The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-11-04
CHANGES IN
THE CABINET
SECRETARY METcALF AND ATTY.
GEN. soNAPARTE TO RETIRE.
This 10 tho Most Surprising Change
Imminent-Due Principally to
Mr.. Roots Physical condi.
tion-ln Poor Health.

Washington, ID. T., NOV. 4.-An I'M |
portant and, in T. sense, a surprising.
change is immlnen In the cabinet |
OF President Roosevelt. From tine to
time. in the past few months, 1t
has been rumored that both Secre- |
tary Metcalf OF the navy, and Attor- |
ney General Bonaparte of the de-
partment OF justice, were likely to
retire from administration life. While
the rumors have been denied. II is
not unlikely that one, and perhaps
both, OF these officials may leave the |
cabinet before the president com
pletes his present term.
The latest information as to a
change in the cabinet. affects nelth-
er Mr.. Metcalf nor Mr.. Bonaparte.
1t relates to the retirement OF no less
parsonage than the secretary of
state, Elihu Root. Any direct state
ment that Secretary Root was con-
siderlng his resignation from the
presidents official family probably
would be denied; but 1t neverthe-
less is known to be a fact.
Mr.. Root is not well man. Prior
to his trip TO Mexico he spent
several weeks at health resort
in an effort to recuperate his de-
pleted strength. His sojourn at the
resort was beneficial to him-notably
so-but It did not effect a complete
| restoration of the distinguished pa
Sent's physical abilities. He ex-
pressed himself Just before starting
on the trip to Mexico. as feeling bet
ter than he had felt for long time;
and he certainly looked better than
he had for year or more. The trip.
however, was a most trying one and
the secretary returned to Washing
ton considerably run down in physical
vigor
1t is only since his return that he
has though OF leaving the cabinet.
His health Is impaired and he is
Inclined TO feel that he ought not
to jeopardize his remaining strength,
mental and physical, by the perform
ance of the exacting duties of sec
retary Of state.
There are other reasons, too, why
he should feel that 1t no longer is
necessary for him to continue in his
/ tnmnfal Yngftfnn 10 Ia. uArEaI M
many of the problems in the state
department which President Roose-
welt and he held close to their hearts.
The diplomatic and consular ser.
vices now are in better shape than
ever in the history of the country;
many intricate and difficult prob
lens have been solved; and Amer
ica's relations with foreign countries
are on firm foundation.
II In addition, Secretary Root may
be pardoned fer weeling that he has
performed his full quota of patriotic
service to his country. lie entered the
Office of secretary of state in the
shadow of the death of the late
Secretary Hay and was confronted
with many delicate and important
questions. President Roosevelt lean
ed upon him as upon no other men
Der of the cabinet, and 1t has b. en-
that Mr.. Root has been induced tC
remain in public life so long. Now
many of the great questions have
been disposed of and, with the pass
ing OF the approaching winter, he
could relnqulsh his official duties tC
other hands without serious embar
rassment either to himself or to the
administration.
| Who might succeed Secretary Roo
is, as yet, problematical. Robert W
Bacon, first assistant secretary oi
! state. recently declined the American
, Enthusiastically to Germany, because
he preferred TO remain beside Sec
retary Root. An aftectlonate regard
exists between Mr.. Root and Mr.
Bacon and 1t is not improbable tha
the latter might succeed the pres
ent secretary, II Nj. Root should
retire.
1t is not likely the change will
take place before next spring, al
Secretary Root has scme matters hC
desires to bring to the attention
OF congress during the approachlns
session; but there is strong grounC
for the belief that 1t viii take plac,
within a comparatively few months
The season for colds Is here. b,
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