Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-03-09
The New Cabinet.
SECRETARY OF STATE.

years of age was born in Boston, where his father
jeremiah Evarts. was known as lawyer, editor,
teacher, author and philanthropist He gradus-
ted at Yale in 1897, as his father had done thirty
five years earlier and after studying law at Har-
ward, commenced the practice of that profession
in New York city. He soon gained high rank
at the bar, aud has long been at the head of one
of the most successful legal firms of the country.
He has held Office only for brief periods, having
been for a short time member of the Cabinet of
President johnson, and recently member OF the
New York Charter Commission. His services as
a counsel at the impeachment trial of Andrew
John son, as one Of the counsel before the Geneva
Commission, and as leading counsel for the de-
fence at the Tilton- -Beecher trial have made his
name and abilities known to the people of this
country, and his published discourses and ad-
dresses afford evidence Of his scholarship. He
has been regarded conservative republican,
though at times he has been as positive in his sup
port Of the principles and measures of his party as
the most radical of his associates.
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
John Sherman, born in Ohio, of good Connect
cut stock, is now fifty-four years of age. With
out the advantage of collegiate course of train
ing. he studied law with an elder brother, and
was licensed to practice that profession ON his
twcnty-frst birthday. beginning in 1854, he was
four times elected to the lower house of Congress,
when he succeeded Chief Justice Chase in the
Senate, where he has since remained by successive
re elections. He has been one Of the hard-work-
ing members of that body, steadily growing in
influence, and always a stcadfast republican.
SECRETARY OF WAR.
George w. McCrary is a comparatively young
man, little known to the people of the country,
except as an able and influential member of Con-
gress. lie is forty-two years of age and was
born in Indiana, but when he was one year old
his parents settled the territory comprising what
is now the State of Iowa. After receiving an
academic education he studied law, and was ad-
mittcd to the bar at the age of twenty one. He
soon became leader in the local politics Of that
State and eight years ago be was elected to Cor
gress, where he has since remained. lie is
sound lawyer, a man of unquestioned character
and reliable republican.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
Richard W. Thompson, now in his sixty-eighth
year, and "a republican warhorse,' is the Oldest
member Of the Cabinet. lie is a native Virginian
ward, reaching Indiana, where he has resided
about forty-fve years. After teaching school
and selling goods, he found his true place
when 10 1884, he became a member of the
bar, and took to politics. 1t took him but
two years TO reach the State Senate, and during
the first term Of service there he vas for a short
time its presiding officer From 1871 to ISi9 he
served in Congress, since which time he has not
held office. But he has been q leader of the re-
publican party, always prominent in its national
conventions, and always respected far and wide
for his ability and integrity.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
Carl Schurz one of the most widely known of
the new Cabinet, has had eventful life of forty
eight years. Educated at Bonn, in his native
Germany be adopted the profession Of journalist,
and was a participant in the exciting scenes of
lS4S and succeeding years, and became poltica
refugee. lie cime to this country quarter of a
century ago, and soon became an active partici-
pant in the anti-slavery movement He has
resided 10 two or three different States
and has been Washington correspondent,
editor. lecturer, Senator from Missouri, major
general in the army, and Minister TO Spain.
Charles Devens, now about sixty years of age
like Mr.. Evarts, was born within the present lin
its of the city of Boston. He graduated at Har-
ward in the class of 1888, and after studying law,
was admitted to the bar and removed to Worces-
ter, where he resided for some years. During the
administration of Millard Fillmore he held the
position of United States Marshal for the Boston
district. When the war broke out he led into
the field one Of the earliest of the regiments
raised in Mass, and was an efficient officer. Dur
ing the war he was the candidate of the Massa-
chuse,ts democrats for Governor though it was
understood that he did not fully accept their plat
form; and since then he has been regarded as a
moderate republican. After a short term of SER
vice on the bench of the Superior Court, he was
appointed Justice of the Supreme Court-a po-
siton he has most creditably filled.
POSTMASTER GENERAL.
David NJ. Key, of Tennessee, was hardly known
outside of his native State until his appointment
to the National Senate to fill out the unexpired
term OF Andrew johnson. lie is fifty -four years
of age, lawyer by profession, has won distnc-
ton on the bench, and commanded Confederate
regiment during the rebellion. Although nomi-
nally democrat, his course in the Senate was
often OF an bipartisan character.
POLITICAL.