The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-13
Dickinson Leaves Presidents Cabinet
to Manage Pressing Private
Affairs.
HENRY l. sTIMson STEPS
IN AS NEW MEMBER
Late Republican Candida for N. Y.
oovernor-ls Effort to Harmon
lze Party.

WASHINGTON. Lay 12.-Secretary
OF War jacob McGavock Dickinson, OF
Tennessee. the Democratic member OF
President Taft's cabinet. has resign
ed. Henry L. Suinson, OF New York,
recently defeated Republican candi-
date for governor OF that state, has
been given the war portfolio This
announcement was made at the
White House tonight and occasioned
great surprise.
In the letters exchanged between
the President and Mr.. Dickinson, no
reason other than that OF pressing
private affairs, is given for the secre-
tary's 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 capital on Monday. Mr.. DIckin-
son will go to his Tennessee home
Immediately upon the qualification OF
his successor.
Stralshten Out New York.
Coincident with the announcement
OF Mr.. Dickinson's retirement came
the announcement OF the appointment
OF G. G. Miniken, OF Herkimer. y. Y.
to be assistant treasurer OF the United
States at New York Mr.. Stimson
was the candidate for governor OF
New York. Mr.. Milliken is a close
friend OF Vice President Sherman and
other members OF the old guard in
the state, having succeeded Mr.. Sher-
man in the house when the latter be-
came vice president. In the two ap-
pointments official Washington found
food for speculation and many poll
ticians thought they saw therein the
first step OF the administration TO
straighten out the tangled skein OF
New York politics.
No effort was made by the Presi-
dent to conceal the satisfaction with
which he viewed the appointment OF
Mr.. Stimson.
Peace With Two Factions.
The position OF assistant treasurer
at New York which has been given
TO the Sherman-Barnes-W Woodruff fac
tion, while not so important as that
given to the Roosevelt Parsons fac
ton. is believed here to be a move
in the direction OF peace that will
count for much in the future.
Unofficial Washington tonight dis
cussed with relish the resignation OF
the secretary OF war. UnofficiaIy
also. there were others who found
those given in his letter Mr. Dick
inson is a Democrat. HIS presence in
the cabinet OF a Republican President
has not been looked upon by some OF
Mr.. Tafts political advisors who are
Of the opinioh That the Office should
be held by some OF the President g
own party and who also pointed out
that Mr.. Dickinson might prove a
source OF embarrassment when the
1912 presidential campaign begins
Naturally. Mr.. Dickinson also found
the discussion I'm the cabinet OF party
measures often a personal embarrass
ment.
Mexican War Friction.
There were others who thought that
Mr. Dickinson had incurred some
criticisms by his conduct OF the wal
office. As was pointed out recently
there have been reports OF friction
over the Mexican situation between
the state department and the war de
partment. In some quarters 10 was
asserted that Secretary OF State Kno1
was beins overshadowed BY Mr Dick
inson and there were reports that the
former contemplated resigning. but
these met with official denials. There
had been no hint that Mr. Dickinson
contemplated retirement
The President moved swiftly wher
be found he had 20 select a new sec
retary OF war. On Wednesday might
Secretary Hilles was dispatched q
New York post haste He met Mr.
Stimson the next day but the lattcl
wished 20 consult with his father who
WAS then on the Atlantic. bound fOi
Europe. Mr.. Hilles came back "a
Washington and Mr. StimsOn resort
ed fo the wireless His father
answer advising him TO accept came
to-day. and late this afternoon D.,
called up the White House on the Ions
distance phone. and said he would b'
glad 90 become Mr Taffs second
secretary of war The deal wa.
ciosed right then and the Prcsideu
gave "a FIEh OF genuine relief The
appointment will give Ncw York tw,
member OF the cabinet. Affornel
General Wlcker4ham being a residor
Of that state
Mr stimso has bad mo- spccia
mnitnry tr1I1ing buf ln talking to hh
friends tonight tho President cl
pressci the belief that he vas thi
sort O. mon who could come into thI
war department and easily and quick
~ get The swing of affairs The cor