The Irish standard., 1908-12-26
State PORTFOLIO
accepted BY KNOX
Mr.. TAFT ANNOUNCES THE AP.
PolNTMENT OF THE
SENATOR.
Strong Man for cahinet-President
Invites Advice Of PennsyIvanian-
Wickersham Not Vet Selected for
Attorney General.

TAFT. pres1dent-eleCt OF the United
States, Friday night announced the
appointment of United States Senator
Philander G. Knox of Pennsylvania as
secretary of state in his cabinet.
The announcement followed the re-
ceipt by MIR. Taft of telegram which
came late in the afternoon conveying
the information from Mr.. Knox that
he would accept the premiership of
the Tat> cabinet.
Taft Is Highly Gratified.
Il feel that am to DO congratulated
in securing the services of Senator
Knox in my cabinet" said Judge Taft
In making the announcement. In
selecting a secretary of state wanted
first. a great lawyer, and second. q
man who would fill the public eye, not
only here but abroad, as a man who
stands out prominently as great
American.
MIR. Knox was a groat attorney
general; he was prominent candi-
date for the presidency, and he is rec
ognized In the senate and elsewhere
az one of the great lawyers of that
body"
Calls Knox to Advise Him.
Judge Taft also feels that from Il
political viewpoint the selection of Mr..
Knox is most happy. He explained
that there was often a feeling that the
state of Pennsylvania, with It's as
sured Republican majorities, was
slighted in the matter Of recognition
In the high councils of the party. That
this will not be the case in the next
administration was Indicated by tho
announcement by Mr.. Taft that he
should invite Senator Knox to come
to Augusta that he might consult him
freely with reference to filling other
places In his cabinet.
In fact, he said that he felt the
need Of such advice as he should be
able to obtain from Mr.. Knox regard
Ing not only the cabinet, but many
matters preliminary to the beginning
of his administration. That Mr.. Knox S
influence will be potent was freely ad-
mitted by Mr.. Taft.
Wlckersham Not Vet Named.
Regarding the report that George
w. Wickersham of New York would
be attorney general in his cabinet,
MI. Taft said that he had not yet de.
termined on any one definitely for
the attorney generalship. 1t is his
desire to fill this place with an ad-
ministrative genius who will accom-
plish reorganization of the depart
ment as we'll as the legal phases of
the department of commerce and la,
Dor and the Interstate commerce com.
mission to the end that the work of
these three branches of the govern.
ment may be co-ordinated.
Makeup Of New Senate.
Washington, Dec. 21--While the
terms of 81 senators. more than one.
third of the entire body, expire on
March q next, is Of this number al.
ready have been reelected or assured
of reelection, either through successes
in primary contests or pledges of a
majority Of the membership of the sev.
eral state legislatures charged. with the
duty of electing senators before the
beginning of the next congress-.
In addition to the vacancies occur
ring by reason Of provision Of the
constitution, there will be a. vacancy
in Pennsylvania on account of the
forthcoming resignation of Senator
Knox to accept the portfolio of secre
tary of state in the Taft cabinet. There
will be scramble between prominent
Republicans of Pennsylvania for Mr.
Knox's seat which will occasion public
interest equal to the contest going on
now in Ohio for the seat of Senate,
Foraker, and in Connecticut for the
seat of Senator Brandegee. That Sec
retary Root will be given the New
York senatorship now held by Senator
Platt is conceded and a contest is not
expected.
Senators Who viii Go Back.
The Republican senators whose
terms expire at the end OF the present
congress, but who are sure Of being
returned. are Cummins Of Iowa, now
serving out the unexpired term of the
late Senator Allison: Dillingham; OF
Vermont. Gallinger Of New Hampshire
Hepburn of Idaho, Hopkins of Illinois
Penrose Of Pennsylvania. Perkins OF
California, Smoot Of Utah and Ste
phenson OF Wisconsin. Democratic
senators who will be returned are
Clarke of Arkansas, Clay Of Georgia