The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-16
SCALP DANCES.
Political Warriors Want Top.
Knots of Cabinet Members.
Ballinger and Hitchcock Are
Marked for Slaughter.
SOME OTHER CHANGES.
Dickinson May Quit to Run for
u. s. Senator.
MacVeagh's Health May Ne
cessitate Retirement.
SOME OTHER CHANGES.

| Washington, D. c.. March 16.-That
the next six months will see one OIL
more changes in the cabinet of Presi-
dent Taft is probable. Any one of sew
eraI changes may occur. Or. there
may be two or three changes. No lit
| tie gossip is af1oat in official and polit1-
cal circles.
Secretary of War Dickinson is one
| of the cabinet members whose tenure
may prove to be brief. This is not
| because he Is not in favor with the
president On the contrary. he is dis
| tinctly high in the councils OF the ad-
ministration. But the talk that he
will be a factor in the Tennessee SEN
atorial situation is persistent A con-
siderable element in that state Zee
that his election as senator Woulo
solve the factional troubles OF the
democracy in that commonwealth The
primaries will not be held until August
and there is ample time for Secretary
Dickinson to get into the race.
Secretary Ballinger is another un-
certain quantity in the cabinet. Presl-
dent Taft has stuck by Mr.. Ballinger
through thick and thin. But the presi-
dent is being told by plenty OF folks
that the secretary of the interior, po-
litically speaking, is a liability, not an
asset.
No warrant appears for the belief
that the president will in any way seek
now But when the storm raised over
Ballinger-P controversy has in
some degree settled, Secretary Balm
ger, it is declared on good authority
will step out of office. Mr.. Ballinger
on entering the cabinet did not ex-
pect to remain long, and he is led to
stay now largely because he does not
wish to retire under fire.
The case of Postmaster General
Hitchcock is interesting. OF late a
great deal has been creeping into print
to the effect that Mr.. Hitchcock is
tired of politics. Not long ago, rum
or gained currency that if Arizona
were admitted, Mr.. Hitchcock would
be one of the first senators from that
state. Mr.. Hitchcock's tenure in the
cabinet may or may not be prolonged,
but there is no doubt he is having a
rocky road to travel. For reasons
not fully disclosed. he is not in high
favor with some of the powers in con-
gress. Senators Aldrich and Hale are
mentioned as opposed to him and bent
on getting his scalp. While 1t is not
to be supposed he will get out of the
cabinet to satisfy them or that the
president will force him out, in view
of his services, there is said to be not
much doubt he would step out if an
opening to his liking presented itself.
Secretary McVeagh's health is not
good and for this reason his stay in
the cabinet is uncertain. He un-
doubtedIy is one of the strong men of
the presidents official family.
Secretary Wilson's stay in the cab
met apparently is indefinite. Rumors
arise continually that he will leave
and are as often denied. AS things
stand now, the indications are he may
stay on until he sees fit to drop out.
He likes the job very much, and If his
wishes were consulted, it is said, he
would remain in as long as he was not
asked to retire-indefinitely. Con-
gresham Charles F. Scott of Kansas,
chairman of the house committee on
agriculture, is the strongest man men
toned to succeed Mr.. Wilson, and will
undoubtedly be taken into the agri-
cultural portfolio when a vacancy oc-
ours.