The Washington herald., 1906-11-08
HITCHCOCK RESIGNS;
GARFIELD CHOSEN
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

March 4. Mr.. Hitchcock has for some
time felt that the very exhausting work
he has been engaged IN for over eight
years In the Interior Department was
wearing on him so as to make It impos-
sible for him to remain much longer. At
the Presidents earnest request he con-
sented to accept a reappoiRtment on
March T. 1906, at the time OF the Presi-
dents Inauguration. But he then stated
that he could not say how long he could
stay, and he feels that now he must insist
upon being relieved after March I. The
President urged him TO accept the Am
bassadorship to 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 the choice of a successor
who could be depended upon to carry on
with absolute fidelity the present policies
Of the department. and agreed with Mr.
Hitchcock that the best man to carry on
the exceedingly onerOus. difficult. and re-
sponsible work Of the department was
Mr.. James R. Garfield. al present Com
missioner Of Corporations.
Mr.. Garfield has accordingly been nOti-
fed that he will be appointed on March
{, when Mr.. Hitchcock retires.
Commissioner Richards has informed
the President that IN accordance with his
intention expressed to Secretary Hitch
cock last May. he viii resign. his resigna-
ton 10 be effective March T. This viii
complete eight years Of service in the
Land OliIce, four years as Assistant Com
missioner and four years as Commis-
sioner. His successor has not yet been
determined upon.
THE Assistant Commissioner Of Cor
pOratiOns. Mr.. Herbert Knox Smith. viii
succeed Mr.. Garfield as Commissioner Of
Corporations.
Hitchcock Succeeded Bliss.
Secretary Hitchcock was called 10 the
Cabinet to succeed Cornelius y. Bliss Of
New York, under President McKinIey's
first administration. He was at that time
serving as the first American Ambassador
to Russia He brought to bear IN his ad-
minlstration the careful business methods
and high standards Of ability and integ-
r!tY which he had employed IN a long and
successful business career
Through his personal efforts the gigan-
tic land frauds and timber frauds Of the
Northwest were Unearthed, and many
men prominent in official business and
professional life convicted and sent TO
prison. His dragnet caught and convicted
United States Senator John /. Mitchell
and Representative Williamson, Of Ore
g0n. Representative Binger Herman. Of
the same state, was indicted and is now
awaiting trial The result Of the work
deprived the State Of Oregon during one
term Of its entire representation in the
National House OF Representatives Sen
ator Fulton was the only man in Con-
gress from Oregon capable Of discharging
his official duties.
Secretary Hitchcock was in a large
measure responsible for the action Of the
President in starting the suits TO cancel
the patents 10 millions OF acres OF valu-
able coal lands in Utah. Colorado. WyOm-
ing and Idaho. which tie government
authorities alleged was obtained by rail-
roads through fraudulent entries The
Secretary's latest important fight has
been with the Standard oil Company,
which has acquired by purchase and as
signment valuable oil leases in the IN
dian country Of Oklahoma. and which
Secretary Hitchcock declined TO approve
Secretary Hitchcock has maintained
for two years that there was "a con-
spiracy on the part Of the railroads 10
secure control of the undeveioped coal
and oil lands. with a view TO a monopoly
OF the couutry's fuel supply, and the
Z
combat the tendency,
Only last week Secretary Hitchcock re-
fused 70 approve the application Of d
Western man who sought 20 be recog-
nized as attorney for an indian tribe be-
fore the department. because he was a
clerk for member Of one Of the Indian
committees Of Congress This illustrates
/ Secretary Hitchcock's Watchfulness even
in small matters. Sometimes his rules
were regarded as harsh. As the result
he was not popular among Senator's and
/ Representative, some OF whom, as be
I fore stated. he convicted Of crime, along
with their friends and appointees.
GARFIELD Youngest Adviser.
Nr. Garfield viii be the youngest mem
| Der Of the Cabinet. He is just past forty
/ one, three years younger than Postmas-
| ter General CortelyoU. soon to become
Secretary OF the Treasury. When the
President appointed Mr. Garfield to be
| Commissioner Of Corporations in Febru-
airy. 1893. one of the big things he first
undertook was an investigation Of the
/ beef trust. His work was disappointing
but subsequently he started an investiga-
ton Of the Standard oil Company. at the
/ instance Of the President 1t is the gen
2
subject that Mr.. Garfield conducted that
investigation thoroughly and success
fully. The evidence he collected has en-
abled the government TO proceed vigOr-
ously against the Standard Oil Company
| in several States.
Ohio Has Two Members.
As Mr.. Garfield is credited to Ohio. his
appointment viii give that State two
members Of the Cabinet after March l.
Secretary of War Taft being the other
member. New York will have three mem
/ beTs, Iowa one, Massachusetts one. Mary
| land !, and California one. Mr.. Garfield
! pracuced law at Cleveland after he was
admitted TO the bar IN 1855 lie was edU-
Gated at st. Pauls School, Concord; at
/ Williams College. where ne graduated in
! ISS5, and at the Columbia Law School He
! is a trustee Of Williams.
It is believed the President wishes Mr.
Garfield TO undertake a vast work il re-
/ organizing the Interior Department This
Will be in entire harmony with what Sec
retary Hitchcock has been doing But
| the department is one Of the largest un-
der the government including the Patent
/ Office. the Pension Office the Indian Of
eco aud the land OH4Ca and fhera q -