The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-13
In Explosion Of Wrath
Secretary Shocks Friends
by Using 'CuSS' Word.
MAY GUST HIN AND TAFT
Crisis Near at Hand in Cabinet
Trouble Has to Do With
Sounding Southern Dele.
gates = Chief Executive
Thinks He Got Lemon.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ia Cabinet
crisis is believed almost certain 10 oc-
cur when Secretary of War Taft re-
turns next week from his trip around
the world, and from present indications
1t looks nor only as IL Secretary OF the
Treasury Cortelyou would be dragged
to the gates of the city and cast forth
into outer darkness, but as If the Secre-
tary of War will be given a gentle hint
that he would relieve the Administra-
ton from great embarrassment by
rendering his resignation.
For some weeks past President
Roosevelt has recognized that the con-
struction of a Presidential boom for
! Secretary Cortelyou might make things
| embarrassing in view of the Presidents
avowed Endorsement of the Taft propa-
ganda, but he hoped that the rivals
would do their fighting outside instead
of inside the range of the Presidential
vision.
This gentle plan, however, would not
work. 1t is true that Taft has seemed
to make an effort to keep his Office
work and his boom entirely separate,
though somewhat at the expense Of the
office work. But the President was
suddenly n rudely surprised to find
out that Cortelyou's boom a not only
been directed from the very shadow OF
the White House, but that he. Theo-
dore Roosevelt himself, had been used
to pull the chestnuts out of the fire.
And that is why. according to the
| general agreement of the shrewdest
political sharps in Washington, Mr..
Roosevelt last night anticipated by
several weeks the time that he had
originally fixed upon to declare HIM
self finally and absolutely out OF the
race for the nomination.
81 have had a damn rought deal from the
| White House." said Secretary Corteiyou 10
an old friend last night. Inc frlend, ID re-
peating 1t. said:
at almost took me off my feet. 1t was
the first time in all my long acquaintance
with George Cortelyou that ! ever heard
! him use the word damn
Mr.. Cortelyou's remark was mad In con-
| nection with a conversation brought on by
the mention of the Presidents statement
that he would not take another term.
Mr.. Cortelyou regards the Presidents
| statement as aimed at him alone, and as a
public rebuke to him.
MT. Cortelyou does not see why he is
not as much entitled to secure the nomina
ton. il he can get it, as Mr.. Taft. nor why
he should be clicked off In this fashion.
For months Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Hitchcock has been travelling about
in the South and the West on IN official
tour Of inspection. That was his ostensi-
BILE errand. AS a matter Of fact, his whole
business was to advocate a third term for
Roosevelt.
Within the last few days the President
has found out that he was hoodwinked, it
Is said. Hitchcock had no trouble in get
ting an option on the Southern delega-
lions, because these delegations are al
ways absolutely controlled by the Federal
oficeholders in the South. But he didn't
tie them up to Roosevelt with the proviso
that they were to go to the Presidents
candidate if the President declared him
self out of the race.
When the President first had his sus-
picions aroused. he tried to stop it by his
first warning to Federal oficeholders
against political activity, and then again
by the order he issued the other day alb
solutely forbidding the third term propa-
ganda among Federal oficeholders. He
found out that this was merely collecting
straws against a flood. Then he issued his
announcement of last night.
1t Is said the President Is not aIone con-
WINGED that Cortelyau has played fast and
loose with him in the field of Presidential
politics, but he has been brought to sus-
pect the Secretarys loyalty to the whole
purpose of the administration In view OF
the reported feelings of the President on
these matters. it is difficult to see how the
Secretary Of tue Treasury can long retain
his place at the Cabinet table.
with Cortelyou. should he be elected.
would also go his friends, Assistant Post
master-Genera Hitchcock and Commissioner
of Internal Revenue Capers. the two men
who have been most active in the pseudo
third-term movement intended to benefit
the Cortelyou boom.