The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-24

The tender of the naval portfolio,
now held by William H. Moody, who
succeeds Philander Q. Knox as attOr-
new general on July I, was made to
Mr.. Morton last Wednesday, when he
came to this city from Chicago in re-
spOnse to an invitation from the pres
ident. He was at the White House
during the afternoon when the offer
of ca binet position was made, and
in the evening dined with the presi-
dent. He left that night for Chicago.
Mr.. Morton has affiliated with the
Dem Ocrauc party almost throughout
his life. He was a straight-out Dem
Ocrat until 1896, when he bOlted the
national ticket and became a Gold
Democrat. About six weeks ago Mr..
Morton gave out detailed interview
announcing his renunciation of Demo-
cratic principles and declaring that
hencefOrth he is a Republican. He
gave his reasons for this change in
faith.
Paul Morton is the son of the late
J. Sterling Morton. who was secretary
of agriculture in the second cabinet of
President Cleveland. He is Al years
old, having been born in Detroit.
Mich, May %. 1857. He has devoted
all his mature life to railroad inter
estS, and is now second vice president
of the AtchisOn, Topeka & Santa Fe
system, embracing all the lines con-
trolled by that corporation He be-
gan his railroad career with the Bur
lington system, taking a position as
clerk in 1872 in the land Office of that
company.
He worked his way up, becoming
assistant general freight agent, and
subsequently general passenger agent
of the c., B. & @. He was general
freight agent of the system when he
severed his connection and became
third vice president of the Santa Fe.
afterward being promoted to the office
OF second vice president. He also be-
came vice president of the Colorado
Fuel & Iron company, and president
of the Whitebreast Fuel company.
The president has known Mr.. Nor
ton for years, and entertains the high
est regard for his executive abilities
and his business integrity. He desires
to recognize the former Gold Demo-
Gratis and is not averse to giving the
great railroad corporations repre-
sentation among his ministers.
How Changes Came About.
For two weeks or more it has been
known that these changes We're i'm
pending When Secretary Cortelyou
was designated by President Roose-
Velt to be his campaign manager, it
was certain that he would retire from
the cabinet upon his assumption of
duties as chairman of the Republican
nauonal committee. Just before he
left for Chicago last Wednesday he
placed IN the hands of the president
his letter of resignation from the de-
partment of commerce and labor.
1t was understood between the presi-
to be accepted to take effect at the end
of the present fiscal year. June 30 in
clrEive- The taking effect of his resig-
nation at that time would afford him
an opportunity to complete some work
in the department which. he had initiat-
ed and which it was important he
should carry to a conclusion. One week
ago today Attorney General Knox for
mally announced that he would retire
from the department of justice. prob
ably at the end of the fiscal year. 1t
was understood at the same time that
Secretary Moody would succeed NJ.
Knox as attorney general. The state
ment was made, however, that while
the transfer of Secretary Moody to
the department of justice was very
probable. dependent in a measure upon
the presidents success in securing such
a successor for him in the navy depart
ment as he desired.
In pursuit of his purpose to secure
the services of a thoroughly able and
cOngenial man, President Roosevelt
rendered the appointment to Paul
Morton, first vice president of the
Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe rail-
road. Mr. Morton is a personal friend
of the president of many years stand
ing He is a son of the late J. Ster-
ling Morton, secretary of agriculture
in President CleveIand's last admins
tration. Mr.. Morton has had expert
ence in Washington, having been here