The Washington herald., 1909-01-06

Augusta, Ga. Jan. sit is practically
certain that Col Robert n. Thompson,
Of New York. viii be Secretary Of the
Navy in the Taft Cabinet Col Thomp-
son arrived here to-day and viii have a
talk with 1Ir. Taft tomorrow. He visited
Mr.. Taft twice at Hot Springs and his
appearance in Augusta adds strength TO
the impression that he is slated for
this portfolio.
James Wilson, the present Secretary oE
Agriculture. IS TO be resppointed by Dir.
Taft. It is his ambition TO make a record
for length Of Cabinet service and this he
viii be able TO do by being in the Taft
Cabinet about a year. Secretary Wilson
viii resign from the Taft Cabinet after
he has realized his ambition.
Myron I Herrick is stiH in the running
for Secretary Of the Treasury. In fact.
the choice apparently lies between him
and George Won L. Meyer, the present
! Postmaster General
Visited by Ministers.
Twenty-Five Protestant ministers from
Augusta and vicinity also dropped in at
the Taft cottage IN a body. Inasnuch
as the Chamber OF Commerce and other
secular organizations had called on Mr..
I Taft TO extend the hospitality OF Augusta
they thought it only proper that they
should add their combined voice 70 the
welcome In replying. Mr. Taft dwelt
upon the moral awakening IN this c5un-.
try and the effect Of church influence On
civilization He said:
We have had in the past four years
IN this country q great moral awakerlne.
Inere was a period IN which. IN the tre-
imendous hurry Of prosperity. We dls ne
stop 20 think exactly Of the moral re-
/ sDonsibilities that came with the great
/ success. business and material. that ue
were enjoying But think we al II tie.
last four years have felt reassured as 20
the healthful core Of or civilization IN
/ the fact that right in the midst Of al
/ that prosperity, when presented with
( some revelation Of business cor-rptIo1
/ the people. in spite Of the comfort t,,er
T were enjoying. rose and demanded that
+ there should be reforms; >har there should
+ be an elevation in the moral business tone
( and political tone OF the community.
Sir- Taft had something 70 say 10 the
ministers about 2 talk he had with TIA
pope IN regard 70 the relations OF church
and state II this country
/ Church and state.
/ He said: I had the honor 70 represent
/ this country in a transaction Of busi-
1 ness character with Leo XIII at the Var
/ ican, and there I pointed out 10 him,
with al the emphasis possible, thar ths
separation OF the church ard state was
+ in the interest o fthe church. and that in
America he could count on the sustaining
/ OF the rights Of the church and its en-
tcouragement BY every legitimate means.
on the part OF the people. without its as
suming any governmental function OF
+ having any governmental right. such as
/ il has in other countries
Nr. Taft. speaking Of the problem %
negro education. told the ministers he
was IN favor OF maintaining a few eX-
ceIlent universities IN the South that shall
teach the colored men who are 10 be
( leaders Of their people al that can pos
si5Iy be taught white man.
Speaking Of the difficulties which be IS
about 10 face as head Of the Nation, 8Ir-
/ Taft said ne looked forward 10 them with
trembling, lest the hopes and the exepres-
sions Of good viii, which are now 50 de-
IightfUl 70 him, may not be quite so en-
thusiastic and quite so generous when he
go out