Gloucester County Democrat., 1905-07-13
washington LETTER.
WASHINGTON. D. e. July s, 1906

generally conceded that be could not haye
made wiser choice from among the prom
inent Republicans mentioned in this con-
nection Mr.. Root has, ia the eighteen
months which haye succeeded his relin-
/ quishment Of the portfolio Of war, as in
the many years which proceeded its assump-
tion, been the attorney for some Of the most
tagrant trusts, but his conduct OF the
affairs Of the War Department affords
ground for the belief that as Secretary Of
State, he will devote his entire energies
and abilities TO the interests Of the country
with absolute singleness of purpose.
The selection Of Mr. Root for the first
place in the cabinet places new signii-
eance on the political situation within the
Republican party, and is accepted BY many
leading Republicans as unquestionable evi-
6ence that the President hopes to make
Elihu Root his heir to the presidency.
Even Secretary Shaw, who cherishes large
sized presidential aspirations Of his own,
fears the result Of Mr.. Roots accession to
the secretaryship Of State. fears it so much
that he is almost inclined to give up the
fight for which he has already been making
elaborate preparations
What becomes Of the presidential aspira-
tions with which Secretary Taft has been
credited is not known, and Mr. Taft is not
here to speak for himself, but it is inti-
mated by those on the inside of Republic
can politics, that Mr.. Taft will receive
compensation in the form Of a promise
from Mr. Root, of the Chief Justiceship
Of the Supreme Court, in the event that
Melville W. Fuller is not sufficiently ac-
commodating either to resign or die during
the present administration. Mr.. Taft is
essentially lawyer, and he would dearly
love to preside over the Supreme Bench.
That is life position whereas the presi-
dency may not last more than four years
cannot last to exceed eight in any event
and besides Mr. Taft might not command
sufficient support TO secure the nomination,
whereas Mr.. Root, who has the absolute
confidence Of the Wall street crowd could,
doubtless, with the assistance of the Presi-
dent, command the nomination, and would
then be subjected only to the danger OF de-
feat at the polls, danger which will prove
small unless the Democrats bestir them
selves and perfect a stronger and ahler
organization than they now possess, be-
tween now and the Summer of 1908
News has reached here from Tokyo and
Petersburg which has been interpreted to,
mean that the first formal meeting of the
peace conference between Russia and Japan
will occur in Washington on August /, in
accordance with the earnest representations
Of the President that all possible expedition
should be used to prevent, in so far as may
be, further loss of life in Manchuria 1t
is now expected that the plenipotentiaries
will hold one formal meeting in Washing
ton, after which they will adjourn to meet
at some sea shore city in New England.
1t is further expected that the plenipoten-
tiaries with their respective suites, will
embark at Washington on naval vessels
provided for the purpose, and viii
sail directly to Oyster Bay, there to pay
| their respects to the President, before pro-
ceeding to such place as may be ultimately
selected for their Summer meetings. What
ever place may be selected for the meetings
of the plenipotentiaries during the hot
weather, it is assumed that they viii re-
turn to the national capital for their final
conference, and will here sign the treaty
Of Washington which, it is expected, will
be the product Of their conference. Ii
would surprise no one it the meetings ex-
tended over considerable period Of time,
say three or four months; and it is expected
that before the time comes for the signing
of treaty the temperature in the national
capital viii have become once more hear
able.
The Republican party is constantly find
ing itself in dilemmas as the result of en-
ploying honest men to conduct inYestiga-
tions and make accommodations Such
was the case when Fourth Assistant Post
master General Bristow investigated the
Post Office Department Such was the case
when Secretary Taft found that the 'protec-
ted hags' were trying to rob the govern
ment by charging domestic prices for ma
terials for the Panama Canal aud such is
now the case since Mr.. Bristow, in his new
capacity of Special Panama Railroad Com
missioner, has made his report and recon-
mendations on the commercial side Of the
Panama Railway The Panama Railroad
has always accorded the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company monopoly Of all transporta-
tion carried across the Isthmus and that
company has had the temeritY todemand q
renewal Of its contract. When this was
!