Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-03-08
President Taft Reluctantly Ac-
cepts Resignation of Cabinet
Officer in Whom He Ex-
presses Highest Confidence.
QUITS HIGH OFFICE
BROKEN FINANCIALLY
Retiring Official Expresses In
tention Of Prosecuting Those
Men Whose Charges Cost
Him His Position.

4 f'''i NV ' NOlAlN'it
iBy Morning Journal Special Leassd wirel
Washington, March THE resig-
nation of Richard A. Ballinger OF
Seattle, as secretary of the interior
was accepted today by President Taft
and Walter l.. Fisher of Chicago was
appointed as his successor.
1t appears in the correspondence
between the president. and Mr.. Ball
niger, which was given out by the
White House, that the secretary's res
ignation has been in the presidents
hands since January 10; that 1t was
held in suspense at the request Of Mr..
Taft, and that the latter accepted II al
the urgent request of Mr.. Ballinger.
In giving his consent to the secre-
tary's retirement, Mr.. Taft takes oc-
caslon TO declare with emphasis his
unchanging faith In the integrity, the
motives and the official standards OF
Mr.. Ballinger, and his unmeasured in
dignation at the methods of those who
assailed him, declaring that he has
| been "the subject OF one OF the most
unscrupulous conspiracies for the
defamation of character that history
can show"
The secretary later In written
statement, expressed the intention to
return to Seattle and after a rest re-
sumo the practice OF law. He says
his defense has cost him not less
! than $4,000, and that he Is now a
| poor man. AT the same time, he de-
clsres, il his purpose TO prosecute
following me with the assassn's
knife"
Walter Lowrie Fisher, Mr. Ball
inger's successor, who will assume
office within u few days, is republic
can. and 1t was said that Senator
Cullom, the senior senator from llll-
nois, was consulted in regard to his
appointment His appointment gives
two places In the cabinet TO Chicago
men; Secretary MacVeagh OF the
treasury also being a resident of that
city.
Mr. Fisher has been notably ac-
tive in the movement for conservation
of natural resources, and Is a vice
president of the National Conserya-
ton association, Of which Clifford
Plnehot Is president. Officers of that
association expressed themselves more
than pleased with the appointment.
This Is the statement which Mr..
Ballinger issued this afternoon.
81 shall Immediately return to Sc
attle and after securing the necessary
rest. will actively take up my pro-
fessional work.
"The president has so fully ex-
pressed his confidence In me in his
letter that have only to add that
go out of office feeling that no man
could have been more Loyalty support
ed than | have been by the president
at all times, and he has my lasting
affection end my support insofar as
my feeble efforts may be of value.
Il 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 bur
dens of the office as | was reluctant
to assume them.
The department In all Its bureaus
Is in a better state of effective or
ganIzation than ever In its history. in
which | take pride, and wish 10 ac-
cord to the chiefs and other officers
a fun measure Of JUST commentator
for their energy. loyalty and devotion
TO the public service, Their assist
ance and cooperation has been OF
great qualification to me.
'grhe great burden Of departmental
work, added TO the strain OF contend |
ing against assaults from wicked and
dishonest men. has seriously Injured !
my health and the cost of my de-
fense has not been less than $4,000 |
leaving me a poor man.
"It Is my purpose to prosecute the
arch h-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,
The retirement OF Mr.. Ballinger
md the appointment of his successor
bring TO a close the most sensational
thus far OF the Taft admin
indeed, one of the most
battles In recent political
history.
1t began with difference In con-
,eption of policy toward the treat
ment OF public lands, especially the
'orest preserves, between Mr.. Balllng-
ar and clifford Pinchot, then chief
forester OF the United states. whose
bureau was part OF the department
)f agriculture.
MIR. Pinchot's views had been more
N accord with those OF Mr.. Balllngor's
predecessor. James II. Garfield.
Open Warfare broke out when
relating to Mr.. Ballinger's ad-
OF the public lands, espe-
tally In Alaska and more peculiarly
o the treatment by the general land
,fflce OF the so-caled Cunningham
,laims" to coal lands In Alaska, we're
lied with the president by l., II. |,