The Washington herald., 1909-01-31

10 set forth simply. lucidiy. clearly.
and in orderly array the essentials OF
/ an involved. complicated. entsngied.
and generally muddIed up case or
proposition The processes Of his mind
( are orderly and advance by weil-de-
dned steps from premise TO conclusion.
His intellectUals at work give out light
without heat; a steady. clear. constant
{ light marred by no sputterings or me-
teoric flashes. Il has been described
as light "in which il is easy 10 read
assured Interpretation OF law"
Mr. Knox's other attribute. usually
ascribed 10 genius is a certain peevish-
ness when he comes in contact with
minds less assured in their processes
and less capable than his own. IN the
Senate a certain fastidiousness which
IS one Of his dominating traits has kept
the prospective Secretary OF State out
Of general debates. He seldom takes
part in q running cross-fire OF argu-
ment On the infrequent occasions
Of his speeches they are carefully pre-
pared in advance and read TO the Sen
ate Mr.. Knox always asks that he be
not interrupted IN the course OF his
remarks
Senator'S and the Cabinet.
Il IS a nice question why Senator
Knox refused an opportunity TO go on
the Supreme bench. and a year later
accepted NJ Taft's offer 10 become
Secretary OF state in the Cabinet now
making. Few Senator'S resign their
seats TO accept Cabinet places or other
positions OF distinction and honor in
the public service. There have not
been more than two or three who have
taken this step IL the last three dec
AIDES. John Sherman was notable
exception TO the general rule He left
the Senate twice 20 become Cabinet
member. The first time was In 1877.
when he yielded TO President Hayes
insistent demand that he become Secre-
tary Of the Treasury He resigned from
the Senate again twenty years later TO
become Secretary OF State under Nc
Kinley. While James G. Blaine was
Senator from Maine he resigned to ac-
cept the state portfolio under Garfield
Mr. Blaine's Cabinet service terminated
with the assassination OF that Presi-
dent.
The personality OF the Secretary of
State-tO-be is not known TO any large
number Of public men in Washington.
careful discrimination OF a collector. In
his hours Of ease. he is rare teller Of
good stories and is delightfully."- compan-
ionable. In his daily walk he is not
austere, but no one ever saw another
Senator, or anybody else, clap him jovi-
ally on the back and hail him as Phil"
Mr.. Knox looks more Ike q French or
Italian churchman, whose. avOcatiUn was
diplomacy and Statecraft, than an Ameri-
can Senator There is shreWdness in the
distinctive droop of his keen eyes. His
face is an immobile mask which efectu-
ally eonceaIs his thought
Fond of TrOtting Horses.
Senator Knox plays golf and billiards.
but his favorfte diversion is driving fast
trotting horses He keeps ''roadssers''
here in Washington and at his country
home. Besides his Ellsworth Avenue
home in Pittsburg, Senator Knox has q
fine house in X street northwest in
Washington, and a summer home at his
tOrlc Valley Forge. near Philadelphia.
This farm has 800 acres Of land. with
i've houses on il, a swimming pool. a
golf course. running streams, shady
drives. and fine views. and Is an ideal
country place For years the Senator
had been looking for a place Of this kind,
and before making a selection he inspect
ed farms IN Virginia. West Virginia, New
York, Maryland. and Pennsylvania He
found just what he wanted within few
miles OF Philadelphia, and within three
hours ride of Washington.
Il is not OF record that Mr.. Knox has
ever said or done a foolish thing in his
public career. he carefully counts his
words for public consumption When q
man becomes accustomed to receiving