New-York tribune., 1910-02-04
IFrnm The rrihune Bureau.

tFrom The Tribune Bureau-l
Washington, Feb. S.-While probably fe"
people place any credence in the assertion
of L. r. CLAWS. the dismissed special agent
of the General Land Office. that James
Rudolph Garfield was not retained in the
Taft Cabinet because he was opposed 10
the Alaska coal claims, the allegation has
started wave of discussion in which such
an amount of misinformation is being as
serted as fact that a declaration OF the
truth is timely. In accepting Secretary
Garfeld's resignation, President Tart was
actuated by two reaso IS First, as broad
proposition, Mr. Taft believed it highly i'm
portant to surround himself with a Cabinet
of men whose age and mature judgment
would. in so far as possible, Offset that
natural Difference which all good Americans
nav to the high office or Chief Executive
and who would not hesitate to assert thelr
own opinions, even when they did not agree
with those of the President. Second, he
knew that Secretary Garfield had ornclahg
asserted legal postulafe the ProPo-
sitioa that the Executive is clothed Will
authority to perform every act his discre
ton may dictate as for the good OF the
neople which is not specifically prohibited
by the Constitution or by statute 1hls
thesis was so repugnant to Mr- lait 5 we"
of the authority of the Executive llldl ITO
was convinced there could not be harnlo-
nious administration between himsen anu d
Cabinet officer who conscienuousiS malh-
tained it. Personal desire inclined MIN 10
retain the brilliant young Ohioan, but
actuated by d keen sense or ms reSpolisi-
biiity. and, moreover unwilling TO ask
member of his Cabinet to govern his
actions by legal theorem TO which he
subscribe,
cepted Mr.. Gariield's resignation with pro-
found regret
An examination of the roster of Presl-
dent Tafts Cabinet strikingly reFeais tiie
ideals which dictated its choice ana 'ii0
charac cter@ of the Chief Executive In no
single instance did Mr. Taft select ciose
personal friend. In majority OF III
stances ho chose attorneys or proven
ability. OF the nine members OF the Capi-
net five are lawyers The exceptions dio
the Secretary of the Treasury VINO "eN
chosen because Mr. Taft desired for that
post man of long business experience
and preferred one from the Middle West,
as being less amenable to Wall Street N
fuences, or the suspicion thereof. than
New York financier; the Secretary OF the
NAVY who had demonstrated a high
character of executive ability in the Post
office Department, and whose duties
would presumably demand of him COM
psratively little Interpretation of the
law; the Secretary of Agriculture VINO
was retained at the earnest request OK
President Roosevelt in order that he
might enjoy the distinction CT the long
est Cabinet service in history and VINO
had given his department remarkably
satisfactory administration, and the POST
master General. who had demonstrated
his executive capacity beyond peradvent-
,Ire in the Department of Commerce ana
Labor and in the Postofhce Department.
even before he undertook the management
of Mr. Taft's campaign
The choice of Senator Knox as premier
of the Cabinet was dictated solely by MI
Taft's confidence in the great ablllty OF
. that statesman. He knew Mr.. .Wlckershah'
but not intimately. Mr.. Wlekersnam was
the law partner of Mr.. TAFT prolhel'
Henry w Taft, and from him the Presi-
dent learned Of his ability and high stand
ing as q lawyer, while a conference with
Mr. Uickersram developed a harmony Of
legal views which augured well for una
r7irnitv OF opinion between the President
end his chief legal adviser. Secretary DICK
;nson was chosen because Of his legal
ability and the fact that he came from the
South which Mr.. Taft desired to nave es-
peciaIy represented at his Cabinet table
Mr. Taft had felt it necessary TO accept tle
resignation of Secretary Wright, VINO came
from, the, South, because he lacked the con-
fdence of the Filipinos, ana ne sought ~
replace him with a man from the same
sec1ion. The Secretary of Commerce and
Labor had proved his ability as lawyer
- y. came from Missouri, which Mr. rant