Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-02-25
COLBY IS NAMED
As SUCCESSORT0 TO
ROBERT LANSING
Former New York Republican
and Later Progressive
Leader Under Roosevelt.
Selected for Post by Wilson

washington, Feb. 25.-Bainbridge
coIhy Of New York, who was one of
the leaders in the progressive party
under Theodore Roosevelt, will sue
ceed Robert Lansing as secretary of
state. Announcement of his selection
by President Wilson was made today
at the white house.
The selection Of Mr.. Colby came
as a surprise, most officials assum-
ing that Frank L. Polk, acting secre-
tary, would be the presidents choice.
The first inkling that the president
was to appoint some one outside Of
his official family came when Mr..
Colby visited the white house early
today in company with Raymond T.
Baker, director of the mint.
Was Lifelong Republican
Mr.. Colby was taken to see the
president on the south lawn AND a
few minutes later the formal an
nouncement of his selection was made
His nomination is expected to be
sent to the senate within a day or two
Mr. Colby was appointed mem
Der Of the shipping board and the
emergency fleet corporation in July
1917, and also was member of the
American mission to the inter-allied
shipping conference at Paris in the
same year. He retired from the ship
ping board more than year ago.
Mr.. Colby was a lifelong republi-
can until the famous Bull Moose bolt
al the Chicago convention in 1912.
He had been actively identified with
the candidacy of Theodore Roosevelt
for the republican nomination for
president that year and was in charge
Of contests to seat the Roosevelt dell
egates in the Chicago convention.
Boited With Roosevelt
When Colonel Roosevelt bolted the
convention Mr.. Colby helped to found
the progressive party and was del
egate to its Chicago convention in
1872. He continued an active leader
in the party and in 1914 md again
in 1916 he was progressive candi-
date for senator from New Yark
state,
When Colonel Roosevelt threw the
weight of his influence to Charles
Evans Hughes in the 1916 presiden-
tial race, Mr.. Colby identified him
self with the democratic party.
Mr. Colby was born at st, Louis,
81 years ago and was graduated from
Williams college, Massachusetts,. Hel
spent one year at the Columbia law
school and has practiced law in New
YORK since 1892 He was a member
OF the New York assembly in 1901
%.
Polk viii Retire.
After Mr. Colby has taken office,
MF Polk who has been secretary ad |
l'erim since the resignation of Mr..
Lansing nearly two weeks ago. is ex-
pec'eo TO carry out his intention Of
is'lrlng from the state department.
W. wv Folk has been in i'll health for
! uOre than year and his phys clans
nave advised a long rest.
should Mr. Polk retire two import |
m any posts in the state department
NOulo be left vacant, that on under
spV'e'ary to which Mr.. Polk was ad-
,,s. ,aasea some months ago, and Of as
's'ant hs'a secretary. The latter place was
ae" ae,u y William Philips, the newly
'pp0,'lted spp minister to the Netherlands
ana Luxembourg, -
,.l m leaving the White House. Mr..
49,. mad a long and unhurried CON
Dra.a, snes with the president which Inn
y Used ~ me with the great canfjdence
y. y mas reposed in me. / hone + shan
iVt iV,,.l prove Z inadequate to these great
.,.., ~. Colby said that pending cons,d-
IA az" ~ s oI his nomination by the sem
nent. Si'e 70 make state-
,osnsn, ,snce and Switzerland, the oldest