Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-08

over the Treasury portfolio to Mr. Meyer
who, in turn. would relinquish everything
but tho ''stand-up desk in the Post
master Generals Office to his first assist
ant These rumors sounded we'll, and
how much they had to do with the lack
of speed shown by Mr.. Hitchcock in taxi
ing the Taft management offers Is debat-
able.
He Did Not Decide.
At any rate Mr.. Hitchcock did not de-
eide
From the political point Of view he was
a valuable asset to be attached to the
Taft wing of the republicans. His jour
neys through the south had brought him
close to all the leading members Of the
party machine. and his position first
assistant postmaster general. fountain
head Of patronage. though certainly not
prostituted for politics, yet gave a strong
moral weight i'm any utterance emanating
from him.
Dwellers on Mr.. Hitchcock's threshold
include all degrees OF statesmen and pol
Itfcians. from the senator who has a
friend TO the friend who has senator
Mr.. Hitchcock knows them all. and his
smiles or frOwns bring sunshine or tears.
Here was position from which his in
fuence radiated to every part of the
Union. and a position to which he climbed
der. by native worth, assisted by boost
from Mr.. CortelyOu. His ability as an ex-
ecutive In the department was recognized
as so valuable that when Mr. Cortelyou
went to the Treasury and wished to take
Mr.. Hitchcock with him the latter was
asked by the President to remain where
he was and help Mr.. Meyer. In the early
part OF Mr.. Meyers regime the impression
gained ground that Mr.. Hitchcock was
the whole thing in the department.
thn,,ev -,o,, ho Do ae<<
got settled down into his stride this false
impression was corrected.
During his period of INDIGESTION. when
various newspapers from time to time
announced that he would resign. Mr..
Hitchcock has said that "even If he did
resign 1t would not he until much later,
and that conditions now are different"
What has occurred to decide him and
crystalline resolve?
His Probable Future.
Mr. Hitchcock probably sees ahead Of
him a triumphant campaign. built on a
foundation of southern delegates. a great
republican victory. and. finally. nice new
portfolio in Mr.. Taft's cabinet
1t is understood that Mr.. Hitchcock will
manage the campaign outside of Ohio.
that state being left In the hands of Ar
thur I. VOrys.
Postmaster General Meyers statement
regarding Mr.. IIitchcOcks resignation is
as follows:
The Postmaster General annoupced
this afternoon that Mr.. Hitchcock had
decided to accept the invitation of the
friends of Secretary Taft to assist in the
management of his campaign for the pres
idential nomination Of the republican par
ty. Mr.. Hitchcock will tender his resig-
nation as first assistant postmaster gen.
eral to take effect February IS.
Mr.. Charles P. Grandfield Of Missouri,
the ranking officer of the bureau. who has
acted as first assistant in the absence of
Mr.. Hitchcock, will succeed to the va
cancy."
DIR. Grandfield, who Is to succeed Mr..
Hitchcock. was born at Troy. Lincoln
county, Missouri. in 1861, and keeps his
voting residence there. He was appoint
ed to the Post ONCE Department as clerk
at 1000 in August. 1885. and has risen
through every grade to his present posi-
ton. While in the department he took a
course in medicine at Howard University,
getting his degree Of Nj. d. in 1889.
DIR. Grandfed resides, with his wife and
two daughters, at 943 street: Mrs.
Grandfield is treasurer of the District w.
c. T. L. One daughter. Miss Clara. eight
cen years of age. was graduated from
Central High School last year. The other,
Miss Helen, aged fourteen years, is now
at the same school,