Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-05
MORE RUMORS
OF CABINET
CHANGES
COLLEAGUES RESENT
ENDORSEMENT OF TAFT 7
Break Up in Presidents Official
Family Before National Cam
paign Opens Freely Pre-
diCted in Washington,

Washington, Sept -Administra-
ton men are discussing, almost under
their breaths. the threatening proba-
bility of an early breaking up of the
Roosevelt cabinet The report is cur
rent that before the national cam
paign opens several changes will oc-
cur in the presidents advisory board,
unless something should happen un-
expectedly to shift the present trend
of affairs.
While the president has let it be
known as directly as possible without
an official statement on his part, that
he prefers Secretary Taft for the pres
idency. and has tried to impress Tafts
availability upon his friends, 1t is a
fact that only one member of the cab
met thus far has declared for Taft.
1t is said, in fact, on good author
ity. that only two cabinet members
really prefer Taft-one being Secre-
tary Garfield, of Ohio Taft's own
democrat appointed by the tesident
to fill the position of secretary of the
department of commerce and labor,
when Garfield became secretary of
the interior. Taft's liberal tariff re-
vision views are gratifying to many
other democrats, by the way, although
Taft has been advised to "hedge" on
his tariff declarations if he wishes to
gain the support of republican pro-
tectionlsts.
AS for the rest of the cabinet, va
rious feelings of personal disappoint-
ment mingle with the belief that Taft
does not fill the bill and cannot gain
the confidence and support of the
people.
Secretary Wilson, of the department
of agriculture, told friend recently
that his long sojourn in the middle
and far west this summer had con-
vlnced him that Taft is not the popu-
lar choice. while on the other hand
he was surprised to find many inqui-
ries about Governor Hughes, of New
York by western republicans. '
'Ingratitude in politics" Car
Schurz once said to Seth Low when
Mr.. Low was mayor of New York
'is a positive virtue"
Whether all politicians would sub
scribe to that sentiment, ii appears
to be a fact that it is not well to APP
ply in spots. Elihu Root. at different
times in the Roosevelt administration
gained the belief that the president
would prefer him for his own success
S0r IN the Whlte House.
The fact that George B. Cortelyou
believed he was Mr.. Roosevelt's
choice was known later last year.
When Taft gained the preference In
presidential favor these other two
cabinet members felt that the presi-
dent was ungrateful and that If he
were determined to pass over theil
qualifications, the president should
have gone entirely outside his cabinet
for his candidate.
The very fact that the president IA
vors Taft has been indicated so plain
ly. friends Of the other cabinet mem
bers say, has had an unfavorable ef'
feet on the prestige and the standing
of Taft's colleagues, which they have
been quick to realize
Cortelyou, although having received
one promotion after another from
President Roosevelt, and having en-
ioyed extremely confidential relat IONS
with him as manager Of the last re-
publican national campaign, is no or
the same cordial relations with the
chief executive as heretofore, and ht
Is embarrassed because of this Cor.
telyou's friends make no secret of hii
attitude and say that he never vii
give his support to the Taft candidacy
and that. II the other alternative
should be withdrawal from the cab
met. he would choose that.
Secretary Root, II is believed, vii
resign soon after his return from
Mexico, and Attorney General Bona
parte. IL the president should lister
to public opinion, will follow him.
Secretary Metcalf has been under
the ban of executive displeasure since
he announced at direct variance witt
oyster Bay bulletins, that the big bat
tleship fleet would be dispatched t'
Pacific waters for an indefinite time.
Secretary Wilson, It has been ex
pected for months, would be super
seeded by Clifford Pinchot, now at th'
head Of the bureau of forestry, ant
the change may be effected at an!
time
The president is represented as no
desiring that many changes In thu
cabinet be made at present, but indi
cations point 10 the probability Of hi
being compelled to choose several nev
members before the campaign opens.