The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-11-24
CABINET CHANGES AND ouARRELs

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Every few days we have in our Wash
ington dispatches a repetition OF the old
story, "There are welI-foundedrumors OF
Cabinet changes" These rumors have
been freely circulated ever since there
wason this continent a Cabinet to change,
and the changes in rapid succession lol-
low the rumors, and then we have other
rumors and still other changes.
1t is a mistake to conclude that Cabi-
net quarrels and Cabinet changes have
only become common in the later days
of our Republic. In this country the life
Of Cabinet officer was never serene
existence, undisturbed by personal ami
mostly or the Jealousy engendered by
the rivalry for the possession OF political
power, Washington's Cabinet consisted
of but four officers, but there were alto
gether nine persons in it during his ad-
ministration.
John Adams, although President but
four years, had eight persons in his Cabi-
net, anayerage OF but two years apiece.
Things then. moved on little smoothly
till General Jackson's time. His Cabi-
net, If we include General Barry, Post
master General, who was not, however,
strictly speaking, a Cabinet officer, was
composed Of eight officials, and sixteen
persons were members Of IL during his
two. terms of eight years, the average
time In Office being two years, the same
as the members of the Cabinet of John
Adams.
But between the times Of John Adams
and General Jackson the tenure Of a
Cabinet officer was neither long nor GER
tain. President Jefferson had three Sec
retaries of the Navy and four Attorneys
General. Mr.. Madison had four Secre-
taries of the Treasury and three Attor-
neys General, and John Quincy Adams
had two Secretaries OF War. During the
sixteen years that elapsed between the
Inauguration of Polk and the retirement
of Buchanan the Cabinets were about
the most stable parts OF our political
machinery.
! Mr.. Folks Cabinet of six officers had
but eight persons in it. Gen. Taylor's
Cabinet Of seven officers had but seven
persons in 1T. President Fillmore had
eleven persons 10 his Cabinet Of seven
officers, but one OF the changes was
caused by the death OF Mr.. W ebster, and
the others by voluntary designations.
Mr.. Pierce was the only man who ever
served full term without single Cabi.
net change.
y Mr.. Buchanan made NO changes till
the latter part OF his administration,
and the number during the fourteen
years since Mr.. Lincoln became Presi.
dent will be found to about equal those
In the earlier periods of our history.
| That Cabinet officers endeavored to
manipulate affairs in the early days
pretty much as they do at present Is
made clear by the history OF the bitter
disputes between Jefferson and Hamil-
ton during Washington's administration,
by the difficulties in the latter part OF
John Adams Presidency, by the trouble
khat led to the change from Robert Smith
ho James Monroe in the third year Of Mr..
Madison's Presidency, and by the rival.
Fies Of John Q. Adams, w. 81. Crawford
Gnd John g. Calhoun, all Of whom as.
pired to succeed Mr.. Monroe, in Mr.. Mon
Soe's Presidency.
(FBoth q note of the frequency OF the
changes and an observation Of the work,
bngs OF our Cabinets, so far as the out
side world Is able to observe them, arr
liable to impress one with the belief tina,
Of all high official positions most un
easily rests the head Of a Cabinet officer
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