Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-03-11
THE NEW CABINET.

On the 9th, den Grant announced the names OF
the gentlemen who are to compose his Cabinet,
with the exception of the Secretary of War. They
are as follows Secretary yofState-Elhu B. Wash
burne, of Illinois; Secretary of the Treasury
Alexander T. Stewart, of New York; Secretary Of
the Navy-Adolph E. Borie, of Pennsylvania; /;
Attorney -General-Eben R. Hoar, Of Massaehu-
sets; Secretary Of the Interior-Jacob D. Cox, Of
Ohio; Postmaster-General- A. j. Cresswel, Of
Maryland. Secretary Scho6eld remains Secretary
of War, pro. tenn.
Thereare some weak pieces of timber in this
collection None of them has ever been noted tor
frst-class craftsmanship, or second-class ability
They are, with the exception of Mr.. Washburne
and Mr. Stewart, comparatively unknown to the
country, and their pre-emnence in this respect is
due to other causes than political distinction. The
former of these is an old stager in politics. but he
has ever shown himself more remarkable forthe
tenacty with which he clings to Office than for the
display Of any great fitness for it.
Mr.. Stewart is, it is true we'll known but not as
statesman, or even politician His reputation is
based entirely upon his great success as mer-
chant, added to the fact that he is one Of the rich
est millionaires of the country. If he prove as
able fnancier while in charge of the national
treasury as he has been in the management of his
private finances, his appointment will be public
benefit but this result does not follow as matter
of course. Mr. Stewart has vast patronage at
his disposal, and public officer cannot always dis
crin,inate as judicously as private individual.
He was probably selected for this position on &C
count of his opposition to the payment Of the Gov
eminent Bonds in anything but gold and silver
With regard to theother members of the Cabi-
net, the following particulars have been unearthed
Mr.. Borie is moderate Radical, but a strong
party man, though he has never before tasted the
sweets of Office. His knowledge of naval affairs
must be presumed to be vast, in the absence Of
any information to the contrary Mr.. Hoar is an
d-schoo abotionst, of the Lloyd Garrison stripe,
but has never been prominent as an interpreter of
the Constitution or the laws Mr.. Cox has been
Governor of Ohio, and has been in Congress. He
is opposed to paying currency for Government
Bonds. Mr.. Cresswel has been U. S. Senator
from Maryland. In the early part of 1861, he was
violent secessonist but the speedy subjection of
Maryland to the Federal rule removed his blind
ness, and he was reconstructed, becoming an ex-
tremely ardent and loyal Union man.
Of course General Grant had reasons for select
ing the above-named gentlemen for his Constitu-
tional advisers; but they are not Of nature that
the world can easily discover. 1t may be that his
object was merely to falsify the prophecies of
cabinet guessers IF so, he has succeeded admira.
bly, for the shrewdest of guessers would never
have hit the mark, except in the cases of Wash
burne and Stewart. If his object was to form
cabinet that he can mould to his will, he has, in
all probability, selected wisely. But if he wanted
men of proved ability and known political sagucity
to give him advice as to the administration of their
several departments, Grant has made very sin
gular choice 1t is pity he made such a mystery
of his appointments; for now that they are made
known, the travail of the mountain truly results in
very small mouse, or rather litter of mice.