The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-12
FIRST EDITION
THE CABINET
The New NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of
Secretaries Fish, Bout
we'll, and Rawiins.
Eecretary Boutwell's Record
and Speeches Tn the
Financial Question.
FBE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TBE STATE DEpAHEMENEa IA
JRssmiltOn Fish, the Secretary of State,
As a son Of the late Colonel Nicholas Fish, and
YVES born in New York city during the year
1909, and is now about sixty years OF age. From
abe MATERIAL eide be IS descended from Peter
Stuyyesaut, the last Dutch Governor OF New
Amsterdam. 1t will thus be seen that Mr.. Fish
descends from distinguished family and comes
OF the good old Knickerbocker stock. dis
education was obtained at Columbia College,
where he graduated with distinction. After
leaving college he studied law, and IN 1850 was
admitted 10 the bar, bat did not practise his
profession tor any length OF time, the manage-
ment of very large family estate monopolZ'ng
the greater part OF his time ana attention.
Being q man OF wealth, he had no occasion to
work for livelihood, so, after brief period,
he aban 1oned the law altogether, ana mas never
since resumed 1t.
In 1887 the new Secretary first appeared as a
politician, being then elected by the Wing party
as member OF the State Legislature, and as
such gained much reputation and popularity
among his constituency, to whom he had been
previously known only as rich, respectable
man. His success as a local legislator intu-
enced the Wings OF New York TO nominate him In
lS42 for Representative in Congress from the
Sixth district, which was then composed of the
Eleventh, Twelfth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, aud
Seventeenth wards OF New York. Although the
district had given Van Buren, majotity of
nearly 1000 in 1910, MIR. Fish, after an exciting
contest, was elected, the vote stauding-Flsh
(Whig), 1904; Mexican (Democratl, $685. In
gress, his CLAIMS to a reelection we're ignored,
and Mr.. William w. Campbell, tue native
American or Know Nothing candidate. received
the Whig vote, excepting some 1856, which
were cast for Mr.. Fish, who ran as an inde-
pendent candidate. His political career had
not ended, however. In 1916 he was nominated
Tor the Office OF Lieutenant-Goyernor, but was
defeated running heavily behind his ticket,
although Mr. Young, the Whtg nominee for
Governor, was elected by majority OF II, ,572.
In 1S47, however, he had better luck, being
elected Lieutenant Governor by 80, 600 majority.
In 184s he was the nominee of the Whig party
for Governor, and the same split in the Demo-
cratic party which gave the electoral vote of
the State to President Taylor elected him. In
1851 he was elected Senator in Congress,
SERVING until 1857, when his term expired. Since
then he has held no office, having, In fact, re-
tired from political life about time.
Soon after the formation OF the Republican
party Mr.. Fisk allied himself to 1t as voter,
and throughout the Rebellion aided the Gov
erpment In private capacity IN asserting the
integrity of the Union. He gave largely OF his
means to secure this end, and responded
hberally TO the calls made upon all patriotic
citizens to provide for our sick and wounded
soldiers. In 1862 he was notified by telegraph
that President Lincoln had appointed him and
Bishop Ames Commissioners to go within the
Confederate lines and look after the com fort of
our prisoners, and to establish q basis OF eX-
change. He replied forthwith by telegraph.
accepting the responsible position, and at the
earliest moment entered upon its dute'.
Although the Commissioners we're refused ad-
arranged a cartel OF exchange, which was
observed for some time and which secured the
release of hundreds OF brave men from Rebel
dungeons.
During the contest between ex President
JOIN son and Congress he sympathized with the
latter, but took DO public part against the
President. Although decidedly Republican in
politics, he IS very moderate aud even.minded in
his we've, and not at all liable to be led away
by partisan feelings. MIR. Fish Is gentleman
OF fine abilities and strict integrity of character.
He, is exceedingly mild, urbane, and polished
in bis manners, possesses fine figure, aud Is
gifted with powers of persuasion in a high
degree. He has travelled considerably in
Europe and other parts OF The world, and has
carefully studied the political ideas of foreign
nations, which last qualification will aid him to
no email extent in performing the delicate
duties of bis new office.
During the past few years Mr.. Fish has been a
warm FREUD and ardent admirer of General
Grant. and aided to the extent OF his ability in
securing his election. The cares of large
estate have prevented Mr. tieh taking an active
part in national politics, but he is known to
entertain very decided opinions on all points OF
public interest, and that his opinions are gene.
rally In accord with those of President Grant.