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 Rh business ability adapted him admirably to securing this end, the effect being a very notable increase in American exports to Russia, for which he was given the credit both at home and abroad. During the Spanish-American war he was active in keeping the Russian court and the representatives of other governments at St. Petersburg acquainted with the issues and facts involved, his service in this direction being very useful in preventing misunderstandings. In December, 1898, President McKinley offered him by cable message the position of secretary of the interior in his cabinet, to take the place of Cornelius N. Bliss, resigned. The position was accepted, and is still held under President Roosevelt, the intricate interests controlled by that department being capably administered. In 1902 the University of Missouri conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Institution at Washington, and a member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati.