The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-08


yesterday afternoon announced another
cabinet change which will occur March 4.
1907 when Ethen Allen Hitchcock OF Mis-
souri,. secretary OF the interior. will retire
voluntarily and be succeeded by James X.
Garfield OF Ohio, at present commissioner
OF corporations I'm the department OF
commerce and labor.
The president at the same time made
formal announcement OF his intention to
nominate William III. Moody OF Massachu-
setts. attorney general. as associate
iustice OF the supreme court 10 succeed
Henry u. Brown OF Michigan, who has
retired.
other official changes were announced
as follows: William A. Richards OF wy
omlng, commissioner OF the general land
office. has resigned, TO take effect March
4 next; Herbert Knox Smith. assistant
commissioner OF corporations. will sue
coed Mr.. Garfield as commissioner.
successor to Mr.. Richards as COM
missioner of the general land office has
not yet been chosen.
PRESIDENTS STATEMENT.
The official announcement OF the inn
pending changes given out at the White
House is as follows:
The president announces the appoint
ment Of Attorney General Moody AS JUS
tioe OF the supreme court TO succeed Mr..
Justice Brown.
THE secretary of tho interior, Mr.
Hitchcock. has informed the president
that he would be unable to stay after
March 4. Mr.. Hitchcock has for some
time felt that the very exhausting work
lie has been engaged I'm for over eight
years in tho interior department was
wearing on him so as TO make IL inn
possible for him much longer TO remain.
At the presidents earnest request he con-
sented TO accept a reappointment on
af ho Of l.
dents inauguration. But he then stated
that he could not say how long he could
stay. and he feels that now he must In
sist upon being relieved after March 4.
The president urged him TO accept the
smbassadorship 20 France. but Mr. Hitch
cock feels that he is entitled TO absolute
rest and was obliged to refuse the offer.
THE president went carefully over with
Mr.. Hitchcock tho choice OF n successor
vho could be depended upon 10 carry on
with absolute fidelity the present policies
or the department and agreed with Mr..
Hitchcock that the best man To carry on
the exceedingly onerous, difficult and re-
Fponsible work OF the department was
Mr.. James r.. Garfield. at present COM
missioner OF corporations. Mr.. Garfield
has accordingly been notified that he will
be appointed on March 4, when Mr. Hitch
cock rettres.
Commissioner Richards has informed
his intention expressed TO Secretary
Hitchcock last Nav. he will resign. his
resignation 10 bo effective March 4. This
will complete eight years OF service in
the land office. four years as assistant
commissioner and four years as com.
missioner. His successor has not yet been
determined upon
The assistant commissioners OF cor
porations. Mr.. Herbert Knox Smith. will
succeed Mr.. Garfield commissioner OF
corporations"
CAUSES REGRET.
The announcement OF Secretary Hitch
rocks retirement, though not unexpected.
pocasioned general regret In official cir
rles. He was called to the cabinet TO
succeed Cornelius n. Bliss OF New York
under President McKinley's first admin
istratlon lie brought TO bear i'm his
administration the careful methods and
high standards of ability and integrity
which he had employed i'm long and
successful business career.
Through his personal efforts the gigantic
land frauds and timber frauds Of the
Northwest were unearthed and many men
prominent i'm official. business and profcs-
stonal life were convicted and sent to
prison. Ho secured the conviction of
United States Senator John l.. Mitchell
and Representative Williamson Of Oregon.
Representative Binger Hermann of the
same state was indicted and is now await
Ing trial The result OF this work de-
prived tho state OF Oregon during one
term OF its entire representation I'm the
national house of representatives. Senator
Fulton was the only man in congress from
Oregon who could perform his official
duties.
Secretary Hitchcock was in a large
measure responsible for the actions of the
president i'm starting the suits TO cancel
the patents TO millions OF acres of valua-
bic coal lands in Utah. Colorado. Wyom-
ing and Idaho. which the government au-
thorities allegc was obtained by railroads
through fraudulent entries. The seCrc-
tary's latest important fight was with the
Standard oil company, which has acquir
cd by purchase and assignment valuable
oil leases i'm the Indian country OF Okla
homa. and which Secretary Hitchcock de-
cincd to approve. Secretary Hitchcock
has maintained for two years that there
was conspiracy on the part Of the rail-
roads 10 secure control of the undeveloped
coal and oil lands. with a view to mo-
nopoly OF tho Country's fuel supply. and
the policy OF his administration has been
60 combat that tendency.
The president and secretary are now at