Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-03
rU,e New commissioner of Agr-
culture.

It had been hoped that the suggestion
nf the Washington correspondent OF the
Burlington Free Press, OF the name oil
Ex.Governor Frederick Holbrook of Yer
rnont. TO succeed Horace Capron as Com
missioner of Agriculture, would receive
consideration, as his appointment would
have secured to that department q practi-
cal, intelligent and faithful servant. The
vegetable head of the agricultural bureau,
Isaac Newton, brought it into ridicule
by his gross ignorance, and it was expect
ed that some one would be appointed this
time who had some real knowledge Of the
business. and that Governor Holbrook
would have made il an honor to the coun-
try instead of a standing joke of every
one who knows how it is managed.
President Grant has shown strong good
sense in most of hi, appointments and un.
doubleday has appointed really able and
competent man to the position of Agri-
culture in the person of Hon. Fredsrick
Watts of Carlisle, Penn, who has been
appointed as successor to Gen. Capron, to
date from August LIST Judge Watt is a
native of Carlisle, and was educated at
Dickinson College, where he was gradual
cd at the age of 10. Immediately after
his graduation he went to Erie county,
Penn, and there lived three years with
au uncle, working daily ON his farm. Re-
turning to Carlisle, he studied with. An
drew rothers, and was admitted to the
Bar He practiced his profession until
1913, when he was commissioned by Gov.
William f. Johnston as Presiding Judge
of the IX'h Judicial District of Pennsyl-
vauia, composed of the counties of Cum
berlAnd Perry, and Juniata. This office
be held for three years, when, it having
been made elective, and the district be-
ing undor the control of the political par
ty with which he was not in sympathy,
he retired from tho Bench and returned
10 the Bar. de did not, however, actively
engage in his profession, large portion
his time being devoted to the personal
,.,... 'uteudence of farm near C,rlsle
u - man years be had been farmer, as
n,.,I >wyer. aud had become known
., nm, who h.. feVed 10 the application of
i..noo. 70 the til, ing of Che soil. In 1858
he abandoned entire. " the practice of law,
and since then has b sen exclusively a
farmer. During the las, few years he has
resided on his farm. giving I" All the de-
tails If its management his personal at
tention. He il also the owner or another
farm. which he manages through tenant.
Judge Watts prominence as fan mer led
h his election, in 1856, as the First Presl-
dent of the Pennsylvania Agricn lturai
Society, which office he held until 1857,
when he declined a reelection. he was
elected the Frat President of the Board
of Trussees of the Agricultural College of
Pennsylvania. a position which be still
hnld.. He has never been prominent ~ a
politician. although entertaining at all
times positive views of public policy, and
has never been candidate for Congress
or L,pgi-lAtivo houors. He was not an APP
plirant for the distinguished position to
which he has just been appointed, and its
duties and responsibilities have been ac-
sc pied with reluctance.
Judge Watts ia a practical scientific
-farmer BE has not devoted his life to
she practice II progressive methods of
diversified agriculture. aud has always
manifested a deep interest and genuine
qntku-iasm in the advancement of the
s,asra calling. In his new Office he
b. expeeted to give to all the agri-
al interests OF the country the same
-. ,eDt and industrious attention he
wed upon the varied operations
't,;'tn aa1 the agriculture of Penn
'ylvAuia,