The Mankato free press., 1909-03-05
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Chicago. Feb. 26.-Franklin Mac
Neagh, secretary-to-be of the treasury,
and Jacob NJ. Dickinson, secretary-to-
be of war, had an informal cabinet
meeting last night in the Chicago
club.
The two Chicago men who are an
nounced as members of the cabinet OF
President Taft, were firm in the dec
laratons that only peasantries con
cerning the fine variety of Chicago
weather entered into the conversation.
I'm political, financial and business
circles the unofficial statement from
New York that the cabinet had been
completed by Mr.. MacVeigh's accept
ance of the treasury portfolio was
unquestioned The belief that Mr..
Dickinson has been placed definitely as
secretary OF war has been undisputed
here for several days.
Mr., MacVeagh maintained the atti-
tude which he has held since he en-
tered the limelight as a cabinet pos
sibility. He declined to commit him
self i'm any way.
Will Step Out of One Firm.
1t became known that legal advice
has declared Mr.. MacVeagh to be in
eligible to sit at the Taft cabinet
table so long as he is connected with
the firm of Franklin McVeagh & Co.
The fact is clear, it is announced, that
he must sever completely his cOnnec-
ton with the firm, officially and pri-
vately, before his nomination as see
retary OF the treasury can be con-
lirmed by the senate.
1t has been legally demonstrated, ac-
cording to the same source of informa-
ton, that Mr.. MacVeagh will not be
compelled to disturb his relations with
the Commercial National bank, of
which he long has been director.
In connection with the general be-
lief that Mr.. MacVeagh will be a mem
Der of the Washington cabinet circle
after March 4, the question of his pO-
litical affiliations came into prOmi
nence in the discussions in clubs and
political headquarters.
Mr.. MacVeagh was born a demo-
crat in Pennsylvania. His father and
brothers were democrats and the elder
MacVeagh was an active and infuen-
tial party leader. Franklin MacVeagh
became Il voter as the war was ending
and as Il northern man affiliated with
the republican party and east his first
vote for Grant in 1868.
I'm 1884 there was distinct rebel
lion in the republican party against
James G. Blaine's leadership. The sit
uation became acute i'm Illinois, and
wnaI really was the first broad indie
pendent movement in Chicago and Hi
nois politics was headed by Mr.. Mae
Neagh and his associates in the Blaine
Cleveland campaign for the presidency
Mr.. MacVeagh became an ardent Cleve
land man.
Returned to the Party.
1t is not understood that Mr.. Nav.
Neagh and his allies disagreed with
James G.. Blaine or the republican par
ty upon the tariff issue, inasmuch rs
the tariff was not considered at that
period an Overshadowing issue between
the two big parties.
In 1888 he supported Cleveland and
Thurman against Harrison and Reid
and in 1892 he was so generally ac-
cepted as democrat that the demo
cratic state convention of 1894 nomi
mated him as the popular candidate
for United States senator from Illinois
In 1896 William Jennings Bryan
ctHhe upon Ihe Ialiondi ponIicai stage
Mr.. MacVeagh Immediately allied him
self with the organization which made
possible the nomination of Palmer
and Buckner by the gold wing of The
democratic party.
Since that time Mr. MacVeagh has
been republican. He has been u con
sistent Roosevelt man, and Il strong
friend of Mr.. Taft personally and poll
tically.