The San Francisco call., 1904-11-30

WASHINGTON. Nov. 29.--It is a
rather curious circumstance that all
the apprehension that existed in
Washington q year ago as TO what
Roosevelt would dc With this United
states il il was his has disappeared
since. his. recent demonstration that II
is has. Nobody seems to have the least
alarm.
Il is a fact that on the Sth Of No
vember, 1903-that is TO say. a year
ago or a little more-that immense
popularity OF the President that has
been testified TO throughout all the
northern and western country had
almost no expression in the capital
city. The administration had its
champions and spOkesmen in both
houses and measures favored BY II
were generally granted grudgingly, but
for the most part Senators ana Rep
resentatves, particularly senator's,
made little effort 10 conceal in their
street and social talk an attitude OF
irritation thar closely resembled posi-
i've personal dislike toward the eXecu-
tive. Encroachment OF the latter
function upon that Of the legislative
served often as text for time-consum-
as often on the Republican as upon
The Democratic side
To be sure the cited cases had their
defenders. who explained and cited
precedents, but without creating much
impression. 1t was simply an express
slCn, so generally recognized, of irri-
tauOn. senatorial dignity was con-
stanuy being Jared by the PRESIDENT S
energetic method. This irritation was
r10rrr1f-afsad Genera Nv and there
was that feeling throughout the capi-
Jal such as gave the Democrats the
cue for their campaign motto of Safe
and sane" Perhaps the direct con-
tact which Washington has with posi-
tive Democratic territory, Maryland.
Virginia and the South, had some
thing to 90 with it also, but whatever
the explanation, il is true that here,
where the President lives, the one
sided character Of the election was
quite as much of a surprise as ii was
in New York.
HIS MAJORITY A SURPRISE.
After the adjournment Of Congress
and as the election drew near Wash
ington. in common with other cities,
became affected with the feeling that
dominated the North and West, but
did not begin to realize the avalanche
impending until the votes were count
ed. and that method which had al
frOnted 4 few was seen to have won
the applause OF the multitude.
SO Tar as il is allowable TO speak it
IN public the Washington mind is
fairly represented by Washington
newspapers. These are all with the
administration with reservations.
one Of them more than once during
the campaign, and the last time a few
days before the election. expressed the
opinion that while RoOsevelt's election
was TO be desired, so also was a good,
big minority vote adding that a
sweeping victory would be deplora BILE.
In the light Of the returns, to recall
that expression is 10 laugh OF course
IL w~uld never have been uttered here,
where few. votes are TO be influenced,
II IL had not been deemed certain that
this big minority vote was forthcoming
Since the election all the Washington
papers have freely attributed the ex-
traOrdinary result to the personal quail
ity Of the President. a stamp of ap-
proVal upon just him. And 50 saying
there is general throwing away of
that anxiety that was represented in
The wish for a big minority.
But if the fear Of unsafeness in the
President no longer causes alarm il
does not mean that interest in what
he shall do has died with it. This in
ment that he was not a candidate for
le-eiectlon, thus leaving him free the
four years 10 work without suspicion.
The Presidents obligation TO McKin-
ley is Cancelled also with the 4th of
March So il is expected he win in
augUrate a policy bearing his indiYidu-
al Stamp anG fer which he desires 70
bear the undivided responsibility 1t
is not likely that the people will long
be left 10 guess what is to distinguish
IL, or at least what is be its general
Trend The interest in the subject will
cause the forthcoming message to Con-
gress TO be the most widely read Of all
pubic documents Ct recent years.
CABINET SPECULATION.
Much interesting speculation as to
The composition Of the Cabinet after
the 9Th Of March. based on the assump-
non that the President intends to sur
round himself with young men and do
lhlnss unusual, had been ended by the
announcement that there will be few
changes. The retention Of every one
save Shaw Of the Treasury and Hitch
cock Of the Interior has been at least
definitely indicated. Secretary Hitch
cock IS in the race for the Senate seat
10 be vacated by Cockrell of Missouri
No authoritative statement has been
made with regard to Secretary Shaw
athough that by no means vacates
MS seat. Hay has been asked and sig
nineo ms Willingness to remain at the
head Of the State Department. Sec
retary OF War Taft can stay where he
Is II he desires. and il is very likely he
VIII 90 so. The Chief Justiceship of
the United States Supreme Court is
known TO figure in the ambitions of this
DIG man, but that would mean anchor
age Secretary Taft is directly in line
Tor the Presidency in 1905 and though
ne might have the high and pern1s-
nent place the Presidency in prospec-
tive may cause him to retain his war
portfolio TO await developments.
Secretary Morton as a recent an
pointee Of the President and one who