Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1904-12-01
AS TO HIS WORTH
PAUL MORTON ONE OF THE CON-
ING MEN OF THE COUNTRY.
A POWER IN RAILROAD WORLD
is Now Holding Place In the Cabinet
at a Personal acrifce-Destined
Some Day to Be President Of the
Santa Ee.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. accepting Of
the appointment Of Secretary of the
Navy Paul Morton signed for one sea-
son only, and can ask to be released
on the 4th of March next. His init
mate friends and former associates
have been confident that he would get
enough of official experience by that
time, and be glad to return to his old
place as vice president of the Santa
Fe Railway company, which has been
Kept vacant for him.
Mr.. Morton made great sacrifice
when he became secretary OF the
navy, but he gratifed his own pride
and ambition, as well as President
Roosevelt, by doing so, and could af-
ford 1t for the time being. He relin-
pushed a salary of $4,000 year and
abundant opportunities to make other
money, for $4,000 a year, which does
not pay his house rent in Washing.
ton.
II he decides to remain in the cabi-
net he must give up as promising a
career as was ever offered young
man in America 1t is no secret among
his friends that he will some time sue
coed Mr.. Ripley as president of the
Santa Fe company, and for that rea-
son he has declined several unusual
offers from other railroads. When the
Hartman syndicate consolidated the
Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and
other contributing systems, Mr.. Nor
ton was offered the position of traffic
manager, with a salary of $4,000 a
year, which was q confirmation from
the highest authority OF the popular
opinion that he is the ablest traffic
manager in the United States. Few
men who can command such positions
and such salary would be willing to
serve their country long, with all the
annoyances and expenses to which a
cabinet minister is subject.
Paul Morton is considered a great
success thus far, and, during the re.
cent campaign developed remarkable
political sagacity He made some of
the best points suggested, and his
judgment was never at fault. He is
out of place in the navy department
however, because the work there does
not occupy one-half of his time. He
is accustomed to a strenuous life, and
ought to be transferred to the post
office department or interior depart
ment, where his remarkable executive
ability might be utilized to the fulles
degree.
, Secretary Morton's friends arr
awaiting with interest the approach
ing conflict between him and the con
gressmen who want something The!
will be coming in very soon, and, a
, usual after a campaign. will be deter
mined to secure whatever they can t.
l reward the politicians who have elect
ed them. They will not find much com
5 fort at the navy department, becaus
Y Mr.. Morton is likely to consider tn
4 interests of the service more import
: ant than those Of politician. Alread
two or three little skirmishes on tina
h line have occurred, to the astonist
o ment of those who participated. Nj
!. Morton was astonished that anybod
|. should expect him to manipulate tn
affairs OF the navy to assist cand
date for congress, while the candidat
for congress was astonished becaus
=, he refused to do so.