The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-03-09
BALL|NC[R TENDERS
HIS RESIGNATION

The resignation of Richard A. Bal
finger, of Seattle, as secretary of the
interior was accepted Tuesday by
President Taft, and Walter L. Fisher,
of Chicago, was appointed as his sue
cessor.
1t appears in the correspondence be-
tween the president and Mr. Ballinger
which was given out by the White
house, that the secretary's resignation
had been in the president hands
since January 10, that it was held in
suspense at the request of Mr.. Taft
and that the latter accepted it 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 emphasis his un-
changing faith in the integrity, the
motives and the official standards of
Mr.. Ballinger, and his unmeasured
indignation at the methods of those
who assailed him, declaring that he
has been The - Subject of one of the
most INSCRIPTIONS conspiracies for the
defamation of character that history
can show
The secretary later, in a written
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 poor man.
At the same time he declared it his
purpose "to prosecute the arch-con-
spirators, who have been following me
with the assassin's knife.
Walter Lowrie Fisher, Mr.. Balling-
er IS successor, who will assume Office
within a few days, is a Republican,
and it was said that Senator Cullom,
the senior senator from Illinois, was
consulted in regard to his appoint
ment His appointment gives two
places in the cabinet to Chicago men,
Secretary MacVeagh of the treasury
also being 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 rinchot is
president Officers of that association
express themselves as more than pleas
ed with the appointment.
Ballinger's Statement.
This is the statement which Mr.. Bal
linger issued:
81 shall Immediately return to Sc
attic. and after securing the neces-
sarv rest will actively take up my pro-
fessional work.
"'The president has so fully express
ed his confidence in me in his letter
that | go out of Office feeling that no
man could have been more Loyalty sup
ported than | 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 bur
dens of the effice as | was reluctant TO
assume them
"'The department in all its bureaus
is in better state of effective organl-
zation than ever in its history, in
which | take pride, and l wish to ac-
cord to the chiefs and other officers
full measure of just commentator for
their energy, loyalty and devotion to
the public service. Their assistance
and cooperation has been of great
qualification to me.
s'The 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 defense
has not been less than $25,000--leav-
ing me poor man.
S'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-