers.
Payne Anxious to Retire.
Months ago Mr. Payne would have
been glad to have resigned his cabinet
portfolio. Because of the great in
vestigation under way and the fire of
criticism, justly or unjustly directed
at him. he was unwilling to yield. Re-
Gently he has had a severe illness Whlch
has greatly taxed his strength. IL is
hardlx expected that Mr.. Payne, VINO
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
leaving the cabinet. AT present tnere
is no real foundation for such prophe-
sy. Mr.. Payne wants to carry the in
vestigation of the Postoff1ce Depart
ment a little further before he gives
up the reins. But on the other hand,
his friends, knowing the precarlous
state of his health, are urging him 10
retire from the cabinet. 1t need be no
surprise if Mr.. Payne does resign dur
ing the spring or summer months
Should he resign, it would be difficult
to tell whom the President would Sc
lect as his successor.
The name of Fourth Assistant Post
master General Bristow would be
most popular selection, outside of the
politician class. Kansas has never had
a cabinet officer and it is claimed that
Mr. Bristows faithful work in the in
VeStigAtion of the department has
earned his promotion to a place in the
cabinet. But there would be strenuous
opposition to him by those in sympathy
with the grafters and by others jealous
of his reputation.
Moody VIII Serve His Term.
The only other member of the cabi-
net, mentioned as wishing he were
back in private life is Secretary
Moody of Massachusetts, Newspaper
dispatches not infrequently gossip
about his early retirement, but there
is no likelihood that Mr.. Moody will
retire till the end of the present ad-
ministration, which will be March 3,
1905, or a little less than a year from
now. He has stated his intention OF
retiring at that time and has plans
for resuming his law practice.
Secretary Hitchcock and Secretary
Wilson are both very fond OF their
places in the cabinet. They have no
idea of letting go and one hears no
gossip about their retiring voluntarily
1t is said that Secretary Wilson'S sons
are aiding him financially to remain In
the, cabinet, as he is not man OF
large means, but he has made the
best Secretary of Agriculture the
country ever had, as both parties con-
cede.
Hay willing to Remain.
II has been mentioned at different
times that Secretary of State Hay is
entirely content to retire from ONCE
and that he has contemplated dong
so. His health, at times, has been
poor, but there is no indication OF any
present intention on Mr.. Hays part OF
resigning his portfolio Lately 1t mas
been said that Mr.. Hay would be Will
ing to remain at the head OF the state
Department during Mr.. RooseVelts S
second administration, should he be
elected next November. In the event
of MIR. Hays resignation, there would
be much talk about the prospects OF
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge OF Massa-
chusetts. who is the closest personal
friend the. President has in public lie.
Mr.. Lodge would undoubtedly pe
averse to leaving the Senate. where ne
is assured practically of life tenure.
With the retirement of Mr.. Moody
from the cabinet. presuming that MI
Roosevelt is elected next November
New England would be without a rep
resentative In the cabinet. Massa
chusetts has had the New EnglaIlu
member of the cabinet now for seven
years. IT is hardly TO be expected that
that section would be left without
cabinet officer, but some OF the otheI
New England states will probably pc
soon advancing their claims 10 be
honored. Ex-Gov. Murray Crane was
offered the Treasury portfolio before u
was given 20 Secretary Shaw and the
name OF Gov. Bates has also been