The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-10-13
TAFT's CABINET.

! The newspapers OF the country are
making a great deal Of comment up.
on prospective changes in the Taft
cabinet. The following from The New
York Journal Of Commerce is typical:
President Taft on his return from
his western tour will find himself con-
fronted by singularly difficult situa-
ton in washington. Since he left
Beverly, Attorney General Wicker
sham has declined rapidly in general
opinion Secretary Wilson has al
ready been sent to coventry by all
straightforward observers Of political
conditions. but his recent efforts to
save himself by making misleading
changes IN the department have con-
signed him to an even deeper disfav-
or than before. Postmaster General
Hitchcock has been a heavy load for
a long while and has grown more
troublesome as time has gone on. The
state department il again the cause Of
complaint and criticism, this time
largely on account of the acts of sub
ordinates. What can the president do
to restore order and seemliness in his
administration for the last year of his
term7
There are many In President Taft's
inner circle who believe that he will
do nothing whatever to rectify the
conditions complained of. Constitu-
tionally averse to friction and persist
emily loyal to those in his immediate
lentourage, the presidents inclination
ig always against any far-reaching
Echange in the administration Mem
sbers OF the official family say that he
has determined against any changes
during the remainder of his period Of
Office Hostile critics express the be-
lief that the executive will not think
it worth while to take the trouble to
make Innovations inasmuch as he is
already condemned to defeat year
hence. IL that conviction has been
borne in upon him. they say, why
should he vex himself now with al
aerations In an organization that cam
not last long in any case? Neither Of
these points Of view, we believe, does
the president justice. 1t is not fair to
him to assume In advance that he is
guided solely by political motives In
all he does or that he is too easy going
to take necessary steps should they be
organization at Washington is a pub
lie duty even il the administration
were to terminate In much less than a
year. The department of agriculture
is absolutely at odds with itself and
the country, confidence in the attor-
ney general has been lost to a very
great extent. and the same is true OF
the other departments mentioned
though perhaps In lesser measure.
1t is impossible TO escape the convic-
tfon that either an absolute change
should be made In the headship OF
these important branches of the gov
eminent, or that radically new pol
icy should be introduced in them by
the direct order OF the president for
the purpose Of quoting public alarm
and restoring confidence. II the pol
icies which have excited popular rep
rotation can be altered without
changing the personnel Of the cabinei
that may suffice, but II such reor-
gantzation is out of the question witt
the present headship. cabinet changes
should be made without hesitation
It was often complained OF President
Roosevelt that he made too many and
too frequent alterations among his nd
visers. Those who have followed the
history Of the Taft administration viii
be Inclined to look with greater lem
sencv upon its predecessors frequent
changes Ia the cabinet. He often
brought about the resignation OF good
men without due cause. President
Ta1t has sannedSpn the other side and
haA retained week, inefficient and