The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-03
CRITICISM OF CABINET.
Implicit Confidence in Secretary Hay
 Diplomatic Ability WeakenihE.

|
 Diplomatic Ability Weakening. Springfield Republican,
 There is steadily increasing challenge and doubt over the hitherto accepted restrained observers have not concealed the mature belief that whenever due and sober attention should be given to MT Hays much-vaunted record In the State Department his alleged unparal- leled successes would have to be better demonstrated than heretofore in order to command the lasting acceptance of the American people of history. There nave been other capable men in that place. Republican leaders in Congress have begun to take notice, and to weigh and to consider Secretary Hay in the light of the things which in the re- view serve to reflect least credit upon the tact and wisdom of the administra- tion. The preeipitancy of the Panama proceedings as they affected Colombia and involve the record and honor of the United States does not grow more ieve- ly or lend itself to national complaeen. the growing doubt about the worka- btiity of the canal enterprise Had we been dealing with a first-class power, what then?
 Again. who declared to the President that the psychological moment had ar rived, last week, when the Senate could be successfully challenged and beaten down by the power of public opinion
 
 en out from the White House somewhat hastily? The Secretary of State mis- calculated. and so did the President. Hence. a growing suspicion, which may develop into belief, that Secretary Hay is not a guide incapable of stuHb- ling; and, indeed, that he may be open to the charge of lacking practical sens and the knowledge that deals best with men when it comes to handling exigent situations that seriously affect the ad- ministration of which he is a part.
 Some Republicans are discovering what they regard as a lack of lawyer like caution on the part of the Presi- dent and his advisers. There can be too much of legal weighing and ball ancing, of course, but so can there be too little at times. It is never a bad thing to achieve progress through due regard for law and the Constitution If past by too little regard for constitu- tionalism. the stand it has now made will have its value for the country. It is the setting up of landmark, ab-
 It Is further a fact that the present composition of the Cabinet in some con siderable degree constitutes a peril to the administration success ss,d The calculated to make him dominant. He is the McGregor of the Cabinet table, It Is, therefore, of the utmost import ance that one so compelling shall have
 
 who will have the Judgment and the courage to challenge his views and pur- poses when they appear to need miti- gation and pruning. Of such counsel- Tors not one remains in the Cabinet. It Is true of Elihu Root and Senator Knox that they had the courage to face the President and to argue with him with entire frankness when disagreeing with him, and that they were able at times to persuade him to the substantially al- teration of policies on which he had been disposed to embark. AS matter of party and personal advantage this was of moment.
 Attorney General Moody is too much like the President in temperament and mental quality to act as restraining adviser, Judge Taft does not fill the bill as it was hoped that he might and be- yond them where Is the influence In the Cabinet now constituted, and as 1t will be after March (, that promises to avail for this service? It is very much hoped by President Roosevelt's well wishers in Washington that when Attorney General Moody and Secretary Morton go out as they propose to do within the year. the men selected to succeed them shall be of the sort to replace in some good measure the influence which was believed to be exerted for Republican good by Messrs. Root and Knox.