New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-11
CABINET SKETCHES.
r. W. THOMPSON.


Richard w. Thomson, who is to be Sec
retary of War, is a Virginian by birth, and
a Whig politician of the old school. He was
born in Culpepper county on June 8, 1909,
and received a good classical education. He
was fond of adventure, and long before he
was of age set his face toward the wilds of
Kentucky. In 1881 he settled in Louisville
as e clerk in a email store. Subsequently he
removed to Lawrence county, Indiana,
where he taught school for few months,
and then went into store, selling goods by
day and studying law by night, In 1884 he
was admitted to the bar, and was almost
immediately elected to the Iodiana Lagisla-
ture. He was re- elected in 1888, and in the
following year went to the Senate, where he
served two years, being President pro TEN.
of that body, In the campaign OF 1910 he
worked zsalously for "rippeeanoe and
Tyler toO,' being a presidential electOr
aud sueaking constantly from the stump.
In IS4l he WAS elected Representative in
Congress Ia l844 he was again chosen q
presidential electOr, and in 1871 reappesred
in Congress. President TaylOr offered him
the appointment of charge d'atfaires to Aue-
tria and President Fillmore the office of Re-
corder of the General Land Office, but he
preferred to practice his profession. In
1864 he was elected presidential elsctOr,
and in 1868 was a delegate to the Repub-
lican National Convention. Ia political
circles he has the reputation of being an ex-
cellent platform maker, and his friends say
that he has constructed more party plat
forms than any other politician in the West.
The resolutions adopted by the Chicago
convention in 1860 were drawn up and read
by him. He was chairman of the Indiana
delegation at the Cincinnati convention last
year, and voted for Mr.. Morton until the
break was made for Mr.. Hayes. He was
put forward to place Senator Morton in
nomination, and his speech, with the ex-
ception of that of Colonel Iogersoll, was
probably the most effective of any made on
that occasion. Mr.. Thompson is q man of
exceedingly fine presence, tall, straight,
with white hair, and 8 cOuntenanoe
denoting great decision of character. He
is considered one of the bsst stump orators
in Indiana. His appointment seems to be
satisfactory to every interest in the Repub-
lican party in Indiana. Senator Morton
and his friends are we'll pleased with the
selection, and the anti-MOrtOn Republicans
make no opposition to his entering the Cab
met. If the Republicans of Indiana were
consulted in regard to the selection of q
man from their State o large majority
would undoubtedly name General Benia-
min H. Harrison, candidate for the Cover
nOrship at the last election, but the per-
sOnal rivalry which exists between Cover
nor Morton and the friends of General ii ar
rison has caused President Hayes to offer a
seat in his Cabinet to another Indiana man
While the President is not governed in
making his Cabinet appointments by the
claims of prominent politicians, he does
seek, wherever it is possible, not unneces-
sarily to offend the influential party leaders
by giving especial recognition TO their
rivals or personal enemies.
GENERAL DEyESs.
General Charles Dsvens is one Of the best
4 l. r..
been In active politics. He was born al
ChariestOwa, MASSACHUSETTS,, April 4. 1890,
entered Harvard University in 1884, and
after graduating st its law scheoi, began
legal practice II Franklin county, 1assa-
chusaTls, Ia 1871 He aerved in inc Ssate
Senate i947-48 and Was United Sfates mar.