The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1915-06-10
Late to Cabinet Meeting

final reading of the note. Bryan was
absent. He declined to receive news.
paper men or callers, and sent out
word that he had been delayed an &C
count of important business. At the
White House no word as to the rea'
sons for his failure to appear at the
meeting were given, but after the cab
met had been discussing the note for
an hour, Bryan arrived, telling the
newspaper men at the White House
he regretted being late.
1t was learned tonight that with the
knowledge that his resignation had al.
ready been accepted by the president,
Bryan felt it would be indicate to at.
tend today's session, unless his pres.
ence was desired by the president.
When President Wilson telephoned
an invitation, the secretary hurried to
the White House, his face somewhat
drawn and pale. When the cabinet
adjourned, shortly after / o'clock,
Bryan entertain seven of his COL
leagues, all who could attend, at a
luncheon at the University club. The
luncheon was in the nature of a fare.
we'll.
The official relations of Bryan with
the president and the other cabinet
officers have been somewhat strained,
although the closest personal friend
ship has been maintained. The off,
Gals of the administration were unani-
nous tonight in their expressions OF
personal regret. Secretary Tumulty
issued a statement to that effect, and
the president reflected the same senti-
ment in his letter. Admiration and
praise for the courageous manner in
which Bryan had fought for and held
to his convictions were expressed by
officials on every side, including those
who had been most vigorous in their
opposition to his policies. The strong
personal attachment OF the president
and Bryan has long been noticeable in
their everyday conferences. Even to-
day, as they met in the cabinet room
their greeting was of affection and re-
gard.
Twice Offered to Resign.
It became known only tonight that
twice before in the two years and
three months of his term Bryan offer
ed to resign so as to save the presi-
dent from embarrassment, and each
time the president refused to accept
his resignation. Throughout the con-
slant newspaper bombardment of
Bryan for his views on peace, his ad-
vocacy of prohibition, his speeches on
the chautauQua platform, the president
has stood by the secretary, resenting
criticism of him.
In domestic affairs the two men
who were at the helm of the democra-
tic party in its first ascendency into
power in 16 years co-operated most
tremendously. Often Bryan yielded
some of his own views, as OIL the cur
rency bill, and used his influence to
assist the presidents program in con-
gress. 1t was not surprising, there
fore, to officials and friends of the
president and of Bryan TO learn to-
night that the latter continued un-
daunted in his support of the presi
dent politically, although he could not
remain in the cabinet and give his
official help on a matter of principle
which affected his entire philosophy Of
life.
The Letter Of Resignation
my dear Mr.. President:
1T is with sincere regret l have
reached the conclusion I should re-
turn to you the commission of secre-
tary of state with which you honored
me at the beginning of your admins
tration.
"Obedient to your sense of duty,
and actuated by the highest motives,
you have prepared for transmission
to Germany a note in which l cannot
join without violating what l deem to
be my obligation to my country, but
the issue involved is Of such moment
that to remain member of the cabi-
net would be unfair to you as it would
be to the cause which is nearest to my
heart namely, the prevention of war.
Il therefore respectfully tender my
resignation effective when the note is