The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1904-06-25

MOODY BECOMES ATTORNEY GENERAL

washington, June 25.-A sweeping
change In the cabinet of President
Roosevelt was announced officially at
the White House during the day. The
announcement came in the form OF a
brief typewriter statement issued by
Secretary Loeb as follows:
"The following cabinet changes are
announced:
William III. Moody of Massachu.
sets, attorney general.
paul Morton of Illinois, secretary
of the navy.
"Victor H. Metcalf Of California,
secretary of commerce and labor.
"The designations of Secretary Cor
telyou and Attorney General Knox
have been accepted to take effect
July l."
For two weeks or more 1t has been
known that these changes were i'm
pending.
When Secretary Cortelyou was ap-
pointed by President Roosevelt to be
his campaign manager 1t was certain
that he would retire from the cabinet
upon his assumption of duties as chair
man of the Republican national COM
mittee. Just before he left for Chi
cago last Wednesday he placed In
the hands of the president his letter
of resignation from the department OF
commerce and labor. 1t was under
stood between the president and him
that the resignation was to be accept
ed to take effect at the end or the
v,vx, inal1vCiun
The taking effect of his resignation at
that time would afford him an oppor-
tunity to complete some work in the
department which he had initiated
and which 1t was important he should
carry to conclusion.
One week ago Attorney General
Knox formally announced that he
would retire from the department OF
justice probably at the end of the
fiscal year. 1t was understood at the
same time that Secretary Moody would
Succeed Knox as Attorney General.
The statement was made, however,
that while the transfer of Secretary
Moody to the department of justice
was very probable it was dependent In
a measure on the presidents success
in securing such a successor for him
in the navy department as he desired.
In pursuit of his purpose to secure
the service of a thoroughly able and
congenial man President Roosevelt
rendered the appointment of secretary
Of the navy to Paul Morton, first vice
president of the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe railroad. Mr.. Morton is a
personal friend Of the president OF
many years standing. He Is the son
of the late j. Sterling Morton OF Ne
braska, secretary of agriculture In
President Cleveland's last administra-
ton. Mr. Morton has had experience
In Washington, having been there with
his father.
Since President Roosevelt has been
in the White House he has made more
than one effort TO induce Mr.. Morton
to accept a position in his administra-
ton. Feeling that his life work in the
railroad business, in which he has
achieved success, might be impeded
by his acceptance of an official posi-
tion in the government he uniformly
has declined all such Droffers. In con-
sequence, with this feeling, he de-
clined the proffered portfolio of the
navy. He was requescted by the pres
ident to reconsider his declination.
Thursday night he took dinner at the
White House and the whole subject
was considered, after Mr. Morton
Aad consulted with his personal and
business friends and associates. At
the conclusion of the conference Mr..
Morton told the president he would ac-
.ept the position In the cabinet.
1t Is expected that further changes
will take place in the cabinet next
winter. Postmaster General Payne
probably will retire from the cabinet
after the campaign. He will be sue
ceeded by National Chairman Cortel-
YOU.