New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-11-28
Secretaryship Of the Treasury

The election of General Wilson as Vic
President will make vacancy in the United
States Senate from Massachusetts,. Hon.
George S. Boutwell,, the Secretary OF the
Treasury, has been. named as his probable
successor. 1t is the general impression that
he desires to be relieved from the position
he has filled for nearly four years with such
eminent ability and such honor and profit to
the country. If he should. tender his resig-
nation before the meeting of the MasSachu-
sets Legislature in anticipation of his can
didacy for the Senate, or if Ne should be
elected before resigning, the very delicate
and responsible duty of appointing his sue
cessor will devolve upon the President.
Already the press has begun to speculate upon
the question, and several gentlemen have
been suggested as those from whom the
selection would probably be made, and among
them is Hon. William A. Richardson, pres
ent Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
Of all those who have been named i'll con-
nection with the position, should there be
vacancy, and of all probable candidates, MIR.
Richardson, in our opinion, is pre-cminently
the right man. Having been officially associ-
ated with the Secretary Of the Treasury for
most Of the last four years, and acting Sec
rotary much of this time, there is no man in
the Union so thoroughly familiar with the
duties of the office, who so well understands
the financial policy of the Government, and
is so competent to. carry forward successfully,
without injury to the business of the country,
that policy. Indeed, so self-evident seems
to us Mr.. Richardson's fitness for the va
cancy, and the propriety of his appointment,
that we can entertain hardly doubt that he
will be selected.
Aside from Judge Richardson's eminent
fitness for the position from his large expert
ence, and his entire sympathy with the finan-
cial policy which has proved so beneficial to
all the great interests Of the country and re-
fected such credit upon the nation at home
and abroad, he is gentleman of the very
highest character, Of superior ability, Guilt
waited mind, enlarged and statesman-like
views, extensive legal requirements, and oil
tried and unquestionable integrity. He has
held several positions of trust and response
bility in Massachusetts, and at the time he
was induced to accept the appointment Of
Assistant Treasurer, held an Office quite as
honorable and far more lucrative. In aban'
doning it for his present position, he made q
sacrifice of personal interests, and ii is under
stood, of personal feeling also, at the urgent
solicitation If Secretary Boutwell,, and from G
willingness to serve the public even at such 8
cost to himself.
But there is also another reason besides
his great experience and high character
which seems to make his appointment almost
a matter of course. 1t presents far moro
favorable opportunity than the appointment
of postmaster at Philadelphia did, or thar
any that has yet occurred for the Presiden
to enforce, with advantage to the Govern
ment, the principle Of the civil service reform
rules. The promotion of Mr.. Richardson vii
not only be in perfect accord with both thu
spirit and the letter of its requirements, bu
will be the only logical and consistent deduc
ton to be drawn from it. 1t presents cast
| where the execution of a doubtful measure
cannot fail of undoubted advantage to thu
public service, nor to meet the public appro
baton. 1t can hardly be questioned, there
fore, that if vacancy should occur, Mr.
Richardson will be appointed to it.