New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-03-06
TIE NEW GARNET.

There were no surprises in the list Of nom
nations for posts in President Tafts Cabinet
confirmed yesterday by the Senate. The names
OF the men TO be appointed as heads OF the
executive departments were known IN ADVANCE
and public opinion has measured and approved
the new Presidents selections. OF The nine
department chiefs three-Mr Knox, Mr. Meyer
and Mr. Wilson-have already been Cabinet
officers. Two more-Mr. Hitchcock and MI
Banger-have had experience as department
officials Four-Messrs MacNeagh, Dickinson
Wickersham and Nagel-enter the administra-
ton from private life. OF the nine members OF
the Cabinet. five-NIessrs. Knox, Dickinson
Wickersham Ballinger and Nagel-are lawyers
of distinction. and one more member-Mr Mac
Teagh-was a lawyer before he became en-
gagged in commercial pursuits.
The obstacles encountered In removing Mr..
Knoxs accidental disqualifcations for appoint
ment might have seriously diminished the avail
ability of an appointee less admirably equipped
than he is TO discharge the functions of the Sec
retaryship of State. Mr.. Knox's eminent fitness
for the place disarmed hostile criticism, as did
the general knowledge that he accepted the
post out Of a sense of public duty. He will have
the distinction of serving for at least two years
at a lower salary than any of his colleagues.
His trained abilities promise a highly salts
factory administration of the country's foreign
relations As a counsellor on domestic prob
lens his services will also be of great value 10
President Taft
Mr.. MacVeagh has shown business capacity
of high order. and his long experience in large
affairs amply qualities him 10 administer the
. Treasury Department Our system Of finance
limits the activities of the Secretary Of the
Treasury He has not the supervision which
he should have over the preparation of the an
nual budget and the inconsistencies Of our fnan-
cial and currency laws prevent him from play
ing the part which he should play as a factor
in the world of finance. Before the Taft admin
istration is over. however. the powers of this
office will probably be enlarged and its useful
ness materially increased.
Mr. Meyer has made a good record in the
diplomatic service and as Postmaster General.
He suggested practical reforms in postal admin
istration and will now have opportunity to
OCCUPY himself with the reforms in Organtza-
ton and management SO sorey needed IN the
Navy Department. That department has had
/ too many heads in the last eight years. com
petent administrator ought 10 he able in a four
years term to modernize its methods and intro
duce coordination and more direct reSpOnsi-
bility.
Mr.. Hitchcock has had valuable training in
departmental work. He has served in three de-
partments-A gricuIture. Commerce and Labor
and the Postofice-and was a member Of the
! commission appointed by President Roosevelt
10 study departmental methods and report on
the waste due 10 lack of efficient organization
and the duplication OF work in different de-
partments. He is thoroughly familiar with the
business of the PostOffice and the details OF the
reforms which the Postal Commission APP
pointed by Congress IS still considering.
The new Secretary of the Interior. Mr. Bal
linger was formerly Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Office in which post he showed
usual energy, industry and capacity. He will
he employed again in familiar field. The Sec
ready held that office for twelve years. He has
been q pioneer in extending its usefulness and
has the cordial. respect Of the farmers of
the country. without regard to section party.
One of the strongest appeals for his retention in
office came from the agricultural associations Of
South Carolina whose membership is almost
solidly Democratic.
OF the other Cabinet appOintees-Mr Dick
inson. the Secretary Of War; Mr.. Wlckersham.
rotary of Commerce and Labor-ali have been
known in private and professional life men
of high attachments. Mr. Dickinson and Mr..
Wickersham are rated among the foremost law
yerS in the United States. President Taft will
have about him body Of advisers and work
erS on whom he depend not only for first
rate business administration but for assistance
in carrying ont the political policies which he
announced in his inaugural address The coun-
try is to be congratulated on the new Cabinets
high average Of experience and talent.