The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-04
PRESIDENT READY
TO TAKE OFFENSIVE
Administration w i'll
Garry War Into En-
emy S Country.
o P EN- | N G G MS
ALREADY LOADED
Taft Will Open Campaign in
Washington, and Wickersham
in Chicago-Propose to Play
Politics in Order to Regain
Lost Pres
tige.

Washington. April 3--'The Taft ad-
mipistration is about to defend itself
aggressively before the people. Con-
vinced that the public mind has been
impressed by attacks of various kinds
upon the administration in many parts
of the country. and that the criticisms
cannot be permitted to pass unan
swered without injury to Republican
prestige, the party leaders have de-
cided to carry the war into enemy's
country" President Taft is now de-
clared to be ready and anxious to as
sumo the offensive.
The opening guns will be fred next
Saturday night in Washington by the
President In person, and In Chicago by
Attorney General Wi>kersham.
Mr.. Taft Will speak in this city on
the subject of Organization, and he
will be supported by other powerful
orators of the Republican party. At
torney- General Wickersham's subject
will be the policies of the administra-
ton.
Expected to Resign.
Little is being said by the party
leaders about the issue of "Cannonism''
beyond the statement that this ques-
tion will take care of itself at the
right time. The only explanation
vouchsafed for his comment is that
Speaker Cannon is expected to resign
the speakership at the close of the
present session of Congress.
Should the Speaker thus resign at
time when there would be no oppor-
tunity to choose his successor before
next winter, 1t is argued that several
nf
benefit by Immediately announcing
themselves as candidates. No official
statement on this subject is expected
from the Speaker. His friends believe
that it would be inadvisable for him
to weaken the organization of the
House at this time r. disclosing his
| intention. They argue that in view OF
| the recent battle in the House all tho
| force that was retained By the Re-
| publican majority is needed If the adj
ministration program as to Legislation
is to succeed.
Rumors are circulated with con-
siderable freedom about the Capitol
! that before the congressional elections
come. changes nay be expected in the
| Presidents Cabinet, but none of these
| stories can be confirmed: In fact, no
( one processes 10 have any first-hand
| information on the subject. AT the
| same time, the general impression
seems to be that an effort will be made
to strengthen the Cabinet in a politi-
cal way. Among the retirements
| oftenest mentioned as possible are
those of Secretary Dickinson, of the
War Department. and Postmaster
General Hitchcock. Also. it is stated
that Mr. Ballnger may resign from
the Interior Department at the close
of the present Investigation. IL the
change can be made without subject
ing himself to the charge of retiring
under fire..
Would Dust MacveaEIl.
Some of the party leaders are urg-
ing upon the President the desirability
of appointing to the Treasury some
man who has affiliated with the party.
| There is no dissatisfaction with the
administration of Secretary MacVeagh,
but some politicians argue that the
| President should not hesitate to use
every leverage to advance the admin
| istration politically. If two or more
changes should be made In the Cab
met, 1t is stated with some show Of
authority, that one of the places would
go to William j. Loeb, Jr., former
secretary to Mr. Roosevelt, now
/ Continued on Page Three