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HIS BEARING SINCE HE TOOK THE OATH of office has gratified the most conservative elements of his party who were in some fear. He has kept the McKinley Cabinet intact; although, as we have said above, changes are likely before the close of his term. A remark of his has been reported to the effect that “if a gun had been used and found good he would be foolish to throw it away. He might change the sights, but he would not abandon the old rifle.” For “rifle” read “the McKinley policy” and you have the parable. The remark is Rooseveltian. Perhaps he made it. But his commendable loyalty to his predecessor’s policy need not be taken as warrant for the belief that he will abandon his own principles or change his whole nature. He has friends and enemies; he has scores to settle and very few personal obligations to fulfil [sic]. It is a little early for the politicians who have been waging war on him for fifteen years to feel a sense of security.