Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-12-19
Frank II. Hitchcock to be postmaster
general already has been announced
authoritatively.
KNOX RESPONDS TO WHAT
iiI2 BELIEVES CALL or DUTY

kNOA RESPONDS TO WHAT
HE BELIEVES CALL or DUTY
Washington, -. c., Dec lS-Sen-
ator p G. Knox. who viii be secre-
tary of state in President Taft's cab
met, tonight discussed his selection
with the Associated Press
1T is true as Mr. Taft has am
nounced," he said, that | have ac-
copted his invitation to enter his cab
met as secretary Of state ! have
had the offer under consideration for
some time ana have been persuaded
by those with whom ! have consulted,
in ana out of the state of Pennsyl-
vania, that it is my clear duty to ac-
cept. | win leave the senate with
great regret as ! have enjoyed it's
duties and associations and with even
greater reluctance | Will lay down
the commission of the people of Penn
sylvania who have so splendidly sup
ported me by their approval of my
public service"
When asked whether he would rath-
err remain in the senate than accept
the cabinet portfolio Senator Knox
replied that never having served as
secretary Of state he could really
made no comparison
with me, he added public sorv-
ice is a duty which | accept not be
cause of any honor which | feel | may
derive therefrom. but because | feel
| owe it to my state and to my coun-
try I have therefore accepted phil
osophically the offers which have
come to me, being content to remain
where | was. serving as | felt that
was doing my duty as a citizen there
by.
1T was last sunday morning in
New York City" said the senator
that Mr.. Taft put the question point
blank as to whether ! would accept
the position. have thought over it'll
and at last, having decided
that it was my duty to accept, | sent
Mr.. Taft this afternoon the telegram
him that | should accept
mo man" he continued, should
enter public life for the sake Of the
honor which he will receive, or which
ne can draw therefrOm. Duty is the
only motive which should actuate any
man in accepting the responsibility"
Senator KnoX's first appearance as
A public figure was when he entered
he cabinet of William Mckinley as
attorney general in 1901. He was con
nued in the office by President
Roosevelt and served until he resigned
n 1904 to accept the scuatorship !
rom Pennsylvania
senator Knox while attorney gen |
'ral established a high record for his |
'elentless prosecutions of so-called |
rusts one Of his opponent Victories |
vas the suit against the Northern Sc
'urities company organized to take |
,ver the capital stock Of the Northern |
Pacific and Great Northern. The gov |
,rnment its case in the Cnited states !
'ourt.
Under the old order Of things the |
defendants could have appealed and |
postponed a final hearing Indefinitely |
Mr. Knox prepared for such a con /
ingency and secured the passage |
through congress of an act allowing
,ut sixty days in which to take an
ppeal tn the United States supreme
ourt and also providing that in cases
f this character the hearing could
e expedited and a decision speedily |
cached.
Mr.. Knox also waged notable
ght against the so-called "beef trust "
Ie filed an action against seven of
he beef corporations in 1902, charg-
lg the defendants with being in a
in restraint of trade. Judge
irOsscup. of Chicago, issued an in
lnction against the defendants and
ne injunction was later made perma
ent In an appeal taken to the Uni
ID States supreme court the govern
rent was sustained and the unlaW
II combination dissolved. soon aft
rward Mr. Knox won suits against
lurtoen railroads charging them with
)mbination in restraint of trade. The
anama canal purchase for 10000
90, recently the subject of a message |
'om the president was actually car
ed through by the then Attorney
cneral p. c. Knox to use the presi-
ants own language.
Mr.. Knox was appointed to the SEN
.e by Governor Pennypacker, June
}, 1904, to nh the vacancy caused by
lc death Of NJ Quay. He afterward
as elected for fun term which
ould expire March A. 1911.
Senator Knox Will it is believed, re-
gn his seat i'm the senate soon.
Former senators who have resigned
become secretary Of state We're
1hn sherman. Thomas f. Bayard,
frederick T. Frclinghuysen, James G..
laine. William II. Seward, Lewis
ass, John NJ Clayton, James Buch-
nan and Daniel Webster.