The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-25
Leader Of Progressive Party
Under Roosevelt Appointed
by President Wilson.
SELECTION A COMPROMISE
Bainbridge Colby Gratified at
Confidence in Him Displayed
by Executive. \

Washington, Feb. 25.--Bain.
bridge Colby, of New York, who
was one Of the leaders In the
progressive party under Thec-
dore Roosevelt, will succeed Rob-
ert Lansinr as secretary of state.
announcement of his selection
by President Wilson was made
today at the White House.
Colby is from New York and he
has been prominently identified with
state and national politics. He was a
leader In the progressive party under
the leadership of Col. Roosevelt.
Colby has been a director of the
Emergeny Fleet corporation. He is
lawyer by profession.
Colby has accepted the post and
his name Will be submitted to the
senate today.
Selection Surprises.
The selection of Mr. Colby came
as surprise, most officials assum-
ing that Frank l.. Polk, acting sec
retary, 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 7. Baker, director of the
mint.
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 sentae within a day
or two.
This is not the first office Mr..
Colby has held under the presidents
administration. He was appointed
member of the shipping board and
he Emergency Fleet corporation in
July, 1917, and also was a member
of the American mission to the in
terallied shipping conference at
Paris in the same year. He retired
from the shipping board more than
Il year ago.
The appointment OF Colby to the
highest position in President Will
sons cabinet was complete sur
prise to official Washington. 1t had
been confidently expected that either
.Ncting Secretary Of State Polk or
Secretary of War Baker would get
the portfolio.
Nature of Compromise.
Colby's appointment is understood
to be in the nature of a compromise.
The president has been besieged by
supporters OF both Polk and Baker.
and it is UNDERSTOOD that he selected
D man outside of the preseat cabinet
IN order that he might not create any
conflict in his own circles.
Neither Polk nor Baker have
sought the office, but their friends
have been strong in urging their ap-
pointment. There were supporters for
both who were very close to the
president and had he chosen between
Polk and Baker he would have at
least injured some feelings. 3
Friend of Mark Twain.
The new secretary of state was a
personal friend of the late Samuel
Clemens mark Twain) and repre-
!. sented the author in settling up the
affairs of the latter's publishing
house. He was counsel of interests
which brought about the reforms in
the Equitable Life Insurance COM
pany, and in other famous legal
cases.
~ In 1912 he took the lead in the fight
( 10 seat Roosevelt delegates in the re-
publican national convention at Chi
cago and later became active in the
X organization of the progressive party,
S becoming candidate for the gov
ornorship of New York on that ticket.
K In 1914 he was progressive candidate
Il for senator, but failed of election. He
"a was appointed on the New York
< committee of national defense by
q Gov. Whitman and was prominent in
other war work.
Colby was born at ST Louis Dec.
%. 1869, and is now in his fifty-firs
\ year. His father was John Peck
& Colby, his name of Bainbridge being
4 his mothers maiden name. He at
tended Williams college, Massa chu-
setts, taking his A. B. degree there
in 1890, after which he studied law
al Columbia university and the New
York Law school. taking a degree of
+ LIB. from the last-named institu-
tion.
Gratified at Confidence.
The appointment of Colby followed
a long conversation between the
president and the nominee, Il had
. long conversation with the president
and am deeply gratified at the con-
fidence he has displayed in me and
i / hope | shall not prove made
quate," said Colby.
Colby sthted that he did not care
TO discuss policies at the present
time, but preferred to wait until his
-snomination had been acted upon by
& the senate.
After Mr.. Colby has taken Office.
3 Mr.. Polk. who has been secretary ad
interim since the resignation of Mr..
Lansing nearly two weeks ago, is
expected to cary out his intention of
-stetiring from the state department.
Mr.. Polk's health has not been at
all good for more than year and his
physicians have advised him to take
a long rest.
Should Mr.. Polk retire two impor-
tant posts in the state department
would be left vacant. that of UNDER
secretary. TO which Mr.. Polk was ad-
vanced some months ago, and of as
sistant secretary. The latter place
was held by william Phillips, the
newly-appointed minister to The
Netherlands and Luxembourg.
In 1895 he married Miss Nathalie
Sedgwick OF Stockhridge. Mass. He Is
member Of a number of clubs, the
American and New York Bar asso-
Citations and the Authors League OF
America.
Polk Did Not Want Post.
II was definitely known that Mr..
Polk did not want the portfolio and
10 was stated had gone so Tar as to
recommend another very strongly for
the post. He has been longing for some
time to get out OF political life as soon
as possible to resume the practice OF
law IN New York. The nomination OF