The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-12-24
KNOXFOR HEAD OF CABINET
PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR AC'
CEPTS PORTFOLIO OF STATE.
Taft Well Pleased at AppOintee's De-
cision to Accept OMce-Recogni-
ton of Keystone State.

cision to Accept Ofice-Recogni-
ton of keystone State.
Augusta, Ca, Dec. 1S.-William
H. Taft, president-elect of the Unit
ed States, announced the appoint
ment of United States Senator
Philander C. Knox, of Pennsylvania,
as secretary of state in his cabinet.
The announcement followed the
receipt by Mr.. Taft of a telegram,
which came late this afternoon, con-
veying the information from Mr..
Knox that he would accept the pre-
miership of the Taft cabinet. Mr..
Taft without delay made the an
nouncement that the matter was set
tied. Il. .,,-
In giving the details of the nego-
tiations, he said that the offer was
made to Mr.. Knox last Sunday morn
ing in New York. That since the Of
fer he had not heard from Mr.. Knox
until the telegram he received today.
After consultation with Secretary
Root in Washington last Saturday
afternoon Mr.. Taft said he made an
effort to see the Pennsylvania sena-
tor there, but was informed that he
was in New York to attend the din
ner of the Pennsylvania society. He
wired Mr.. Knox to see him at the
Henry W. Taft residence Sunday
morning. The appointment was kept,
Mr.. Knox concluding his visit in time
for Judge Taft to attend the morn
ing church service, but remaining at
the Taft residence until after Judge
Taft had gone to church.
Mr.. Taft Gratifed.
81 feel that I am to be congratu-
lated in securing the services OF
Senator Knox in my cabinet" said
Judge Taft in making the announce
ment and making the statement with
the understanding that he was to be
quoted. I'm selecting a secretary OF
state I wanted first a great lawyer
and second a man who would fill the
public eye, not only here but abroad,
as man who stands out preeminent-
ly great American.
Mr.. Knox was great attorney
general, he was a candidate for the
presidency and he is recognized in
the Senate and elsewhere as one of
the great lawyers of that BODY
Judge Taft also feels that from
political viewpoint the selection of
Mr.. Knox is most happy. He explain
ed that there was often a feeling that
the State of Pennsylvania, with its
assured Republican majority, often
was sighted in the matter Of recog-
nition in the high councils of the
party. That this will not be the case
in the next administration was indi-
Gated by the announcement by Mr..
Taft that he should invite Senator
Knox to come to Augusta that he
might consult him freely with refer
ence to filling other places in his
cabinet. In fact, he said, he felt the
need of such advice as he should be
able to obtain from Mr.. Knox re-
garding not only the cabinet, but |
many matters preliminary to the |
beginning of his administration.
That Mr.. Knox's influence will be
potent was freely admitted by Mr.. |
Taft.
The hesitation of Senator Knox to
make a more speedy decision is in
terpreted as due to his desire to ar
range with due regard for the inter-
ests of the party and his State for
relinquishing his seat in the Sen
ate.
Mr.. Taft evidenced qualification at
the decision which has been reach
ed.
Mr.. Taft said tonight that he had
not determined definitely on any one
for the attorney generals place in
the cabinet