The union Democrat., 1869-03-13
The New Cabinet


The President has appointed, and the Sen
ate confirmed the following Cabinet officers.
Elihu B. Washburn of Illinois as Secretary
of State Alexander I Stewart Of New York,
as Secretary Of the Treasury +; Adolph Eorie
of Pennsylvania. as Secretary of the Navy
Jacob u. Cox Of Ohio. as Secretary OF the In.
terror John A. J. Cseswell of MARYLAND, as
Postmaster General and f. r. IIoar of Mas
sachusetts as Attorney General. General
Scofeld remaining as Secretary of War.
+. B. Washburn the new Secretary Of State
has represented the third district of Illinois
in the lower house of Congress for several
years he has never been recognized as a
Statesman, or shown any peculiar qualifca-
tons which should call him to the head of the
$ State Department. He has apparently taken
hut little interest in foreign affairs while in
Congress. lie is evidently indebted to the
personal relations existing between him and
the President for this elevation. The people
nre disappointed, as at this time Statesman
and thorough Diplomat is needed for the best
interests of the country, at the helm of State
10 inspire confidence in the new administra-
tion.
Alexander T. Stewart Secretary of tie
Treasury has never filed a political office.
lie is celebrated as q Dry goods merchant,
has amassed n colossal fortune, and never
t,ok an active interest in national affairs n.
Ill he started out to make Grant President
Il widely known as a shrewd business man
Being rich and having aided the President:
election he has his reward by being made thu
great financial man of America. Being still
engaged in active trade, under the law 0
1889 organizing the Treasury Department
which forbids any one interested in trade from
holding any Office therein, it is found after hi'
confirmation that he is Ineligible and mus
either relnquish this honorable position ol
the drv goods trade. The President asked
Congress to remove Stewards disability, tn,
Senate refused. Not liking to give up the
distraction, Stewart has offered to make an
absolute transfer and disposition of all the
profits and interest, which may be derived
from his business while he remains in office
TO three trustees, who shall have absolute dis
possl of the revenues and profits for the use
vi public charities in the city Of New York.
1t is highly probable that he will accommo-
date himself to the law in some way to ena-
BILE him to hold this Cabinet position.
Adolph Borie Secretary Of the Navy, is
wholly unknown to the political world. lie
is represented to have been an Importing and
Shipping merchant of Philadelphia for many
years. to have acquired large fortune in
teemed for his purity and integrity of char
ncter.
jacob d. Cox Secretary of the interior,
WAS in the army during the war, was elected
Governor of Ohio in 1865, never distinguished
himself in any position.
John A. j. Creswell Postmaster General
was Congressman of the thirty eighth Con-
gress from Maryland, on the death of Gov.
Hicks who was then a IT, s. Senator he was ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy which expired two
years ago, he is young man possessed of
great loquacity. f. r. Hoar Attorney Cen
cral. is lawyer of Boston of whom but lit
tie is known.
IL cannot he known at this time if this new
Cabinet will be able to direct our national af-
fairs as they should be. is composed of un-
tried men, little if at all known to the country.
Its composition has surprised all persons, and
especially the politicians of the dominant
party. 1t is we'll for Grant that he did not
let their names be known before entering up
on his duties, if he had others beside Conness
would have moved heaven and earth for the
appointments to be changed. There is much
excitement at Washington in regard to this
Cabinet and we have rumors of the appoint
ment of Stewart being withdrawn. and Of
other changes being made, the politicians are
at work and they will test the Presidents firm.
hess before qaiet comes again. 1t was eA-
pected he would call men Of recognized abili-
", men who had experience in governmental
affairs u guide and council him, who it is
"oAu"wteuSeu is raw rScTOA III otdsesu'au-
ship. lfever any President needed an able
Cabinet it is Grant. 1t is possible that these
men may sail the ship of state as prosperous
ly and fortunate as older and more exper-
'sneed hands. For the country's sake we
hope they may.
{ Since the above was written we learn tha,
50 many difficulties being in the way Stewar,
mas whhdrawn. His successor has not vet
been named, several politicians are repre-
sented as being the coming man.
Michigan has refused 10 lass an eight