The New York herald., 1869-11-13
O BIT U a r Y.
Amos Kendall.


obtained more prominent position under the gov
ernment than that OF Postmaster General il Is doubt
| full If there better known public man In the
| United States.
EARLY LIFE.
| Dir. Kendall was born In Dunstablc, Mass., on
| the 10th OF August, iTS) His father q farmer In
moderate circumstances, could not afford to dis
pense with his services, That he received mis- edu-
cation at intervals of time while laboring on the
| farm. At the academies OF New Ipswich and uroton
ne received such instruction as could be afforded
| ana his leisure moments at home were devoted TO
| study. In this way he learned great
| deal SO much indeed, that when ne had
| reached his sixteenth year he was able
| to leave his fathers employment aud 20 teach
| school al North Reading. By dntuf rigid economy
| he succeeded in saving q part OF the money thus
obtained, carefully laying 1t aside for the purpose or
deyotlng 1t TO tho cherished purpose OF receiving
collegiate education. Al length-in lS0l-he found
| himself Possessed OF suAiciency to defray the
expenses. and he accordingly entered Dartmouth
College, from whence, IN 1911, he graduated with
high hon0rs, at the head OF 1s class THIS exhibition
OF proficiency win appear all the more eouluendabe
when 1t Is remembered that during his term he was
absent large portion OF the time nom college,
engaged IN teaching school. After ms graduation
Mr.. Kendall entered the law onlec OK W. Il. Richard
son, attorney at GroteD, and subsequently Chei
Justice OF New Hampshire. AT the end OF three
years n8l4) he was admitted to the bar, and some
months later visited washington Ior the purpose OF
ascertaining tue prospect winch was presented III
That city for young lawyer. Finding 10 opening
there he emierated to Kentucky settling 1T .extns
ton.
HIS CAREER l.; THE WEST
Ill success attended his efforts in The practice OF
bis profession. The business he did In Lexington
was small aud by no means Temuneiaiye. HIS
means, which were not large, became exhausted,
and ne was compelled 10 once more resort to teach
Ing Tor livelihood. lie aad made the acquaintance
OF Henry Clay and on application 70 the great whg
leader was employed as tntor IL his family, posi-
ton he occupied for about one year. Having been
much In the society oil the Kentucky poscldns, his
acquaintance witn them was turned TO hIs own
most likely that he was ndebtod 10 Mr. Gay ior his
appointment as Postmaster uf Georgetown in 1916.
Ihither he removed and by The salary obtained from
ls oncal positoh as wen ~ Inc pioAts OIL us pro-
ession, which ne continued steadily to practice,
position tnan he mad ever before enjoyed such
leisure time as ne Possessed was occupied in
editing the local newspaper at Georgetown. SO
successfm was hl5 early journalistic career That he
was sought lOr by The democratic politicians, VINO
employed nm to edit the state Journal AT Frankfort,
called the Argus or western Ane3cG. His success
III this position was marked. iis proved himseli an
able political writer, and his articles were widely
leading measures oil the denocracY, which was at
the time a progressive and radical organization.
Mr. Kendall was one OF the earliest supporters oil
the comlaon schoo! system in Kentucky. Through
ils influence che state Legislature passed an act dis
trictlns tne state and setting apart one half the
profits of the Bank oil the Commonwealth as school
iund. oi THIS bank .dr. Kendall became director
by appointment. His innuence In Kentucky was
labored diligently for tne good OF the State. He all
vocated broad and liberal policy which would
invite emigration, and instrumental in the pas
sage OF many measures tending to develop the
resources OF the state.
IN THE CABINET OF PRESIDENT JACKSON.
Till 1870 Mr. Kendall rcmalnei in Kentucky eX-
tending his sphere OF usefulness ana becoming
widely known throughout the country through ms
political papers. During the year mentioned ne was
appointed Fourth Auditor or the Treasury by prosl
dent Jackson between whom and the deceased
there existed a warm friendship, which lasted dur
ing tho lifetime of Old Hickory. From this time
dates the most interesting period or Mr. Kendall's
hfe Although he was not properly q memUer OF
Jacksona cabines til 1885, he was, with Francis P.
