Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-05
MORE RUM0RS
OF CABINET
CHANGES
COLLEAGUES RESENT
ENDORSEMENT OF TAFT
Break Up in Presidents Official
family Before National Cam
paign Opens Freely Pre-
diCted in Washington.

Washington, Sept. 4.-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 il 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 Taft's
availability upon his friends, IL is a
fact that only one member of the cab
met thus far has declared for Taft.
II 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
state, and the other the free trade
democrat appointed by the resident
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 arc 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
he confidence and support of the
people.
Secretary Wilson. Of the department
of agriculture. told a friend recently
that his long sojourn in the middle
and far west this summer had cons
WINGED 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" carl
Schurz once said TO Seth Low, when
Mr.. Low was mayor Of New York,
lis a positive virtue
Whether all politicians would sub
scribe TO that sentiment, II, appears
to be a fact that IL is not well to APP
ply In spots. Elihu Root. at different
line in the Roosevelt administration, !
gained the belief that the president
would prefer hin for his own success
sor in the White House.
The fact that George r.. 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
we're determined to pass over their
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
~. friends Of the other cabinet mem
bers say. has had an ~unfavorable eff
feet on the prestige and the standing
IF tn rs anNNnn Hfagu Urhfnh thou haHrn
been quick to realize.
Cortelyou. although having received q
one promotion after another {, om :
President Roosevelt. and having on !
extremely confidential relations e
him as manager OF the last re- {
publican national campaign, is no on ,
same cordial relations with the !
chief executive as heretofore. and he
Is embarrassed because Of this. Cor S
friends make no secret of his \
and say that he never will !
give his support to the Taft candidacy {
that, If the other alternative Il
be withdrawal from the cab J
net, he would choose that. A
Secretary Root, Il Is believed, viii G
'esign soon after his return from a
and Attorney General Bona
il the president should listen I
q public opinion, will follow him.
Secretary Metcalf has been under
he ban of executive displeasure since
lc announced at direct variance with
oyster Bay bulletins, that the big bat n
leship fleet would he dispatched to
'acific waters for an indefinite time.
Secretary Wilson, II has been eX-
,ected for months. would be super
by Clifford Pinchot. now at the
read Of the bureau of forestry, and
he change may be effected at any 7.
line. '
The president Is represented as not y
that many changes in the =
abinet be made az present, but indt- y
atoms point TO the probability Of his "
cling compelled 20 choose several new y
members before the campaign opens. =