Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-24
NEt ETARY OF MAR.

IL seems that the message which was trans
mitted TO the Senate on Saturday by the Presi-
dent, but which was not delivered in conse-
quence of the early adjournment of that body,
was nomination of the Hon. Thomas Ewing,
ST., of Ohio, TO be Secretary of Wa.
Mr.. Ewing was born in Ohio county, Va.
December y, 17ss. HIS father, who had served
i'll the American army during the Revolution
and had become reduced in circumstances, re-
moved his family in 1872 TO the Muskngum
river, and thence 10 place on the frontier set
Element Of Ohio, now Athens county. Mr..
Ewing, when about twenty three years OF age
entered the Ohio University, having saved
money enough TO pay his tuiuon there. In
1916 he was admitted 70 the bur, and practiced
with success In she State courts and Supreme
Court of the United States. In March, 1881
he took his seat in the u. S. Senate as a mem
Der of the Wing party, and became associated
with Clay and Webster in resisting what wer-
de, med the encroachmsnts of the Executive.
O5dly enough he seems now TO be brought into
public 10 take All entirely different role. He
spoke against the nomination Of Mr. Van
Buren a. Minister TO the Court Of ST. James:
supported the protective tariff system OF Mr..
Clay; advocated a reduction OF the rates OF
postage, a rechartsr Of the u. :. Bank. In 1895
ne introduced a bill for the settlement of the
much vexed Ohio boundary question, which
was passed March IL and June IS, 1875. In
March 1881, Mr.. Ewings term expired and
be resumed the practice Of his profession
In 1ei0 he advocated the election OF
General Harrison TO the Presidency,
and when that gentleman came into Office ne
became Secretary Of the Treasury. which Office
he retained under President Tyler. Mr. Ew NJ,
with all the other members Of the Cabinet, ex.
cept Mr. Webster, resigned IN September, iSI1,
and published his letter of resignation explain
ing his course. On the accession of General
TAYLOR 10 the Presidency in lsi9 he took Office
as Secretary of the recently created De-
pariment Of the Interior. On the slavery
question he separated from his old asso-
cIates, Mr.. Clay and Others, who urged the
necessity of comprt hensive Legislation TO settle
the whole matter for once and forever, while
Mr.. Ewing agreed with the Pres ident III thin k
ing the action of Congress uncalled for. On
the death Of General Taylor and the accessisn
of Mr. Fillmore, July 9, 1855, this division of
in the Wing party was made the basis OF a
change In the Cabinet. Mr.. Corwin became
Secretary of the Treasury, and Mr.. Ewing was
appointed by the Governor of Ohio, to serve
during Corwin's unexpired term in the Senate.
In this body he was an active defender of Gem
eral Taylor administration. He did not vote
ior the fugitive slave law: helped TO defeat Mr..
Clays compromise bill, and advocated the abo-
iition OF slavery in the District of Columbia. In
ls6l he retired from public life, and has since
resided in Lancaster, Ohio, and engaged in the
practice of the law.
This appointment will come before the Sem
ate for confirmation. but. until confirmed, will
not affect the position of General Lorenzo
Thomas whose appointment is that OF Secre-
tary OF War al interim.