Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-19
New Collector of Customs at
Newport News.
ARCHIBALD G. PEACHEY
UNLESS REPRESENTATIVE SLEMP
OBJECTS TO HIM.
Not Much of Importance at Today's
Cabinet Meeting-Gossip as to
Possible Cabinet Changes.

Archibald C. Peachey will probably be
named in a few days as collector or Gus
toms at Newport News to fill the vacancy
caused by the recent death of Collector FL
lott The President has concluded to
name Peachey who has the backing of
John S. Wise and George f. Bowd N, ma
tional committeeman II 1t is agreeable to
Representative Slemp of Virginia. Mr..
Slemp is in Washington today ready to
make recommendation. but he will not
do anything before tomorrow. when he
will have a conference with Seth V. Peck,
another candidate for the position. Mr..
Peachey is a practicing lawyer at New
port News, while Mr.. Peck is in the GUS
tom house at Norfolk and is also a law
yer. Mr.. Peck has been stanch repub-
lican and If Mr.. Slemp should see fit to
present his name to the President there
might be a change. 1t is practically set
tied, though, that Mr.. Peachey will be
named.
Out for Recorder of Deeds.
Representative Campbell and David Null
yane national committeeman of Kansas.
saw the President today to press promi-
nent colored man for recorder of deeds OF
the District Their candidate is DR.. w. T.
Vernon president of the Industrial Insti-
tute at Quindaro. Kan. DR.. Vernon is one
of the leading colored educators of the
country, and stands so well that he has the
backing of Booker Washington for the
office. There are number of other candi-
dates among leading colored republicans.
strong backing. that of Booker Washington
being especially warm. The President did
not commit himself in any way.
Today's Cabinet Meeting.
Few matters of considerable Importance
were considered today at the meeting Of
the cabinet. 1t was said authoritatively
that there was no discussion of either the
Loomis-Bowen case or matters pertaining
to the Panama canal. After the meeting
Secretary Taft said he had not yet received
Secretary LOOMS statement in reply to
that of Minister Bowen Some of the oral
testimony which he is to take on the case
already Is in hand He has received
statement of some phases of the case from
Henry Willard Bean. formerly manager of
the asphalt company in Caracas, but the
nature of it he could not disclose. Secre-
tary Taft said the President was anxious
TO reach a conclusion of the case as soon
as possible but the Secretary could not
indicate how soon he might be able to sub
NIT his report on it, Brief consideration
was given to the approaching army and
navy maneuvers. but no announcement con-
corning them was made. Postmaster Gen
eral Cortelyou remained with the President
some time after the meeting. taking up
with him some post office appointments.
Possible Cabinet Change.
The intention of Secretary Morton to re-
tire from the Cabinet this fall has led to
discussion and speculation as to who will
be his successor. Secretary Metcah of the
Department of Commerce and Labor is
picked the successor of Mr.. Morton.
This is because Mr.. Metcalf is understood
to like the work of that department. He
was for long time connected with the
naval affairs committee of the house and
took an active interest in the navy when
he was on that committee. The President
had him in mind for the navy portfolio at
the time Mr.. Morton was offered the posi-
ton. but concluded that he would name Mr..
Morton. Mr.. Metcalf is said. to be tired
OF his department and to have In mind
somewhat early retirement from there. In
case gossip should be right and he should
go to the head of the Navy Department 1t
is believed that the President would make
James r. Garfield Secretary of Commerce
and Labor. Mr.. Garfield was one of the
Presidents visitors today.
Despite the gossip as to Mr.. Metcalf.
however, it is at the present time improb-
able that he will become Secretary of the
Navy. The President knows that Mr.. Nor
ton will retire early in the fall. and he
has some others under consideration for the
prospective vacancy.
1t is contemplated that there will be
a number of cabinet changes In the next
year. Secretary Shaw Is definitely sched-
uled to leave the treasury next February
or March, while Attorney General Moody
has for long time desired to resume the
practice of law In Massachusetts and will
do that as soon as he gets through ham
ding some of the important antitrust
cases that are pending in the courts, and
now being prepared. These cases will keep
him decidedly busy for a year or more.
but 1t Is generally felt that he will not
stay in the cabinet much longer than Il
year Postmaster General COrtelyou may
leave the cabinet at an early date should
a formal offer be made him 10 become pres
tdent of the Equitable Insurance Company.
There is little doubt that he would accept
the position If offered to him under circum-
stances that would insure harmony in the
organization and confidence in his man
agement In this event 1t is almost certain
that the President would offer that place to
Robert J. Wynne. Postmaster General for
a short time, and now consul general TO
London.