The New York herald., 1870-06-17
THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Hon. Amos. +. Alderman.

Hon. Amos. Il. Alderman.
President Grant yesterday sent to the agnate for
connrmatf0n as Attorney General OF the United
States the name OF Amos T. Ackerman, OF Georgia.
The new appolntee was born at Portsmouth, n H..
In ls2s, and Is, consequently, fory-seven years OF
age. He was educated at Dartmouth College. ana
soon after graduating went to- Georgia, where, we
think, ne was employed as teacher for some tine
This was In 1874 ana since then he has resided
In the State. He studied law in the ONCE OF the
celebrated Judge Berrien OF Georgia, at one time
Attorney General Of the United States, and. before
ana afterwards, Senator In Congress From
the old jude, who abandoned the democracy
and joined the wings, Mr.. AcSerman imbibed his
political principles. While the whig party lasted he
was member OF II, and IN 1900 he supported the
Bell and Everett ticket. He was never prominent In
politics, however, until after the close OF the war;
resident OF the mountains OF Georgia, where there
are few negroes and where the institution OF slavery
was little known and less cared about, he remained
throughout the rebellion strong Unonlst and on
the return Of peace was one OF the arst to advise
compliance with tho will OF Congress. He was
elected q member OF the Reconstruction Constilu-
tional Convention In 1857, and Iook prominent
position among the members. lie opposed from the
beginning the movement 10 oust Governor Jenkins
and place Mr.. Bullock IA ofice as provisional
measures which were proposed by the ultra
radicals But while In many respects most
day alter the meeting OF the Convention, decided
stand In favor OF negro suffrage and insisted upon
the right OF the negro TO hold ollce. For time he
was well supported in his views regarding oiiice-
holding; but finally the country delegates who
styled themselves advocates of the reconstruction
policy OF Congress- and dlsclaimed being republi
cans, absolutely refused To vote Tor the measure.
The subject therefore dropped. and the const-
tuition framed was silent as to whether the negro
mad the right TO hold ONCE Had the early support
ers vi Mr.. Ackernan been as firm as himself the
troubles winch followed In Georgia would never have
been experienced.
Mr.. Ackerman has been from the beglnning OF re-
construction strong opponent OF Bullock and his
clique OF professional OflcehOders one OF his ablest
| speeches, delivered IN the Convention at early
period or the session, was sharp attack upon the
singing, satlrlcal review OF the qualities OF that
gentleman for prominent executive position.
| During the late Presidential campag M. AcAer-
mans name headed the republican electoral ticket
which, as Is known, was defeated. soon after
Grants inauguration he was appointed United States
Attorney for the district OF Georgia, position
| he now holds. 1t Is understo0d that had
the nomination OF MI. Bradley as Associate
Justice Of the supreme Court been rejected by the
Senate the name Of the new Attorney General would
| have been sent In 10 fill the vacancy.
In personal appearance Mr.. Alderman Is quite en-
| gaging. he Is rather below the medium height and
| has pleasant face, full Of intelligence and amia-
bility As lawyer he stands well IN Georgia having
large and lucrative practice. AS an orator he Is
nuent easy speaker, and In matters Of law said TO
| be o learned man. Socially, Mr.. Ackernan is a
Jectios TO ex-Attorney General Hoar his immediate
predecessor, will never be charged against him. he
Is one Of the most aiabe aud easily approached Of
| gentlemen In public life.