The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-23

Tho New Cabinet Changes.
President Grant is following in the foot
steps of General jackson in his determine
ton that his Cabinet shall be SO composed
NJ not to obstruct his own views of what is
best for his party nor his own preference OF
successor. He is too strong and deliberate
to go off on sudden impulse, and when he
commits himself to any course his character
is guarantee that no will Eight it out on
insurmountable. The step he has now
taken has doubtless been pondered with
deliberateness proportional to its gravity
and resolved upon with clear perception OF
its political consequences. He cannot be
unaware of the Interpretation which will be
put upon it by tho country, and he is evil
dontly willing that il should be understood
i'll its most obvious sense It is public
declaration of his preference of Senator
Conkling for the Presidency and of his de-
termination to aid him in every way con-
sistent with the duties and decorum of his
station.
1t would be unbeftting for the President
Of the United States to descend into the
vulgar political arena or to make improper
appointments for effect on the Presidential
canvass. But in this case President Grant
has done neither. These new appointments
IRE, one md ALL defcnsible on their merits.
None of them could easily be improved, If
the sole object were to fill the vacant places
with men thoroughly competent to dis
charge their duties; nor can it be said that
the vacancies were created for the purpose
of making appointments which have poll
tical bearing The most important Of our
foreign missions has been too long vacant.
particularly as We have a critical contro-
versy with Great Britain relating to the Ex-
tradition Treaty. The President nominate d
ON able SUCCESSOR to General Schenck while
the latter was on. his voyage home
to meet the charges against him, but
Mr.. Danas was rejected by the SEN
ate. The sending in Of another nomi-'
nation had become a matter of urgency,
and the selections Of Judge Pierrepont. who
is admirably qualified for that mission, Gre
ated vacancy in the Office Of Attorney Cen
eral, which needed to be filled at once Sec
rotary Taft, an eminent lawyer, who has
spent his life in that profession and who
ound his duties in the War Department
new and uncongenial, desired to be trans
ferred to the Department of Justice, and his
wish was very properly acceded to, which
left another Cabinet vacancy. 1t can as little
be said that this vacancy was created without
good cause, as that in the Attorney General
ship. The vacancy in the War Department
could not be filed by Cabinet promotion,
and the President had to go outside as he
did when he appointed Judge Taft. The
only question Of fitness that can arise re-
lates to the personal qualifications of Mr..
'.Don" Cameron. They are really of very
high order, or, at least the Senate has shown
that it so considers them by promptly con-
frming Mr.. Cameron with the other two. He
is o young man-not yet forty, we believe
and he has never before held political
Office. But he is widely known as one
of the most capable, shrewd and ener-
getic business men in the State of Penn
sylvania- He has been accustomed to man.
age extensive undertakings, and has the
trained sagacity, knowledge Of men and
largeness of view which are both required
and cultivated in the management of great
enterprises. He is one of the most rising
among the younger men of the country, and
is fitted to make even more important
figure in business and public affairs than
Senator Simon Cameron, his distinguished
father. Nobody can affect to doubt TINT he
will prove not merely good but a singu-
larly able and efficient Secretary of War.
All of these new appointments, therefore,
which make such an unwonted stir in politi-
cal circles, are fully vindicated by their
fitness, and the occasions for them have
arisen naturally in the necessities of the
public service. But it cannot be denied
that they have also political meaning, and
this it is which touches the nerves of poll
tics and causes an almost convulsive move-
mont