The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-13
Only Democratic Mem
Der of Taft S Cabi-
net Steps Out.
CHANGE CAUSES
GREAT SURPRISE
New Secretary Is Defeated Can
didate for Governor Of New
York and Friend of Roose-
velt-P Being Played 4.
to straighten Out Bad
Party Tangle.

Washington, aIny l:.-secrctary OF
Wnr Jncob McGnvock Dickinson, Of
Tennessee, the Democratic member OF
President Tntt's Cabinet, has resigned.
Henry l.. stimson, of New York re-
Gently defeated Republican candidate
FOR Governor of that state, has been
given the war portfolio. This nm
nouncemcnt WINS made Mt the White
House Tonight and caused great sur
prise. ,s
In the letters exchanged between the
President and Mr.. Dickinson no rea-
son. other than that of pressing pri-
vate affairs. is given for the secre-
.tarys retirement. The President will
confer with Mr.. stimson In New York
tomorrow or Sunday. but the new
Secretary of War Will not be sworn In
until the return of the President to the
ca pital on Monday
Mr.. Dickinson Will go to his Ten
nessee home Immediately upon the
qualification of his successor He ex-
poets to devote his attention to busi-
ness, and Will not return to the prac-
tice OF Law in which he was engaged
when President Taft appointed him
Secretary OF War in March. 1900 He
is the second members of Mr. rafts
Cabinet to retire to private life Sec
rotary of the Interior BallngerE hav-
ing severed his connection with the
Presidents official family, only few
months ago. 3
Coincident with the announcement
of MIR. Dickinson's retirement came
that Of the appointment OF c. s. Mill
tnston. of Herkimer. n. Y, to be As
sistant Treasurer OF the United states.
at New York.
Was Roosevelt Candidate.
Mr.. Stimson was the Roosevelt can
didate for Governor, while MIR. Nils
lington was a former member OF the
House from the Twenty seventh New
York District. and Is a close friend of
Vice. President Sherman and other
leaders Of the Old Guard in the state.
having succeeded MIR. Sherman in the
President. iii
In the new appointments. official
Washington found food for POPULATION.
and generally politicians thought they
saw therein the first step of the ad
ministration to straighten out the
tangled skein of New York politics.
No effort was made By the President
to conceal the satisfaction With which
he viewed the appointment of Mir.
stimson. Not only has he the highest
personal regard for he Incoming mem
ha c lpa
aware that the appointment will be ac-
ccptable TO a large faction OF the Re
publican party in New York. While
the selection of Mr.. Stlmson was made
after only a few days consideration.
| Senator Root and other leaders were
consulted. and gave 1t their unquali-
fled approval, Former President
Roosevelt was not called into confer
ence. but there Is no question but that
he must approve the naming to such
an important position of a man for
whom he worked tooth and nail in the
recent governorship campaign.
The position of assistant treasurer
at New York which has been given to
the Sherman Barnes w oodruf faction,
while not SO important IS that given
to the Roosevelt Parsons faction, is be-
lieved here to be move in the direc-
ton of peace that will count for much
in the future. Friends of the Presi
political outlook.
Find Other Reasons
Unofticlally. Washington tonight dis.
cussed with relish the resignation OF
the Secretary of War. Unofiicially also
there were those who found other rea.
sons than that given in his letter.
Mr.. Dickinson is a Democrat. His
presence In the Cabinet of a Republi-
can President has not been looked
upon with favor by some OF Mr., Tafts
political ADVISERS. who were Of tha
! opinion that the Office OF Secretary or
War should be held by some one OF
the Presidents own party, and also
pointed out that Mr. Dickinson might
prove q source OF embarrassment when
the 1912 presidential campaign begins.
Naturally, Mr.. Dickinson also found
| the discussion in the Cabinet OF party
measures often a personal embarraas-S
ment. ite
There We're others who thought that
Mr.. Dickinson had incurred some crit II
| ictsnS by his conduct of the war Office.
AS was pointed out recently. there have Il
been reports OF friction over the Mex q
icun situation between the State De
partment and the War Department In 4
some quarters 1t was asserted that Sec
rotary OF State Knox was being over
shndowed BY MIR. Dickinson and there
We're reports that the former contem- n
plated resignins, but these met WITH
hint that Mr.. Dickinson contemplated
retirement
The President moved swiftly when
he found that he had to select new
Secretary of War. On Wedne sday
night Secretary Hilles was dispa ched
10 New York post haste. He met Mr.
Stimson the next day, but the latter
wished to consult with his father Who
was then on the Atlantic bound fforS
Europe. Mr.. Hilles came hnck 10 "
Washington and Mr. stimson resorteaM