Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-06-06
THE NEW SECRETARY.
Favorable Comments upon his APP
q. POiotment-EeVteW OF his Public
SeTyIees-HIs Qualifications
for the Position.


From the New York Tribune
WASHINGTON, June 1.-The appoint
ment of General Bristow, OF Kentucky,
to be secretary of the treasury surprised
no one to-day, and as far ag comment has
been made if has been very favorable.
The new secretsTy will go into the de-
psrtment under peculiarly favorable cir
cumstances for himself. The ridiculous
figure that Mr.. Richardson has cut as a
minister of finance would make a sue
cessor of even less than ordinary ability
appear 10 advantage, while those who
know General BristOW best believe he
will fill the responsible position TO which
be has been called not only with credit
TO himself but acceptably to the country.
The new secretary is a member of All
old Kentucky family which held slaves
before the war, but which was loyal dur
ing that struggle. he entered the Union
army at the breaking out of hostilities,
aud made an enviable record as soldier.
Ofhis military career it need only be said
that he had theentire confidence of Cen
ersl Thomas, not only during the war,
but in the trOublous times that succeed
ed. He was, before his entry into the
army, one Of the most promising young
lawyers of his native State, and when
made United States attorney for the
Louisville district, which position he
filled with marked ability until 1870,
when he was called 10 Washington, on
the creation Of the department OF justice,
10 fill the responsible p15it.pn OF solicit
or-geBeral. In 1872 he resigned in order
20 accept a more profitable position in
connection with the Southern Pacific
railroad, and was succeeded by Hon.
Samuel +. Phillips, of North Carolina,
who still holds the Office. During the
latter half Of the year 1873 he returned
from Philadelphia, where his new duties
compelled him to reside, to Louisville;
and having severed his connection with
the railroad company, made prepara-
tiOns, according TO the local prints, for
a.permanent residence there. On the
opening day of the present session of
congress ii was unoflicially announced
that Attorney General Williams would
be nominated to the chief justiceship,
and that Mr.. BristOW would be nomi-
mated to fiji the vacancy caused by the
promotion Of his former chief, aud on
the following day both names were sent
to the senate. In The long and humiliat- |
ing contest which followed, the merits I
Of Judge Williams only were consider /
ed, aud those Of Mr. BristOW did not 4
come up for general discussion, as il /
was understood thst his confirmation as
general depended upon that of 4
Judge Williams for the more distin-
guished position. When both names
had been before the senate foT more than /
B mouth they were Withdrawn by the
President. Mr.. Brlstow's term as solicit
Dr-general was coincident daring large +,
part Of il with that of Mr.. Akerm an as
and il may be that his
success seemed the greater from the I
mesger achievements of |
his superior. However this may be, he
seems 10 have performed his duties with
ability aud fidelity, and 10 have called 4
out good opinions on every hand. He
was considered good lawyer,
and il is reported that the Presi-
ident was very 10th to accept his res.g-
nation. He is a man OF handsome aud
dignified appearance, aud very popular
both with political opponents and
friends. Not the least convincing proofs
OF the latter fact were the apparent sat
with which the news OF his
10 the attOrney-generalsh /
was received by Kentucky Democrats 4
as well as Republicans, and the cordial 4
manner OF its announcement by the I
leading Democratic paper Of his State. 4
The new secretary has that legal train I
ing aud that sound good sense that
would enable him to interpret properly 1
the laws he will be called upon to exc |
cute, and an executive ability which |
fits him for the management |
Of the complicated mschinerytsf the de- |
partment. Above all, he is a nan of
the strictest integrity, and of great moral
courage, and is entirely free from sus-
picion of connection with jobbery or