The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1907-05-06
Washington Affairs.
Special to the World.


WASHINGTON, May At is gen.
orally acknowledged that President
Roosevelt is guided in his conduct OF
public affairs by Elihu Root, secre-
tary of state; William H. Taft, sec
rotary of war, and George B. Cortel-
you, secretary of the treasurer, men
dissimilar in type, differing radical
ly in temperament, all of them safe
and sane advisers. If Mr. Roosevelt
were asked by the Republican Ma
tional Committee next year who he
would like to see succeed him in the
White House he would name one of
the men mentioned above.
When Elihu Root accepted the
state portfolio upon the death of
John Hay, it was widely reported
in the press that he did so with the
understanding that the administra-
tion would support him for the pres
idential nomination in 1908. But
doubt is expressed by well-informed
that any such understanding existed
between the president and Mr.. Root.
Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Root have
been close personal friends for many
years. No one doubts that at this
time the administration stands be-
hind the candidacy of Mr.. Taft for
the presidency, and this in itself is
an earnest that no bargain was made
when Mr.. Root reentered the cabi-
net, that the president would support
him in the convention of 1908. Mr.
Root realizes as well as anyone else
that he is only remote possibility
in the presidential game, and he is
said to be content with his lot There
have been reports recently that he
was dissatisfied with his present
surroundings, and that he would quit
the cabinet soon. A prominent men,
Der of the presidents official family
is the authority for the statement
that Mr.. Root has no intention of
retiring from his present office until
March 4, 1909, when the Roosevelt
administration will come to an end.
Secretary Root is one of the ablest
men that has come to the fore in
public life in recent years His total
lack of that element known as per-
sonhl magnetism, his cold, austere
manners, his reserve, and general
frigidity of demeanor all make it i'm
possible for him to become a popular
hero. Root is admired and respect
ed for his great intellect, but he is
NO. liked, even b. tie uen who come
IL close contact with MIN. He holds
most of his associates in the cabinet
at a distance, and only a few of them
know him we'll.
Cortelyou has reputation for ret
icence and conservatism, but he is
talkative and daring compared with
Root. CoMelyou was trained a pub
lie servant. and possesses .some OF
the attributes of a bureaucrat. But
he accomplishes things. In little
more than a decade he has carved
Eur 4 career that is without parallel
in the history of the republic. Some
people have been inclined to sheer at
Cortelyou, but he has gone right
ahead making good, just the same.
Root and Cortelyou are not given
to talking. they are ultra-eonserva-
tive in ali their public acts, and they
are ret looking for publicity day ana
nigh.
Thee this difference. however. /
between two men. Root IS cold
and ciammy in his reticence and cor
servatism; whereas Cortelyou is just
the reverse. He viii not tell Wis
itor what he intends TO do in a given
matter, but the visitor leaves the
Office of the secretary of the treasury
feeling that he has been treated well, |
even cordially. They say that Cor
telyou has the presidential bee in his
bonnet, and there is reason to be-
lieve that this is true. But with his |
usual caution Cortslyoa il net saying |