The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-16
Olney Is Written in History AS
One of Great Secretaries
of State
SPEAKER BYRD NOT
OPPOSING DR.. PAGE
Calls Upon President and Ex-
plains He Has No Objec-
ton to Naming
of Author

WASHINGTON, March l5.--Rich-
ard olney, of Boston, to whom Presi-
dent Wilson offered the post of am
bassador to Great Britain, has de-
clined. His letter OF refusal was re-
ceived at the White House today.
Mr.. Olney's letter was said to be Of
confidential nature, and, therefore,
was not made public. Secretary Tum-
ulty. however, announced that Mr..
OIney had declined 'for family rea-
sons"
1t is understood that Mrs. Oiney
has been in poor health. and that Mr..
Olney was loath to change his resi-
dence at his advanced age. His many
business connections through his law
practice also are said to have infiu-
enced him TO remain in this country.
Speculation as to who might be
chosen am bassador to Great Britain
began Immediately on the announce
ment OF Mr.. 0lney's declnatlon. 1t
was pointed out that. besides MIR. Oh
ney, President Wilson had had in
mind Charles w Eliot. president
emeritus OF Harvard. but had offered
Mr.. Olney the place because of his
conspicuous record in the Democratic
: party. 1t is not know that DR.. Elliot
would accept the post. as ii has al
ways been understood that he declined
n diplomatic offer from President
/ Taft
/ Was Great Secretary.
This development has again upset
all speculation as 10 the next am
/ basaadar to Great Britain. hut IL was
/ learned today that President Wilson
/ Is seriously considering Charles W.
/ Eliot, former president of Harvard.
/ Friends of Mr.. 0lney, when the
n ~ r. yezf
Sunday, expressed considerable doubt
as to his acceptance because Of tins
poor health Of Mrs, Olner. Mr.. 0lnes
is seventy eight years old, and his
wife is seventy.
/ Pleasant as the Enthusiastically
might have appeared In prospect tc
/ Mr. 0lney. it is not believed ne was
/ ambitious for further political hon
/ ors. He is written down in the his
tory OF the department Of state as
| one of it's great secretaries, and ali
/ friends declare he will be content tc
spend the rest of his life quietly ir
his Back Bay home.
Others Mentioned.
/ DR.. Thomas Nelson Page and eX-
Governor Joseph L. Willard, Of Mir
giuia: Ex-Governor Francis. of Mis-
souri,. Judge George Gray, who wa
appointed 10 The Hague tribunal b.
{ ffeSiuent lArt early IN MafCn, nave
all been mentioned. for the st. James
post.
DIR. Pages chances were thought tc
have been pre1udiced by a factiona
row in Virginia. He was recommend
ed by Senator Martin, and the organi
cation Democrats Of The State WHILE
Governor Willard was urged by
Speaker Byrd. of the house Of dele
gates. who managed Wilson's pre-
convention fight In Virginia. and who
was considered TO speak for the pro
gressive Democrats of his State.
Speaker Byrd Calls.
The cloud was removed from tbs
Virginia noveiists prospects today
however when Speaker Byrd called
on the president not to renew his
recommendation OF Ex-Governor Wi
lard, but to announced that he va.
mot opposing the appointment of Dr
Page, should this appointment NEE
the executives approval
It is believed the president vii
consider the matter for some time he.
fore he announces he has offered tht
Enthusiastically 10 another man.