Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-10-18
SECRETARY OF WAR OF THE UNITED
SThTEC


We copied yesterday from the New York press
announcements of the appointment by the Pres
ident of john e. SPENCER, the Secretary Of State
of this Siae, to the Office of Secretary of War.
We have reason to believe that Mr.. Spencer has,
since our last publication, signifed his acceptance
OF the Office and that he will proceed forthwith
to w Washington, to the discharge Of the weigh,y
dutlesand responsibilities imposed on him by his
new station. His removal will leave u vacancy in
the office of Secretary Of State to he supplied by
the Governor until the neengof the Legislature,
when n successor will be appointed for three
years, by that body.
The vacancy, however, which the withdrawal
of this distinguished citizen will create in the
State at large, cannot easily be filled. His name
is identified with all that is brightest and most ex-
citing in the judicial, political and legislative his
tory of the State for the last twenty five years.
tie was, during his minority the private Secreia-
ny Of Gov. ToMPKINs, and at the early age of Is,
was distinguished for the vigorous productions OF
his pen. Previous to the War, we believe, he re-
moved TO the village of Canandaigtia in the coun-
~ of Ontario, of which he was appointed Post
master, and where he resided until his return to
this city.
He pursued the practice of law in that county
with eminent success, and soon rose to the high
est ranks in the profession. lie served as District
Attorney Ofthe county tor several years. He wns
elected to Congress in 1917, where he sgnaliz-
ed himself by his celebrated investigation and re-
| port upon the condition and conduct of the Uni
ted States Bank. John TYLER the President was
a member of this committee and Mr. SPENCER the
chairman. In 1920 he was elected TO the Assem-
bly, and chosen Speaker. lie here introduced
many sauary rules for the regulation of the bust
ness Of the House. In 1924 he was elected to
the Senate for four years, and before the expra
ton OF his term, was associated by Gov. Clinton
with Messrs Duer aud Butler in the Revision of
the Laws, work Of vast labor, the greatest part
OF which was dischni ged by hiul. lie was sub
sequently appointed by Gov. Pitcher special
Counsel TO conduct the prosecutions against the
abduction OF v am Morgan. I'm 1881 and 1888
he wns again member of the Assembly. Ia
1889 he was appointed by the Legislature to the
office Of Secretary of State, and Superintendent
of the Common Schools, when he removed TO
this city, where he has since resided. This is but
an imperfect recital OF the Offices held by Mr..
Spencer.
| Mr. .. possesses pre-eminent requisites for
public Office. His talents are of the highest Or
der his habits of industry and power Of applica-
ton to labor-to the higher labor Of conceiving
and planning, as well MS to the execution of the
mnnesl details, are, perhaps, unequaled. Upon
the integrity of his private character, suspicion has
never breahed. Mr. Spencer is also fortunate be-
yond most men in the secure enjoyment of the
unlimited confidence of the whole People of the
State, in his entire capacity 10 fill with honor and
high ability, any office under the Government.
| We speak with full knowledge of the public
sentiment in saying that there is station in the
Union exalted whether Executive or Depart
mental, 10 the dignI6ed and successful discharge
of whose Duties it would not, with unanimily,
pronounce him amply competent. We trust that
in losing him from our councils, he is only trans
erred TO IA scene of higher usefulness, where the
benefcent fruits of the eminent services he shall
render, will be reaped by the whole Republic. -
Albany Journal.