The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-06-10

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platform builders are busy with their
plans whipping the Republican dec
laration of principles into shape to
the satisfaction Of President Roose-
welt and Secretary Taft the slatemak-
ers are also busy figuring out the per-
sonnel Of the Taft cabinet.
Frank H. Hitchcock, manager of
the pre-convention campaign for Taft,
Is said to be slated for postmaster
general. This would involve either
the shifting of Postmaster General
Meyer to another post or his retire.
ment from the cabinet. Mr.. Meyer is
prominently mentioned for secretary
of the treasury. This arrangement
would fit into the movement to have
Mr.. Cortelyou nominated for the vice
presidency in order to bring New
York State and the financial interests
into support Of the Republican ticket
during the coming Campaign. ~r
Some Taft men are urging Mr.. Mey-
er for chairman Of the Republican ma
tional committee in opposition to SEN
ator w. Murray Crane, OF Massachu-
setts. who Is reactionary and who
Is the candidate Of the "allies" for the
Craftsmanship. Mr.. Cortelyou was
made chairman Of the national com.
mite. being taken from the postoffice
department, and he was made secre-
tary of the treasury at the close of
the campaign Meyer may follow his
course.
The secretary of agriculture, James
wilson, OF Iowa, the only member Of
the original Mckinley cabinet who
has held his position continuously. is
not expected to serve longer than
March next II he retires Clifford
Pinchot Of Massachusetts,, now chief
of~the Forestry Bureau, may be
made the Secretary of Agriculture.
His ambition is to serve in that 'capa-
city, and if Mr.. Taft is elected, this
ambition will probably be gratifed.
Mr.. Oscar S. Straus, Of New York,
Will probably remain In his present
position and likely will be the only
member Of the present Cabinet to
remain In Office, unless Secretary
Rsot consents to remain at the head
of the State department, where he
has rendered such ideal service: Mr..
Theodore E. Burton, member Of con-
gress from Cleveland, Will almost
certainly have a position in any cab
met Mr.. Taft has the opportunity Of
appointing. Mr.. Burton is very close.
and politically to Mr.. Taft.
His admires assert that he would
serve with distinction IN at least three |
cabinet positions-secretary Of staue..
secretary of the treasury or attDrnewl
general. He is lawyer by training
and would probably prsfer the attor-
ney geralship or the treasury port
foffo. He was the friend and biogr.
rapher OF John Sherman and hassl
and written extensively or|l
financial subjects. r Burton ISL
made Secretary of the Treasury then I
the post Of Secretary OF the Navyl!
world probably go to Meyer.
But Mr.. Truman H.. NeYberry; tfie'
present assistant Secretary Of tfie.I
Navy fs generally regarded as havingl
the strongest chance Of securing the
navy portfolio. If Secretary Metcalr1
were to retire before the end OIL
RoOsevelt's term it is Believed the
president would name Nr Newberry
as his successor. Mr.. Newberry' was
one OF the organizers Of the Michigsn
Naval Brigade and served on the |
Yosemite in the Spanish war. He lhs
made an able assistant secretary.
The attorney generalship will be |
sne cc the most important posts to- be
nllef by the next president. At least |
five men are mentioned for the place |
Milton c. Purdy. Of Minnesota, chief
trust buster Of tiSe present a,fmin- |
fstratfon; Frank b. Kellogg. who rep
resented the government in the suit
against the Hartman roads; Attorney
General Wade Eiris, of Ohio: Theo-
dore e. Burton and Judge Edward S.
O'Rear. Of the supreme court Of Ken
tucky. Junde O'Feear is a strong Taft
man and his selection would probably
strengthen the chance of q Repubrf-
can victory in Kentucky.
Secretary Taft may name a Demo-
crat as a member Of his cabinet II
elected president. Gen. Luke Wright,
Of Tennessee, Is said to have been
chosen by President Roosevelt to
succeed Mr.. Taft If the latter Is nomi-