The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-02-16

interchange Of views, but added mo
one will expect me to acquiesce in any
proposal that I regard as Inadequate
or illusory." Should bill be pre-
sented to him which he could not ac-
cept as accomplishing the essential
thing sought, he said, 1t would be his
duty to veto 1t and so to the country
on the merits.
The views Of the president and Mr..
Garrison were reviewed In other let
ters, which eliminated in the offering
and acceptance Of the secretary's res
ignation.
Although Mr.. Garrison first sug-
gested that ho leave the cabinet last
month. Mr.. Wilson did not formally
accept his resignation until late this
afternoon when informed that Mr..
Garrison had left for New York and
that rumors Of his resignation were
current. The president then dictated
the letter of acceptance and dispatch-
ed 1t Immediately.
1t was not until o'clock tonight
that formal announcement Of the.
Garrison and Breckenridge resigna-
tions were made at the White House.
Expressions Of regret over the turn
OF affairs were general In administers.
ton circles. The president thinks
highly Of Mr.. Garrison's abilities and
Mr.. Garrison has been the warm
friend OF most OF the other cabinet
members. although he and Former
Secretary Bryan differed radically on
many subjects.
When the president went into the
Middle West recently to speak on ma
tional defense, 1t was understood that
he undertook the trip partially at the
suggestion Of Mr.. Garrison. During
the tour the president spoke at every
meeting in favor of the Garrison
army plan. but said that he was not
particular about details as long as a
reserve of approximately 5000
trained men was obtained. II was
said tonight that Mr.. Wilson's failure
to refuse any compromise on the SUBJ
ject in his speeches was the direct
cause Of Mr. Garrison's resignation.
Mr.. Garrison's last day as a mem
Der of tho cabinet passed almost with
out any outward evidence of the step
he was contemplating and his resig-
nation came as distinct surprise not
only to Washington generally but to
members of the cabinet.
Secretary Garrison has been a lead
ing figure in President Wilson's official
family ever since the administration
began. He began close study Of the
military situation nearly two years
ago. He has devoted days and nights
to the subject. Surrounded by his
bureau chiefs and officers on staff
duty, the secretary went into every
aspect of the case with all the con-
centration he developed as a lawyer
and a member Of the New Jersey
judiciary.
Out of that study came the plan
for the continental army and the
increases in the regular
army and proposal for coast defenses
and huge reserve of war material
which constitutes the administration
preparedness plans, so far as the
army Is concerned.
The only organized opposition to
Mr.. Garrison's proposals for the army
outside of congress has come from
Of tho National Guard.
Mr.. Garrison Is understood to have
been one Of those cabinet members
who have stood most firmly for decla-
rations Of the nations rights in the
deliberations which resulted from the
Lusltania incident and the Interrupt
tion of American commerce with neu-
tral nations of Europe.
Mr.. Garrison is the third member
Of President Wilson's cabinet to re-
sign. The first, Justice McReynolds,
resigned as attorney general to ac-
cept a seat in the supreme court. The
second, William ]. Bryan, resigned
as secretary Of State because Of diff
ferences with the president over the