The Ely miner., 1911-03-10
BALL|NGER RESIGNS
RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY OF
INTERIOR ACCEPTED BY
PRESIDENT.
TO WAGE WAR ON HIS ENEMIES
Walter L. Fisher, of Chicago, Is Ap
pointed to Fill Vacancy.-Exe-
cutive Says Retiring Officer
Was Victim of Plot.

Washington, D. G. = The resigna-
tion of Richard A. Ballinger, of Seat
tie, as secretary of the interior was
accepted by President Taft, and Wal
ter l.. Fisher, of Chicago, was ap-
pointed as his successor. 1t appears
in the correspondence between Mr..
Ballinger and the president, which
was given out in full by the White
House, that the secretary's resignation
has been in the presidents hands since
Jan. 10; that it was held in suspen-
sion at the urgent request of the pres
ident, and that the latter at last ac-
cepted it only at the urgent request of
Mr. Ballinger.
In giving his consent to the secre-
tary's retirement, Mr.. Taft takes oc-
casion to declare with marked empha-
sis his unchanging faith in the integ-
rity, the motives and the official
standards of Mr.. Ballinger, and his
unmeasured indignation at the meth
DDS of those who assailed him, de-
claring that he has been ''the subject
of one of the most INSCRIPTIONS con-
spiracies for the defamation Of char
acter that history can show"
The secretary, in a written state
ment given out at the interior de-
partment, expressed the intention to
return forthwith to Seattle and after
rest resume the practice of law. He
says that his defense has cost him
not less than $4,000 and that he is
now a poor man.
Would Punish PIotters.
At the same time he declares it his
purpose now "to prosecute the arch
conspirators who have been follow
ing me with the assassin's knife"
Walter LOWE Fisher, Mr.. Ballinger's
successor, who will assume Office as
secretary of the interior within few
days, is Republican, and it was said
at the White House that Senator Gull
lom, the senior senator from Illinois,
was consulted in regard to his ap-
| pointment. His appointment gives two
| places in the cabinet to Chicago men,
Secretary MacVeagh, Of the treasury,
| being also resident of that city.
Mr.. Fisher has been notably active in
the movement for the conservation of
natural resources and is vice presi-
dent of the National Conservation as
sociation, of which Clifford Pinchot is
| president. Officers of that association,
whose headquarters are in Washing
| ton, expressed themselves as more
than pleased with the appointment of
Mr.. Fisher.
This Is the statement which Mr.. Bal
inger issued and he refused to add
to it:
Il shall Immediately return to my
home in Seattle and, after securing the
necessary rest, will actively take up
my professional work.
"The president has so fully ex-
pressed his confidence in me in his
letter that 1 have only to add that /
go out of Office feeling that no man
could have been more loyalty sup
| ported than l have been by the presi-
dent at all times, and he has my last
ing affection and my support in so far
as my feeble efforts may be of value.
81 give up my post without any re-
grets, except that of parting with most
agreeable associations. In fact, am
as happy to be free of the burdens Of
the Office as was reluctant to assume
them
1.-THE department in all it's bureaus
is in a better state of effective organ
ization than ever in it's history, in
which l take pride, and wish to accord
to the chiefs and other officers a full
measure of just commendation for
their energy, loyalty and devotion to
the public service.
"The great burdens of departmental
work, added to the strain of contend
ing against assaults from wicked and
dishonest men, have seriously injured
my health, and the cost of my defense
has not been less than $25,500, leaving
me a poor man.
"It is my purpose to prosecute the
arch-conspirators who have been fol-
lowing me with the assassin's knife.
The country shall know fully the in
Justice of the attacks upon me-"