The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-23

! the woedman stroke.
| Who thinks not, az he fells the oaz,
What mischief dire he brews,
| How art may shape these falling trees,
| In AID OF luxury and esse--
| He weighs not matters such rs these,
| But sings, aud hacks, and hews.
AMERICANS.
| OurTOronto Correspondence.
TORONTO. October Ia, 1851.
| The Materials Of the Nec Ca6inet.
| Tho new cabinet has 80 far assumed shape and
consistency as to enable one to form a judgment of
what its general character, policy, and prospects
will be. 1t is not actually completed; but Of the
ten individuals who are to compose it, eight de-
6ntively settled upon 1t is, after all, something
more than . re-hash of the old ministry. The
eight names actually agreed upon, with tho posts
assigned to each, are:-
| Inspector Gen9al-Hon. F. Hincks.
Commissioner of Croirn Lands-Hon. ]. Morris.
| President of Cotlncil-Dr. Roph.
| Postmaster Gensral-Hon. M. Cameron.
| Attorney General Canada West)-W. B. Rich
| ards
Propincia! Se1any-Hon Mr.. NORM.
attorney Genera! Canada East)-Lewis Drum
mond.
Reeirr Gen1ai-Mr. Taohe.
The number of members of which the cabinet
is composed is always left to depend party ext
gencies When the last cabinet was Termed it con-
sisted of ten members, besides the two Solicitors
| nally members Of the government, but confined
strictly to their legal duties except that they must
be members Of Parliament. The new cabinet is
also to consist Of ten members, exclusive of Solicit
tors General. The two names not in the above
list are to be supplied by Lever Canadians, giving
each section of the province an equal representa-
ton in the ministry. The old cabinet, before its
expiration, had dwindled down to half dozen.
Resignation, took place, and if the ncies had
been filed the new incu ubents would have had to
face some constituency with pretty certain pros
poet of being defeated But as "new broom
sweeps Clean" SO new cabinet generally Gnds its
first drafts on public confidence duly honored, and
the whole council Of ten would have no difficulty in
finding constituencies to send them to Parliament.
But let US ana ize tho new cabinet, and see what
sort Of material it is made Of First there is Hincks
city Of finance minister, as scarcely to need any
description. The cases of the unpopularity at
tachipg to him described in previous letter. Of
the new ministry, he is certainly, at this moment,
the least popular with certain portion of the COM
m unity, though his bitterest enemies cannot deny
him the merit Of rare financial talents. For, years
credit low that his predecessor had not been able
| to borrow q single shilling in Engand-the provin-
cal exchequer empty, and clamorous creditors told
to call again He has restored the provincial
| credit-borrowed all the money we wanted, on
reasonable terms, in England; and at this moment
We have surplus revenue Of $i60,0oo lying idle
in the banks to the credit Of the govern
has not been effected without an increase Of
customs dutes which, after all, are by no
means oppressively high; and the change, SO
far from hav,Lg created public d s t
managemen that Mr.. Hicks has been abused,
but Tor little ,peddling affairs connected with
w ssA fuySs1 tSs
the great practical administrative abilities Of
the Inspector Geaeral required, il would be suli-
cent to point to the fact that he has actually per-
formed the duties Of several departments at once.
All the important business in the Public Works
department was directed by him, and the same is
true, to certain extent, of the Crown LANDS de-
partment. He is, however, by no means fault
less, and, of his failings, of the most conspcu.
GUS is an unhappy temper.
The new Commissioner of Crown Lands, who
the old postmaster general has s., sheT S,.
ness, and even genius to reform radios ally
defective system. lie will have no great diff
Guilty in conducting the department over which
he placed with far greater ability than was ever
exhibited by his predecessor. AS q politician, he
would probably never stand high; while, on the
other hand, his love of appreciation so great that
he would pause long before committing himself to q
policy likely to render him odious in public esti.
nation.
Drummond was an outside member Of the late
government; but it is evident enough that he never
heartily embraced those points Of policy by which
il forfeited its popularity. He is young, ambi-
tious man, and clever withal. His natural inclina-
tons progressive stopping this side Of republi.
csnism. For all purposes, including the popularity
of the new cabinet he is just rs good as II he had
had no connection with the late government.
OF tho late government, there is onlylsnother
. member in the new, and that is Mr.. Tache, a
Frerhman Of fair abilities and rather liberal prin-
ciples. There is indeed another member of the
new government, Mr.. Cameron, who was for some
time a member Of its pre edo sor. from which.
out in direct opposition to the policy in the session
of parliament before last. He possesses great force
and energy Of character, and very good fund Of
popularity. He isregsrded representative Of the
clear grit" or moro radical section Of his party by
whom bis selection n cabinet minister, In connec-
ton with DIR Roph, would be an indispensable condi-
ton Of their supporting the Ministry. Dr. RoiPh
, is with the single exception of Lord Elgin, the
! ablest man in the country. Notwithstanding this
he has taken no part in public affairs for the last
thirteen years, since he was member Of Sir Fran
els Bond Heads cabinet just before the rebellion,
, with which his precise connection has never been
| accurately known. But suspect II did not amount
to much. IL was, however sufficient to lead to his
has studied three professions; not skinned over the
.. surface Of them merely, bu. mastered the whole
of them thoroughly. He FIRST tried bis hand at
theology at Cambridge University, England, o.
then physic. For years he the sblest advocate
at the Bar Of Upper Canada; and now he presides
over medical college, Of which he is the founder
medical school, with its princely endowment and
the prestige Of large staff Of professors. In h'
. capacity Of President Of the Executive Council
. the conducting Of the correspondence with the I'm
perial government will fall TO his share. NJ Rich
ards, the Attorney General West, is a man of pas
sable but not brilliant Abilities nor per haps NOR,
than ordinary industry. OF personal and politca
! Influence he possibly possesses enough to secure
bis return to Parliament for his old constituency
Leeds, but rot more.
Take 1t all in all, the new cabinet possesses
fair share Of ability; and is probably as we'll calcu
,, lated TO obtain public confidence as any govern
ment that could be formed Lord Elgin is natu
rally DESTROYS to form strong government; for
failure at the general elections would assuredly b
! regarded, though think without Justice, as 20
rular condemnation Of his policy; and the preya
lence Of such notion might possibly lead to hi
recall
The cabinet has been formed on the combination