The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-13
President Wilson Cannot At
tend Cleveland Dedication.
Message Sent Conveying Ad-
miratiOn of Former Executive.
WILL BE READ AT MEETING
Legislative Policy of Nations
Chief Decided Upon.
McCOmbS Has Long Conference
at White House.


Wilson sent these nominations to the
senate today:
John Shelton Williams of Richmond,
Va, assistant secretary of the treas
ury.
Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York,
assistant secretary of the navy.
Beverly T. Galloway, assistant sec
retary of agriculture.
Edwin F. Sweet of Grand Rapids
Mich, assistant secretary of COM
merce.
James A. Edgerton of New Jersey,
purchasing agent of the postoffice de-
partment.
All were referred to committees.
Washington, March 13.-President
Wilson today declined an invitation to
be present on March IS, Grover Cleve-
lands birthday at the dedication of
the Cleveland birthplace in Caldwell,
n. J., a public memorial
The president wrote to John H Fin
ley, president of the College of the
City of New York. expressing his re-
gret and eulogizing the character of
Mr. Cleveland.
81 wish with all my heart that it
were possible consistently with the
performance of my duties here to be
present on the occasion of the dedica-
the public as a memorial, but mas
much as I am bound here by obIiga-
tions 1 cannot escape. 1 must content
myself with requesting that YOU will
read this message to those assembled
From the first have been deeply in
terested in the plan to acquire Mr.
Cleveland's birthplace for the public
and this conSummation of the plan
seems to me of great significance and
delightful omen. I think it must be
evident to everyone who has given at
tentiOn to the matter that the feeling
OF the country-the feeling alike of
admiration and affection-toward Mr..
Cleveland grows warmer and warmer
as the years pass by. Aswe see him in
just perspective, he looms up as one
of the most notable figures in our long
line of presidents. I send these lines
therefore. as a sincere tribute of re-
Spect and admiration
May not add also my hope that the
administration of the property may be
productive of pleasure and stimulation
to those engaged in it and a real profit
to the community at large"
Decides Legislative Policy.
President Wilson has decided upon a
policy of meeting legislative problems
as they arise rather than planning a
program for the extraordinary session
of congress. This, it was learned from
White House callers, will be the presi-
uGnl answer To IIOSe VINO are urging
that currency legislation, Philippine in
dependence, Alaskan questions and
other subjects, be taken up during the
session of the new congress.
Yesterday was day of many callers
for the president. Among these was
Uncle joe Cannon, former speaker of
the house. who said good bye to the
president before departing to his home
in Danville, Ill. With his cigar con-
spicuously displayed in a manner IA
miliar to official Washington, the for
mer speaker stood On the steps of the
executive offices. talking to the cor
respondents who had asked him the
purpose of his visit.
Il came to say good bye to the pres
ident and wish him WELL" he said.
Hes my president as we'll as any
body's else, you know
Does Not Want Post.
Chairman VIM. F. McCombs of the
Democratic national committee told
President Wilson today during an
early conference at the White House
that he preferred not to accept the
post of ambassador to France, that he
might remain in private life and prob
ably retain the Craftsmanship of the
national committee. President Wilson
urged Chairman McCombs not to def
nitely decline the offer until he had
considered it further and Mr.. Nc
Combs agreed to do so. Mr.. McCombs
told the president his preference had
been from the start not to accept pub
lie office The president, however, had
told him that he was earnestly de-
sirous of having him accept foreign
post. inasmuch as he had declined to
become a member of the cabinet. The
president asked Mr.. McCombs to hold
his mind open until at least April l.
Mr.. McCombs said later to inquir-
ers he was so strongly urged by the
president that he felt it his duty to
give the question more serious and
careful consideration.
Ability Is Required.
Mr.. McCombs declared the presi-
dent had determined to pick out dip
lomatic representatives solely on a |
basis of ability rather than wealth. It
is the presidents wish to have the
United States represented abroad by |
the most capable men, even though |
they may not be able to live up to the |
social precedents of their predecessors !
Mr.. McCombs said he thought even if |
he were to accept the post of ambas- |
sador to France, he might not resign |
as chairman of the Democratic ma |
tional committee and he did not think |
he would stay abroad for the full |
period of the administration Close
friends of McComb's, who talked with |
him after he left the White House, de-
cIared it was practically certain Mr.. |
McCombs would not accept a dipIo- |
matte post.
Intimations have been received in |
that Richard Olney might |
decline the post of amba ssador to |
Great Britain offered to him by Presi- |
dent Wilson. Friends with whom Mr. |
0Inev have been in communication |
thought today that the veteran diplo- |