Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-14

Announcement was made at the White
House last evening that Victor II. Met
calf had resigned the office of Secretary
of the Navy on account of ill-health and
that Truman II. Newberry, assistant Sec
rotary, would be promoted to the vacancy
thus created.
Mr. Metcalfs letter of resignation fol-
lows:
Navy Department.
Washington, November ID, 1908.
Sir:
Il hereby tender my resignation as Sec
rotary of the Navy, the same to take eff
feet on the LIST proximo.
Very respectfully,
(signed) ~. H. METCALF.
Secretary.
The President,
white House,
Washington, d. c."
Accepted With Regret.
The President replied as follows:
"The White House.
washington, November ID, 1908.
My Dear Mr.. Metcalf:
Il accept your resignation with real re-
Iuctance, and only because you tell me
that it is imperative that you must go on
account of the state OF your health. l
had earnestly hoped that you would be
able to continue with me throughout my
term l THANK you warmly for your
faithful and efficient service in both of
the departments at the head of which you
have served under me- But, my dear
Mr.. Metcalf, you have always been more
than the head of department; you have
been a cabinet minister upon whose aid
and advice, and above all, upon whose
stanch and steadfast loyalty l could rely
upon any and all occasions. No Presi-
dent could wish more loyal and hearty
support than you have always given me.
I thank you for it. l shall miss you when
you leave the cabinet. and l wish you well
in whatever work you may undertake
and where ever your life may lead
with regret, therefore, / accept your
resignation, to take effect upon the LIST of
December.
with all good wishes. faithfully yours,
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Hon. V. H. Metcalf,
Secretary of the Navy"
Mr.. Metcalf's Ill-Health.
For more than year the fact that
Mr.. Metcalf has suffered serious illness
has been we'll known at the Navy De-
partment. Formerly of vigorous health,
his friends expected that he would be able
to regain his strength, but constantly
the only course for him to pursue is to
sever his connection with all active work.
Mr. Metcalf has suffered from a nervous
break down that has rendered it impos-
sible for him to remain at his desk for
any length of time, and the chronic ma
ture of his trouble has caused him to
abandon hope of recovery while burdened
with the cares of office. On April 10
last he went to California to review the
Atlantic battleship fleet. He then took a
long vacation, hoping to be permanently
benefited thereby. returning here Sep
TENDER !. Upon his resumption of official
duty his illness required and he frankly
told the President that he could not re-
main in the cabinet.
Mr. Metcalf was thoroughly versed in
naval matters. having served on the
House committee on naval affairs while
in Congress. His first appointment under
this administration was as Secretary of
Commerce and Labor. which he relin-
quished in order to accept the duties of
Secretary of the Navy, on December II,
1905.
Mr.. Newberry's Experience.
Mr. Newberry had never filled any i'm
portant public office prior to his appoint
ment as assistant secretary Of the navy,
November l. 1903. Prior to that time
he was in business in Detroit. Mich. The
intelligent interest he has displayed in
connection with the naval post has
caused much favorable comment. Mr..
Newberry has entered into the spirit of
naval Improvement and has co-operated
whenever possible, in the development of
naval matters. He will have an oppor-
tunity 20 use his personal prestige with
the naval affairs committees of both
houSeS in securing desired naval legiSla-