Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-05-18

Washington. May 12.-Secretary of
War Jacob McGavock Dickinson of Ten
nessee, the democratic member of Presi-
hent Taft's cabinet, has resigned Henry
l.. Stimscn of New York, defeated re-
publican candidate for governor of that
State last fall, has been given the war
portfolio. This announcement was made
at the White House tonight and occas-
loned great surprise.
In the letters EXCHANGED between the
President and Mr.. Dickinson no reason,
other than that of pressing private at
fairs, IS given for the secretary's retire
ment. The President will confer with
Mr. Stimson IN New York tomorrow
or Sunday. but the new secretary of
wal will not be sworn in until the return
of the President to the capital on Mon
day.
Mr., Dickinson will go to his Tennessee
home Immediately upon the qualification
IF his successor. He expects to devote
his attention to business and will not
return to the practice of law. in which
he was engaged when President Taft APP
pointed him secretary Of war in March.
1909. He is the second member of Mr.
Taft's cabinet to retire to private life
Secretary of the Interior Palingcr re-
signed only a few months ago
a SOP FOR SHERMAN CROWD.
Coincident with the announcement of
Mr. Dickinson's retirement came that of
the appointment of G. S. Wilmington OF
!Icrkimer, n Y, to he assistant treasurer
Of the United States at New York. Mr.
Stimson was the Roosevelt candidate for
governor, while Ny Millingto. was a for
mer member of the House from the 9th
New York district. and is n close friend Of
Nice-President Sherman and other leaders
of the old guard in tn estate. having sue
ceeded Mr. sherman in the House when
the latter became vice-president
in the two appointments official Wash
ngton found food for speculation and
many politicians thought they saw therein
the first step of the administration to
straiEhten out the tangled skein of New
York politics.
The President not only has the highest
personal regard for Mr.. Stimson. but he
Is also we'll aware that the appointment
will be acceptable to a large faction of
the Republican party in New York. While
the selection was made after only a few
DAYS consideration, Senator Root and
other leaders were consulted and gave II
their unqualified approval
Former President Roosevelt was not
called into conference. but there is
no question that he must approve the
naming 10 such an important post Of
q man for whom he worked tooth and
nail last fall
REASONS FOR RESIGNATION.
The position of assistant treasurer
at New York, which has been given
to the Sherman Barnes Woodruff fac
ton, while not so important as that
given to the RooScvelt-Parsons faction
is believed here to be move in tn,
direction CT peace. Friends of the Pres
ident were pleased tonight over tho
political outlook.
Unofficially Washington tonight dis
cussed the resignation OF the secre-
tary of war. Unoffcially also there
were those who found other reasons
than that given in his letter.
Mr.. Dickinson is q democrat. Hi.
presence in the cabinet of a republi,
can President has not been looked
upon with favor by some Of Mr.. TAFT.
political advisors and naturally Mr.
Dickinson also found the discussion il
the cabinet of party measures Otter
personal embarrassment.
There were others who thought thai
Mr. Dickinson had incurred some cr
ticl,ns by his conduct Of the war offlc,
As vas pointed ont recently, there hay,
been reports of friction over the Mexican
situation between the state department
ana tie war department. In some quar-
State KNOX was being ovcrshadowed b,
MI. Dickinson and there We're report
that the former contemplated resirning
but these mot with official den.als. Their
had been no hint that Mr. Dickinson
contemplated retirement
TWO NEW YORK MEMBERS
The appointment of Mr.. Stimson vii
give New York two members Of tn
cabinet, Attorney General YVicksrshan
being a resident of that State.
Following is the correspondence be
tween President Taft and Secretary Dick
mSCn:
Secretary Dickinson's letter:
washington, April 2S, 1911.
Dear Mr., President:--As my affair
have recently so changed as to reouir
my personal attention in Tennessee
herewith tender my resignation as seer,
taTy Of war to take effect as soon as ma
- COMPATIBLE with the public interest
cannot express how much | appreciat
the honor and confidence which y0;. hay
bestowed upon me and the uniform kline
ncss with which you have always treat
me. The memory Of having enjoyed II
privilege of being associated with yC
and my colleagues of the cabinet in II
discussion of so many great questions a
fe"ting the welfare of our country will a
ways be cherished by me as inestlmable
Mr.. Dickinson wrote again on May
when Mexican affairs appeared to hay
become gravor asking that the Presiden
In considering his resignation, wou
"please ignore all personal reasons az
vanced by me 90 support IT, and be guido
alone by public interest"
WORK ALWAYS ADMIRABLE.
Tho President replied on May ST
my dear Secretary Dickinson:
have your letter of resignation and a