Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-01-23

for Hughes, he may suceei in bagglng
the game but If he does 50, be may
cause such a split in the party, that the
democratic candidate may via at Inc
election. On the other hand, II the
President t. kes no part in the hunt the
governor may pot Secretary Iaft snd
with him the Presidents ambition to
name his own successor. That tns
President fully realizes the p'tfslls
which threaten his course, is evident oY
the extreme caution he is now display
ing. He is feeling every step before
setting bic feet firmly upon the grouuo'
and the little coteIie OF New York re-
publican congressmen who have been In
the habit of running 10 the White House
for comfort and guidance, have, for Inc
last forty-eight hours, been Ia great DIS
tress. They have not been able to deter
mine where they stand. 1t they declare
against the governor, their people at home
NAV swat thtm, and If they align them
selves boldly with Hughes, the Preiident
may whack them with the big stlcF.
From the fact that the President has net
given out any tips to the crowd, II Is
believed that he is waiting to see Jist
what sort of platform the governor
will build for himself on the 3lst when
be has promised to declare his prlncl-
pies before the New York Republican
Club. II he should take a few planks
from the Pfesinent's own structure tn1
pledge himself to follow up the impor-
tsnt Roosevelt cSusades, the situation
gould be further complicated, aud the
administration further embarrassed. 10
that event, the President would hsve
very little excuse for "buttiDg TO-" In
spite of the fact that the Hughes an
nouncement seems to have strength
frou, the field, and especially from TAFT,
sll the boomers of ''favorite sons," de-
clare they are glad it was made. "It is
just what we were hoping for" they are
saving. Now we know where Hughes
stand" The Taft followers, even more
than the olhers, say they esn fight
better with an adversary in the open
than one who is concealed in the cane-
brake.
A special Cabinet meeting was held
today at which were present Secretaries
Taft, Root, Meyer, Metcalf, Strsus and
Garfield. 1t is sderstOod that the suit
Iect discussed was the charge that the
President has been making federal sp-
pointments for political purposes. Each
member of the Cabinet had been re-
quested to bring with him a list OF sp-
continents made since the beginning OF
the present session of Congress. 1t WIS
announced after the meeting that the
President would prepare a statement on
the subject TO be made public later.
Secretary Taft was the only membtr OF
the Cabinet who would discuss the mat
ter for publication. He said, with 9
laugh: 81 suppose the appointments
in my department have been very politI-
cal, indeed. Army officers bave 80
much influence in presidential elections.
Then l have made two appointments
In the Philippines---one democrat sn6
the other Filipino. You can see how
significant they are"
RetiremeDts of seven officers OF the
army who were physically unable to take
the test in skilled horsemanship IS d.
rected by the President last fall, were
announced by the Sscretsry of War TO-
day as fOllows: Colonel j. NJ. Mar
shall, Major Zsbulen B. Vance, Major
George Palmer, Msjor H. H. Benham,
Major P. NJ. Travis, Major II. NJ. Hal
lock and Chaplain Patrick j. Hart.
These retirements were decided upon A.
conference between the President aud
Secretary Taft al the White House
Tuesday night. Further consideration
will be given the clses Of Lieut.. Coils.
W. w. Robinson aud O. ~. l. s.ak.
Secretary Shaw of the Treasury De-
partmeDt, had short talk with the
President today ard when he left the
Executive Office said be was unable to
confirm or deny even half the rumors
that have been told shout his future.
The U. s. Supreme Court today de-
MED the application for a review of the
Chicago Street Railway cases.
Among the last things done by the National
Bosrd Of Trade before adjOurning its annual
convention today was the adoption Of resc-
luton approving the principles of the Bever-
idge bill for permanent tariff comm isslon,
and calling for tariff revision as soon as ex-
pedient Philadelphia delegates fought the
resolution, but New York aud New EOgland
had sufficient strength to pull it through.
Approval was also Civ to the postal savings
banks as proposed By Posimaster-General