The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-08
Taft Scores His Enemies as
Public Conspirators and
Shows Scorn.
WAL1ERL. FISHER SUCCEEDS
BaIIingsr Lot Go Solely Because
Of Bad Health and
Pscunlary Loss.

WASHINGTON. March .--Richard A.
rsllinser Of the State OF Warrington
~ill be succeeded as Secretary OF the
Interior in the Taft Cabinet by Walter
l. FISHER illinois. Announcement
cf Mr. Ballnger's resignation and the
stpointment Of MIR. Fisher as his sue
lessor was made at the White House
to-day Mr.. Ballinger will quit the
Interior Department Immediately upon
the qualification Of Mr.. Fisher. who,
according to statements made by White
House officials. will be inducted into
effoe this week
MIR Ballinger's retirement makes the
first break in the Taft Cabinet. Although
has been known for a long time that
Mr Bsllinger had no intention of retain
ing the Interior portfolio until the end
Of the Administration. the announce
uent OF the resignation at this time
came as surprise to official and political
Washington.
When MIR. Fisher takes his place in the
Tresdent's Official family there will be
three Chicago mon in the Cabinet Jacob
NJ Dickinson. Secretary OF War. and
franklin Macveagh. Secretary OF the
Treasury. were residents OF Chicago
when selected for Cabinet posts. MIR.
Fisher has been a leading lawyer in that
oity for many years. Although a Re-
publican in politics. Mr.. Fisher has on
occasionally steered an independent
course He has been identified with the
snti-Lorimer element in illinois and
only recently consented to direct the
inquiry about TO be undertaken into the
circumstances attending tho election
OF william Lorimer to the United States
Senate: Mr.. Fisher is one Of the vice.
presidents Of the National Conservation
association, OF which Clifford Pinchot
= the president and moving spirit.
The announcement OF Mr.. Balling gers
resignation came out in the form OF cor
respondence that had passed between
the President and the Secretary OF tho
Interior. Mr.. Taft's letter accepting
The resignation is one of the strongest
documents ever prepared at the White
House. At the conclusion OF tribute
10 Mr.. Ballingers service for the Ad-
mnistrstion. the President wrote:
i do not hesitate to say that you have
been the object OF one OF the most un-
-crupulous conspiracies for the defama-
ton Of character that history can show
RESIGNED FIRST ON JANUARY 10.
The Official correspondence shows that
Secretary Ballinger handed a letter OF
resignation to President Taft on January
10. The President refused to accept
II that time. suggesting that the matter
be put over in any event until Congress
mad adjourned. Mr.. Ballinger ascribsd
III health as his reason for desiring to
retire.
Yesterday Secretary Ballinger wrote
snother letter OF resignation to the Presi-
dent In conference that followed
Nr. Ballinger said that his continued
III health and the drain on his purse
through expenditures to defend his official
conduct made it imperative for him to
rave the public service. The President
tsve reluctant assent to the severance
Of Mr.. Ballinger's official relation with
the Administration. This is the letter
Of the President formally accepting the
resignation:
TaE WHITE HousE.
WAsHINGroN. March I, 1911.
DEAN Mr.. SfcREr,FY: ! accept your
t"'snaaon with great reluctance. have
h"i The fullest opportunity to know you
~ snow your standards OF service TO the
'oV~rnment and the public to know your
moi''~s. to know how You have admins
'''-d your ONCE and to know the motives
N hose who have assailed you.
do not hesitate to say that you have
zen the object Of one OF the most unscrupu-
',Ns conspiracies for the defamation OF
'h'iacter that history Can show. have
osemed 1t my duty not only TO the Govern
.l'L, ont to society in general TO night out
Nh, fatle TO the end. confident that in the
eHa vour fellow citizens would see that the
'rWessions OF you a. a man and as the
tomlns'rator OF a high public ofIlcs were
's'- ana we're the result OF n malicious and
nhpH'nclpied plan for the use OF the press
misrerfesen' you and your actions and
torture every circumtance. however
N"e from detrimental significance. into
f'ooI OF corrupt motive
WIN the hypocriticai pretence that
'eY id not accuse you OF corruption in
o'4eT TO avoid the necessity that even the
'.'N criminal is entitled to. tC wit. that
1'hniteiy formulated charge of some
Misconduct, they showered you with sus-
''h hnd by the most pettifoggng methods
''o'"i 10 the public matters which had
'' %" ran"v to an issue Of either corruption
"T "ncy IN Office. but which. paraded
.''"'e an hysterical body OF headline
."'9s -ercsd to blacken YOUR character
''l IF" OBSCURE the proper issue OF your
'hHS'r and Of effectiveness as a public
I" am
ne Jesuit has been cruel ira sedy.
' ana ours have los. health and have
ven 'rdenet financially. The con-
'.''''' also have not hesitated In their
~ 'ou 10 resort to the meanest Of
't'n'. Including ths corruption Of your
INCIDENTAL assistant They plume
es IKE the Pharisess Of old. as the
IRE members of society actuated
'-''r.' ~ self sacrifice for their fellow
-" NJ my nature rebels ara ins'