National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-07

pied seat upon that bench up to his appointment
as Secretary of the Navy.
In conversation with Representative of The RE-
PUBLICAN yesterday, Judge Hunt, referring TO some
incidents of former years, alluded to the fact that
OH April l.. 1860, he delivered an Grafton in New
Orleans at the inauguration of statue to Henry
Clay, in which he uttered sentiments of the most
intense loyalty to the General Government, which
were applauded to the echo by the crowd present,
and yet, within about six months, thatsame crowd
were endeayoring to take Louisiana out Of
the Union. He stated that since his appointment
he lad received kilograms and letters from all
parts of the South, many from those who had
been his most bitter political opponents, all
breathing the most eOngratulatofy sentiments.
This, of course, was peculiarly gratifying, and
tended to the belief that his appointment would
give general satisfaction throughout the South.
Judge Hunt appeared highly pleased at
the complimentary manner in which Senator
Jonas spoke of him when MS name came UP for
confirmation, and said that though he had not
yet had an opportunity to express his thanks for
this graceful act from a political opponent, he
should take early occasion to do so. So far as
Judge Hunt Is concerned, The Stalwart element OF
the party and the best portion of the Southern
Republicans will be ably represented.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
Thomas L. James was born in Ithica Oneida
Y, ~
old was apprcnticed to learn the printing business
in the Office of the Liberty Press, at Utica, under the
veteran abolitionist, Wesley Bailey. Five years
later he. in partnership with Francis B. Fisher,
purchased and edited the Madison County Journal
at Hamilton, y. Y, which he published for nearly
ten years, first Wing and efteTward as 4 Re
publican organ. Hamilton was q Democratic
stronghold but Mr.. James was largely in
Strumental in 1856 in carrying the Repub
lican county ticket against the powerful Know
Nothing combination. He took active part
in promoting all local interests was influential in
the management of political campaigns in the
county, and filed for several years the local Office
Of collector of canal tolls. He was well known as
a life long advocate OF the temperance and aboH-
ton causes, and enjoyed the warm friendship of
his neighbOr, the venerable phlanthrOpist, GerriJ
Smith. In 1861, through the influence, as IS be-
lieyed, Of 8fr. Thurlow Weed, he exchanged the
quietude of Il country town for the post of an
Inspector OF customs in this city, under the Col!
lectorship of Hiram Barney. In 1861 he was
promoted without solicitation to the position of
wcigher, and III 1869 TO that of deputy collector in
charge Of the third division (warehouSing depart
ment the most responsible post in the collectoFal
Office Three years later. in 1872, he was strongly
urged for the Suryeyorship OF this port, then va
caIed by Alonzo B. Cornell but to his own surprise
and that Of his friends President Grant sent in his
name a. postmaster upon the resignation OF Cen
eral p II. Jones. Several ofthe most eminent citi-
zens Of New York, including Thurlow Weed. Z. D.
Morgan, A. B. Cornell, Thomas Murphy, and
Abram Wakeman, volunteered 70 become his sure
ties in the large sum of 81, 10000 required as
qualification for that responsible office
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
Samuel ]. KirkwOod. who has accepted The port
folio of the Interior Department, was born Ia Har-
ford IN
ceiycd his academic education in this city attend
ing the school of the we'll remembered John Nc
Leod, and he was subsequently, employed here as
drug clerk. In 1855 he removed 10 Richland
County, Ohio, where he studied law, and came to
the bar i'll 1915 For four years he was prosecuting
attorney for the county, and as a member of the
Judiciary committee OF the convention Of 1850
contributed not little to the state constitution
adopted in 1851. Removing TO Iowa in 1856, he
engaged in the double business of farming
and milling near Iowa City In 1856 he was
elected to the State senate and served through the
last session held at Iowa City and the first held al
Dcs Moines. In 1859 he was chosen Governor over
A. c. Dodge DemoerGt) by a majority of 1864. His
administration satisfactory at that critical
period that he was rcnOminated without oppOSi-
ton and elected. During his term by his pru-
dent management he saved the State 100000 out
OF the $4,000 appropriated for the defense bonds
In 1866 he was elected to the United States Senate
to fill the unexpired term OF James Harlan aud
served on the Committees on Pensions and
Public Lands. In 1867 he returned TO Iowa
City and prosecuted his private business in July,
1919, the Republicans nominated him for Governor,
and he was elected in October. In his guberna-
torial term during the war President Lincoln
offered him the mission 70 Denmark. He declined
to accept Il until the expiration of his term, and
the President continued the offer until that time
Governor KirkwOOd, however, was compelled to
again decline on account OF private business. In
january, 1879, ne was again elected 20 the United
states Senate as the successor of George 6. Wright
which position he leaves for the one to which he
has just been nominated and confirmed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Wayne MacYcagh was born at Phnnixyille,
Chester County, Pennsylvania April 10, 1853 COM
ing Of Scotch percentage. lie entered Yale College
and was graduated i'll his twentieth year. in 1853,
standing tenth IN class Of los. On leaving college
Mr.. MacVeagh entered the law Office OF James J.
Lewis, at West Chester, Penn, and soon became
well known as an able lawyer. He advanced
steadily until he stood high in fayo. with The bar
of the State and Of the United States Supreme
Court. 1T the breaking cut OF the war he entered
the volunteer service Us captain Of a company of
cavalry which he organized, aud was promoted to
major, but was compelled 70 resign his command.
as lie lost his health. In 1868 he was chairman OF
the Republican central committee or PennsyIva-
MA and i'll General Grants first term as President
he was appointed Minister at Coastantinople He
strongly favored reforms, and was all active mem
Der of the Young Mems Reform Club. He married
& daughter Of the Hon. Simon Cameron, and has
always been friendly social terms with the Cam
crOnS, although strongly opposing them politically
NJ. MacEeagh has of late years acted Us counsel
FOX the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.