New-York tribune., 1905-07-02
TAFT And THE VACANCY
Considerations Which Will Probably
GoUern His Course.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BuSE.I

ovs.er Raw Long Island July 1-when he re-
ceiyed the news Of Secretary Hays death. the
President said that he did not think the emer-
gency would require the cancellation of Secre-
tary Tafts trip to the Philippines Secretary
Hay had not been the active head Of his depart
ment for number of months, and arrangements
had been made for his further rest from active
duty These plans could be carried out just as
though he had remained among the living.
The President did not by any means indicate
that he intended appointing Secretary Taft to
the vacancy. Indeed, neither he nor any one else
in authority would think of discussing this ques-
ton with such unseemly haste. 1t is known,
however. that the President has the utmost con-
fidence in Secretary Tafts ability, and there is
little doubt that he regards him as the ideal man
for the first place in the Cabinet and might ap-
point him to the position were there no serious
considerations to weigh against the move. He
would, of course. first consult with Mr.. Taft and
be guided largely by his wishes in the matter.
1t is known that the wer Secretary is wrapped
up. heart and soul, in the Panama Canal pro-
iect He has expressed the hope to many of his
friends that ne will be able to continue in
charge of the work until the end of the great
engineering feat is in sight. Before the close
of President Roosevelt's term. if all goes we'll
tt is believed that the work will be in such shape
that only time and labor will be required 70
connect the waters of the two oceans. All the
great problems will have been solved by then
the isthnnus will be in a sanitary condition, the
machinery will all be upon the strip. the men
required to move the earth will all be at hand
or within easy reach, and the Secretary OF War
woh takes charge under the next administration
will have little to do beyond carrying out the
contracts made by his predecessor.
Another consideration that might cause Sec
off
State portfolio, were it offered to him. is the
situation in the Philippines. 1t has been the
dream of his public life TO see the islanders
reach a high state of happiness and civilization
under his administration as head Of the War
Department He saw them rise out of the
sayagery OF their present state of half civilized
education under American rule and If he can
helm them take further steps in the same direc-
tton he will feel that his service to humanity
and his country will have been crowned with
the greatest measure OF success. s--t
Were he to retire from the War Department
10 take the more exalted place in the Cabinet
his triumph in the eyes of the world might be
greater but it is doubtful if he would feel bet
ter repaid in his own heart If. however, the
President were to ask him TO take Mr. Hay S
place Mr.. Taft would undoubtedly do so for his
chief even at the sacrifice of his own personal
desire 1t is doubtful. however. that the Presi-
dent would call upon him to make that sacrifice.
were he to discover that Secretary Taft pre-
ferred to remain at the head of the War De-
in finding of ability to administer the
State Department and with characteristic sa-
Raoity Will make his wise selection when the
proper time comes