Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-03-19
THE VEN. C.sBI.vBT.


tary of the Treasury, on account of legal
disability, and that of Mr.. Washburne as
Secretary of State, on account of i'll health,
necessitated n reconstruction of the Cabinet
as announced last week and accordingly
on Thursday, 18th inst, the following NOM
nations were made by the President and
confirmed by the Senate:
For Secretary Of State, Hamilton Fish, Of
New York.
For Secretary of the Treasury, George 8.
Boutwell,, of Massachusetts.
For Secretary of War, Gen. John A. Raw
lings, OF Illinois.
Mr.. Fish, who has been selected to nh the
vacancy occasioned by the resignation Of
Mr.. Washburne, is a native of New York
city, his family long having held position
of wealth and prominence. He was born
in 1900, and in his youth was surrounded
by all the advantages which wealth can
command. He was educated at Columbia
College, and having graduated, commenced
the study of law, and in 1880 was admitted
to practice in the Supreme Court of the
State. Though eminently fitted by educa-
ton and natural abilities for the successful
prosecution Of the legal profession, he was
restrained from accepting a large practice
by the cares which large Inheritance de-
volved upon him. Called upon to superin-
tend large fortune for the benefit Of him
self and others, he was withdrawn so much
from his chosen career that he was at length
forced to relinquish it altogether. In 1912
he was elected to Congress from the Sixth
District, his personal popularity contribut-
ing materially to the success of the ticket
AS member of Congress Mr.. Fish was not
distinguished in debate, but his integrity,
and his promptness and persistency in urg-
ing the adoption of measures for the benefit
OF his constituents, won for him universal
commentator. While in Washington he
was particularly noted for his hospitality,
and his private parlors were at all times
open and thronged with the foremost states
men Of the land. In 1s47 he was elected
Lieut. Governor Of New York, and at the
close Of his term was chosen Governor.
His administration was singularly free from
partisan quarrels, and was maintained with
firmness and dignity. He was subsequent
ly elected to the U. s. Senate, where he
served from 1851 to 1867 with marked abili-
ty. AT the expiration of his term Mr. Fish
retired to private life, and has mingled
comparatively little in political affairs since
that time.
Mr.. Boutwell,, who takes the Office first
assigned to Mr.. Stewart, ms Secretary of the
Treasury, was born in Brookline, Mass,
Jan. 2s, 1878. His early years were passed
on farm, and 1t was expected by his par
IA haf ha
farmer. Circumstances conspired, how
ever, to prevent this, and young Boutwell,
became merchants clerk in Groton. He
served thorough apprenticeship to COM
mercial pursuits, and for sometime was en-
gagged in business for himself During 20
years he was moderately successful, at the
end Of which time he gave up his business
and commenced the study Of law, and when
admitted to the bar found himself the jun
Tor practitioner there. Taking deep inter
est in political matters, he was elected to
the State Legislature in 1912, where he
served continuously for seven years. In
1851 he was elected Governor of the State,
and in 1858 was a member of the Massachu-
sets Constitutional Convention. For II
years he held the position of Secretary to
the State Board Of Education, and for near-
| ly the same length OF time was one of tho
overseers Of Harvard College. He was a
member OF the Peace Conference in 1861.
In July, 1862, he was appointed Commits
sioner Of Internal Revenue, and was charg-
ed with the organization Of that department.
In 1868 he was elected 10 Congress, and was
Immediately assigned to duty upon several
Of the most important committees in the
House, among them the judiciary. He has
been reelected successfully to each Con-
gress convened since that time, and is gen.
orally recognized as one Of the ablest men
in the House-a fluent impressive debater
and a conscientious worker. His studious
habits throughout his long public career
enabled him to overcome tho lack OF early
education. He possesses thoroughly dis
ciplined mind, and memory that treasures
up facts and data, and to an extent that has
rendered him one Of the most formidable
eppopepis On the door OF the House.