New-York tribune., 1874-06-02
WASHINGTON.
NEW SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

eEN. BRIsrow-A REVIEW OF HIS PUBLIC SER
vICEs-HIs QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION
NOW TENDERED HIM BY THE PRESIDENT
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, June 1.-The appointment of Gen.
Bristow of Kentucky to be Secretary of the Treas
ury surprised no one to-day. and as far as comment
has been made IT has been very favorable The new
Secretary will go into the Department under pecu-
harly favorable circumstances for himself. The
ridiculous figure that Mr.. Richardson has cut as
Minister of Finance would make a successor OF even
less than ordinary ability appear to advantage,
while those who know Gen. Bristow best believe he
will fill the responsible position to which he has
been called not only with credit to himself but ac-
ceptably to the country
The new Secretary Is member of an old Ken
tucky family which held slaves before the war; but
which was loyal during that struggle. He entered
the Union army at the breaking out of hostlities,
and made an envable record as a soldier. OF bis
military career il need only be said that he had the
entire confidence of Gen. Thomas not only during
the war but in the troubous times that succeeded
He was before his entry into the army, one of the
most promising young lawyers of his native State,
and when he returned to peaceful pursuits was
made United States Attorney for the Louisville
District. which position he filled with marked
ability until 1870 when be called to Washington,
the creation of the Department of Justice, to fill
the responsible position of Sohcitor-General.
In 1872 he resigned in order to accept profta
BILE position in connection with the Southern Pa
cifc Railroad, and was succeeded by the Hon. Sam
mel F. 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 preparations according to the local prints for
o permanent residence there.
On the opening day of the present session Of Con-
yress it was unoflicially announced that Attorney
General Williams would be nominated to the
hief-Justiceshp, and that Mr.. Bristow would be
nominated to fill the vacancy caused by the pro-
motion of his former chief, and the following
day both names were sent to the Senate. In tho
long and hamiliating contest which followed, the
merits of Judge Williams only were considered, and
those of Mr.. Bristow did not come up for general
discussion as it understood that his confirma-
tion as Attorney General depended upon that Of
Judge Williams for the distinguished position.
When botn names had been before the Senate for
more than a month they were withdrawn by the
President.
Mr. Bristow's term as Solictor-General was CO.
incident during large part of it with that OF Mr..
Alderman as Attorney General. and it may be that
his success seemed the greater from the cOmpara-
lively meageT achievements of his SUPERIOR How
ever this may be, he seems to have performed his
duties with ability and fidelity, and to have called
out good opinions on every hand He was consd-
cred good lawyer and it is reported that the Pres
iden was very 10th to accept his resignation. Heis
man of handsome and dignifcd appearance, and very
popular both with political opponents and friends
Not the least convincing proofs of the latter fact
were the apparent satisfaction with which the news
sf bis nomination to the AttOrney-Generalshp was
received by Kentucky Democrats rs well as Repub-
hcans and the cordial manner OF its announcement
by the leading Democratic paper of his state.
The new Secretary has that legal training and
that sound good sense that will enable hlm to utter
pret properly the laws he will he called upon to
execute and an executive ability which enlinently
fits him for the management OF the complicated
machinery of the department. Above all, he is a
man of the strctest integrity and of great moral
courage and is entirely free from suspicion of con-
nection with jobbery rings of any kind. He does
not pretend to be expert in finance, but those
who know him best predict for him an honorable
career as Secretary of the Treasury. What partcu-
lar financial policy he will pursue no one seems to
know.
REFORM IN THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
TIE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
CONSIDERING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE GOVERN
MENT OF THE DIsTHCr-THE PRESENT SYSTEM