The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-07-02
SMASHING UP
The CABINET.
Talk Of Resignation Of SeCre-
tay James Wilson,
He is AN OLD MAN, BUT SPRY

FNSSSh 1SaNhiS TiSSibShe 81 =
Official Family - Colonel Hepburn's
New Oecupation-Consular Appoint
ments and the Merit System.
Washington, June 3O.-[Special. AL
though the Taft cabinet is only a few
months old cabinet smashers already
are at work They have started the
report that Hon. James Wilson, secre-
tary of agriculture, has decided to re-
sign with the understanding that his
successor will take hold about the end
of the year. They have even picked
out his successor in the person of Rep
resentative Scott of Kansas, chairman
of the house committee on agriculture.
1t is said that Farmer Wilson, having
served longer than any other cabinet
officer since the foundation of the gov
eminent, is now willing to quit public
life on that record. 1t is no eXaggera-
ton to say that no man ever served
in cabinet who was more generally
popular with congressman of both
parties than is Mr.. Wilson. He is
given credit also for having rendered
his country magnificent service. The
secretary is old in years, but not in
actions. He's a spry man yet, and
great many will believe that he has
resigned only when they get official
notice to that effect.
From Debating to AutomobiIing.
Colonel Pete Hepburn, who was for
so many years a representative in con-
gress from Iowa, but who was bowled
out at the last election when a Demo
crat was elected in his district, has
become an automobile enthusiast and
has a fine touring car of his own. Al
though he is seventy-six years of age,
he is as active as most men many
years his junior. Probably no man
who served the same number of terms
in the house has engaged in more
rough and tumble debates than Colo
mel Hepburn. He has recently return
ed from an extensive automobile trip,
having visited the Gettysburg and An
tietam battlefields and ether historic
places in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Allotment Of Consular Appointments.
The understanding is that some time
in July number of consular appoint
ments will be made from among the
list of men who have passed the ex-
aminations held under the merit sys-
TEN" that President Roosevelt ordered
observed just after congress passed the
consular reform bill, as it was called.
Mr. RoocayaIt SpacioIIy diraotad fhot
In making future appointments the
officials of the state department should
see that the favors were distributed so
that the states might be given their
Just quota. A number of senators and
are complaining that
their constituents write them that ia
is being shown and that ap-
pointments are being made from states
which already have more people in the
service than they are entitled
to. The states which have the bulk Of
the places are New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. The Dis
trict of Columbia, however, which has
only a little more than 100000 popula-
ton, has nearly thirty places in this
service and quite a number of the very
best paying ones. This District really
has more than all Of the New England
states put together.
Activity For Ship Subsidy.
The merchant marine league men,
)ers are unusually active now. They
gave a big dinner here the other night,
o which many of the leading public
men were invited. 1t was a sort of
conference regarding the outlook for
getting a ship subsidy bill through /.
congress. Some of the advocates of |
he policy even urge that efforts |
hould be made to pass a bill in the |
,xtra session, but the indications are .
hat nothing will be done until next .
winter.
Stretch Franking Privilege.
Every now and then a congressman
Ittempts to send something through
he mails under his frank that the law
loes not permit to be sent free, al
hough numerous articles can be ship
,ed in this way without expense to
he statesmen. When they violate the
tEuldllOh tue Aull lboSNdHt 10 dHStSs-
d, and in several instances members
# the house have been required TO
,ay from 50 to SIS on typewriters.
rhe other day Senator Taliaferro of
florida presented each senator with
couple OF pineapples grown in his
tate. Senator Smith of South Caro-
ina thought it would be nice thing
o send his to Mrs. Smith, who was
It home, but the postal authorities
discovered the brace Of pineapples and
lotified him that he would have to
ork over a large number of stamps,
o he did not send the luscious fruit
o his better half"
Hard on Stenoeraphers.
One of the official stenographeTs of !
he senate has collapsed and been COM
,elled to put a substitute in his place
While he takes a rest that is absolute
v necessary. Two others also are
,adly broken down. on an average
he senate stenographers have been
ompelled to report 10000 words a
az. Within a given time more words
ave been spoken on the tariff in the
enate than ever before since this gov
rnment was founded.
CHARLES w. ARTHUR.