BLAIR. ST., head and leader OF what was popularity
known the 'Kltchen Cabmet.n During botn
terms OF the President OF his chief con-
iidentai advisers, aad IL was said OF him tnat he
was sure or admission TO tho Presidential mansion
when Its doors were closed to all others. We have
space 10 go over ell the events which transpred
during these years in which he was Concerned.
The Eaton scandal, The rupture between Calhoun
ana Jackson and the resignation of the Cabiget
together with numerous other events he was per-
ment generally believed by Tie puD.lc that tue re-
tusal OF the ladies OF the Secretaries 70 recognize
Mrs. Eaton broke up the Cabinet. On The contrary,
he asserted that 1t was the jealousy OF tue members
ior each other that brought about he crIsis
During Nj. Eendalts occupancy OF rhe olce OF
Fourth Auditor Treasury ne was frequent
contributor 10 the Ctooe tae organ OF the President
AS political writer he did good the de-
mocracy. In 1885 MS devotion 10 JACKSON
rewarded with the position OF Postmaster General.
When lie entered upon the duties OF MS oflce the
department was badly managed. It's financial
affairs were IN disorder and 1t was heavily in deDr.
WITHIN year Mr.. Kendall thoroughly rcorganlzed
the system-in fact he may h. said to have orgau-
izad new system. The department was freed nom
ali embarrassments, aud during tue following year
tls36 he submitted plan OF management TO Con-
gress, which was adopted and which has re.
manned In force vita but few, aGd those
mmateral alterations. to the present time.
lie aimed 10 make the postal service OF the country
selrsuppCrtng, If not source OF revenue. ana had
his system OF economy been rgidly carried out by
his successors there would have. peen deficiencies
such were and still are, yearly reported to Con-
greSs Upon the retirement Of Jackson aud the &C
nT Van Eprpn yvQs inalir
he Cabinet OF the latter as Postmaster General. In
this connection we would state tnat previous to
regarded as anything more than the head OF
bureau. he did not participate in the debates OF the
Cabinet. and III fact was never present at the meet
ings. President Jackson, however, invited william
7. Barry. hls first Postmaster General, TO seat
the Post ONCE Department has been considered
regular member OF The Cabinet. Mr.. Kendall re-
tanned the ouice till June, 1siO, when he resigned
the pu pose OF urtherlng the interest oi the demo-
cratic party In The Presidential election OF that year.
when, IL will pe remembered, POLK was eected.
BIS gETuRi TO CIVIL LIE.
on his retirement from the cabinet Nl. Kendall took
up his permanent residence IN Washington ana never
after held onice. presldent Pots rendered MIN a
iorelgp mission, but he declined the OFFER He
theacelorward devoted his tine TO the practice OF
his profession, doing large business anu amassing
fortune. For number of years lie was Kept busily
employed IN defending himself against suit brought
against him by certain mail contractors, the success
case was linaly brought before the Supreme Court
OF the United States ani was decided II his favor
IN 1910 the claims or ffolessOr morse 10 tue lnNel-
ton OF the telegraph having been recognized and
allowed by Congress Mr. Kendall assumed the man.
arement or the Professors interest. We believe that
his influence greatly AIDED MI Morse Ia achieving
the success with Congress that lie inally did.
During the Intervals OF professional and political
labor Mr.. Kendall did large amount OF writing.
HIS correspondence with the press and with private
individuals was extensive and interesting. lIc was
an able, renchaDG writer, giving expression to his
views III clear, vigorous language, aud commanding
respect for the argnmentattye manner IN which his
ideas were conveyed, He was the author OF Life
q
upon history OF MS lie and times wnen his death
occurred. should 1t be uear completion Its pGblca-
ton VIII add valuable work 10 our social and polit.-
cal reminiscences The stirrlng scenes in when the
author mingled lull OF interest and instruction.
MIR. Kendall also translated the ~ sions ofQueyeao,"
a spanish work OF singular qualities.
CONCLUSION.
Personally the deceased gentleman was clever,
amiaDle and charitable gentleman. lie founded the
ln, ai,l