Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1909 — PEOPLE OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PEOPLE OF THE DAY

A Cabinet Possibility. Although the makeup of President Taft’s cabinet will not be definitely known until a few days before his Inauguration, the tentative slates all contain the name of Richard Achilles Ballinger of Seattle for the Interior portfolio. Mr. Ballinger Is well known at the capita), having served as commissioner of the general land office. He was appointed early In 1907 at the request of Secretary of the Interior Garfield and resigned a year later because of press of personal affairs. The secretary and Mr. Ballinger were classmates at Williams college, and when Garfield was named secretary of the interior be expressed a desire that Ballinger should be appointed commissioner of the general land office. When the position was tendered him Mr. Ballinger declined on account

of his business Interests, but under pressure at last consented. It was of Mr. Ballinger that the president said he had secured a $20,000 man for a $5,000 salary’. During his year of service he reorganized the land office from top to bottom and placed it on an efficient working basis. Richard A. Ballinger is a native of Illinois, a lawyer and is fifty-one years old- Since making his home in the state of Washington he has served as judge of the superior court of the state and also one term as mayor of Seattle. Kipling and the Bus Owner. Annoyed by the injury done to one of his trees by the driver of the local bus, Mr. Kipling once wrote a vigorous letter of complaint to the bus owner, who is also a landlord of an Inn. The landlord laid the letter before the select company of the bar parlor, who advised calm Indifference; also a Croesus among them offered 10 shillings In cash for the autograph letter. Both advice and cash were accepted. A second and stronger letter followed, and this also found a purchaser this time at £l, as befitted its increased violence. Boniface again said nothing. To him next day entered Mr. Kipling, briskly wrathful. “Why didn’t I answer your letters, sir? Why. I was hoping you’d send me a fresh one every day. They pay a deal better than bus driving!”—Boston Times. Secretary Bacon’s Aid. John Callan O’Laughlin, appointed assistant secretary of state to succeed Robert Bacon, now chief of the department, has been engaged in newspaper work, chiefly in Washington, for more than fifteen years. He has devoted much of his time to diplomatic affairs and is considered well equipped for the position. ’ The new assistant secretary of state is about thirty-five years of age and has resided for short periods in Paris, London, Berlin and St Petersburg.

He also has made special investigations in Venezuela and Santo Domingo and was secretary to the United States commission to the Tokyo international exposition. During the Rus-so-Japanese war he served as a correspondent from the front, being with the czar’s forces for some time and in St. Petersburg. He also reported the Portsmouth peace conference. .By reason of his criticisms Mr. O’Laughlin is said to have aroused the ire of several Influential senators, and about a year ago an entire session of the, senate was taken up by a discussion of one of his articles. Mr. O’Laughlin has received decorations from the emperors of Japan and Russia, the king of Italy and President Castro of Venezuela.

BICHARD A. BALLINGER.

JOHN CALLAN O'LAUGHLIN.