The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-29
FARMERS ASK TAT
To KEEP WILSON
IN CABINET
PRESlOENT-ElECT WILL AcCEDE
TO RURAL DEMAND. SAYS AL
FRED HENRY LEWlS-vENER
ABLE SECRETARY is II.
BY ALFRED HENRY LEWIS.

w AStilNd iO.N, Jan. -o~-lu his
cabinet making President-elect TAFT
has not languished for advisers.
Among the latter the most majestic
figures have been Mr.. Lodge. Mr..
Knox. Nh Hitchcock and Mr. liam
mond. This deep quartet OF counsel
are now To be augmented by the add
ton OF the farmers OF the land. OF
whom, putting ii modestly, there are
a round ll.000.0O0.
The farmers are beginning 10 stir
in the cause OF Secretary Wilson. They
want him retained as secretary of
agriculture. They are declaring that
cabinet preference In a cataract OF
letters. All of which are addressed Ia
Mr.. Taft. About two tons OF these
missiyes from the cornfelds viii be
waiting for him when he returns from
Panama
My own thought Is that Mr. Taft
will accede To the ruror demand True.
he has planned otherwise; but MIR.
Taft Is no one To stick to a plan in
the stark face or peril.
The farmer is patient, but revenge
fui. lie doesn't want many things,
but what few he wants he wants bad
about his wrongs.
II he be refused. il that cabinet pref
erence be put aside. rest secure that
the farmer thus politically denied.
VIII get enough OF somebody's hide TO
make most commodious saddle COW
en-
why, SO far as the agricultural de-
partment is concerned, should not the
farmer have his cabinet way? The
department is his: he should be given
voice in its direction. Besides, Mr..
Wilson has made best cabineteer.
He is "A years old. but the rings on
his venerable horns have in nowise
prevented him from sending out us
many garden seeds as the most ac-
lively youthful of his predecessors.
With Mr.. Taft, as with all new pres
idents. the great thought is to upbuild
unto himself machine" Being elect
ed once, he desires TO be elected
twice, and this after must be seen
TO.
Mr.. Wilson was never much of a
managing politician. His seventy.four
years have rendered him less SO than
ever As machine element he could
not be looked 10 for much. Wher-
fore, the Lodges, the Knoxes. the
Hitchcocks, the Hammonds. saw no
reason why he should be retained.
That portfolio might better go into
younger. more hustlng, hands, from
which convention returns would be
sure to flew in the guise of state dele.
cations. And SO il was settled; Mr..
Wilson must go.
Mr. Wilson Panteth for Place.
Mr. Wilson was All the time yearn-
ing 10 stay. Why should he not? lie
might as properly wish 10 remain in
the cabinet as might Mr. TAFT to go
into the White House. Also you wound
slump into error were you TO fancy
that Nh Taft is being thrust into the
presidency against his desire-drag-
ged ill., as il were, by the unwilling
and protesting horns
No. Mr. Wilson right to banker for
"A portfolio is as perfect as is Mr.
Tart 5 TO banker for presidency Hav-
ing settled which it only remains TO
say that MIR Wilson does banker for
IL, even as the worn mart panteth for
the water brook
Moreover, now the farmers-via the
mails-are fiocking To his back. there
is little or less doubt bat Mr. Wilson
will get It,
While no farmer myself was, and
once Is enough for mel hope that
Mr.. Wilson will have his ambition full
filed. Back quarter Of a century ago,
when Gen. Grant lay dying at Mount
McGregor, a bill was pending before
congress TO restore him to his old
rank at the head of the army. The
great soldier lay on his bed OF death
speed was necessary OF ii would be
forever too late.
The Democratic minority in the
house where the bill! was being con
sidered, with that good sense and
good taste which have so frequently
distinguished il, was resolved by fill
buster and every mean method OF par
liamcntary himilam to fritter away
the days until the generals death
should OF itself kill the bill. II was a
most noble program, and the Demo
Gratis cast about for ways and means
TO carry IL out
Democrats Hunted for Blockade.
What the Democrats needed was an
election contest case. Under what
house rules then prevailed seat con
test had precedence over measures
such as that restoring Gen. Grant to
the army
There was but one contest case on
the calendar. Secretary Wilson was Il
member Of the house. and the Demo.
ssraf VI hmm no JnfsafaI HuI