The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-17
mn BUcHArANis CABINET.


As there VIII, no doubt, be considerable
curiosity to know something of the previous
history of the members of this Cabinet, we
subi0in the following brief sketch:
SECRETARY OF sTATE--GEN. LEWIS CASS,
OF MICHIGAN.
General Cass was born at Exeter, New
Hampshire. He was educated at the Acad-
envy of Exeter, and studied law at Marietta,
admitted to the bar in 1902, and in 1866,
more than fifty years ago. was elected a
member of the Ohio Legislature. In 1881
Gen. Cass was called to the administration
of the War Department by Gen. Jackson.
In 1885 or 1886, in consequence of i'll
health, he retired from this position, much
to the regret of Gen. jackson, who tender
ed him the mission to France, where he ad-
ded to his fame in defeating the quintuple
treaty, through which England desired to
search the vessels of all nations. traversing
the ocean. In 1S45, after his return from
France, he was elected to the United States
Senate from Michigan, and in lS4S nomi-
mated for the presidency, but defeated. He
was one of the leading friends of the COM
promise of 1850, and subsequently ably
supported the Kansas Nebraska measure.
On the 4th inst, his term expired in the Z.
S. Senate, and he was succeeded by a re-
publican. Although seventy years of age.
Gen. Cass is apparently younger than most
men at sixty, and there is no doubt, from
his intellectual and bodily vigor, that his
administration of the State Department will
fully sustain his high previous reputation.
SECRETARY OF PRESUMPTION. HOWELL
COBB, OF GEORGIA.
The Secretary of the Treasury was born
at Cherry Hill, G eorgia, in 1915. He is the
son of Col. John A. Cobb, who, when quite
q boy, removed from Greenvile, n. Caro-
lima, with his father. His mother, Sarah
r. Cobb, was the daughter of the late Tho.
Roots, of Fredericksburg. Virginia. In
the year 1884, when only nineteen. Mr.
Cobb graduated at Franklin College, Geor-
gia, and in the following year he married
Mary Ann, daughter of the late Col. Zacha-
riah Lamar, of Milledgeville, Georgia, by
whom he has had six sons, three of whom
are dead, the two youngest dying at Wash
ington city during the first session of the
thirtieth Congress. In 1886 Mr. Cobb was
admitted to the bar, and at once gave such
evidence of talents, character and attain
ments-rarely possessed by one ofhis age
that in the ensuing year he was elected by
the Georgia Legislature solicitor general of
the western circuit. Having early in life
obtained political fame as jackson Union
democrat, in 1912 Mr. Cobb was elected on
general ticket to the Congress of the U.
States, it being his first service in any
Legislative body. Since that time he has
been frequently reelected. He has served
for one term as Governor of his native
State, and as Speaker of the U. S. House
e IA 1uD---t"ti'Ue, ouu III every position
has been noted for his industry and ability.
SECRETARY OF wAR-HoN. JNO. BUCHANAN
FLOYD, OF VIRGINIA.
The Secretary of War has long been
prominet politician in the western part of
Virginia, and is a State rights democrat of
the school of strict construction. He has
filled the Office of Governor of the State,
and during the last election was a demo-
cratic presidential elector. Governor
Floyd's public service has been exclusively
confined to the State, and his appointment
to the Cabinet is his first introduction to
the Cabinet councils. During every presi-
Dental campaign since 1886 Mr. Floyd has
been an active supporter of the democratic
candidates. He is fluent speaker on the
stump, possesses considerable talent and
versatility, and from his experience in vari-
Gus public Offices will no doubt be found
fully competent for the duties of his new
position. Gov. Floyd is between As and 50
years of age, is in the undimnished enjoy
ment of physical health, and an ardent ad-
mirer of the ladies.
SECRETARY OF THE NAvY-IsAAC TOUCY,
OF CONNECTICUT.
The new Secretary of the Navy is we'll
known rs the late United States Senator,
from Connecticut, and as a sound, national
man. He was for short period Attorney
General of the U. States under President
Polk, having succeeded Mr. Clifford, when
he was sent as commissioner to Mexico
Personally, he is exceedingly popular and
accomplished. He is over so years of age.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERPOLATION. JACOB
THOMPSON, OF MISSISSIPPI.
The Secretary of the Interior has been a
member ofthe House ofRepresentativesf from
Mississippi during several Congresses. He
is an able speaker on the floor, and quite
an Industrious member in reference to every
measure of practical Importance before the
House. He is free trader, a States rights
Southern democrat, but by no means a Sc
cessionist. He is man of some eloquence,
good practical abilities. and is between 40
and IS years of age.
POSTMASTER GENERALIZATION V. BROWN,
OF TENNESSEE.