Daily globe., 1881-03-07
GARFIELD,S CABINET.

GARFIELD'S CABINET.
The cabinet of President Garfield was
officially promulgated yesterday. With
the exception of the Secretary of the In
terror, the cab met is the same as an
nounced in Saturdays GLOBE. Taken
as whole, the cabinet is not a strong
one, and will be, generally, disappoint-
ment to the county Mr. Blaines occupan-
cy of the chief cabinet position is what was
expected, and will be accepted as a fit
ting recognition of his position in the
dominant party of the country. AS the
concentration of Blaine's strength upon
Garfield at the Chicago convention
secured him (Garfield) the nomination,
it is but fair that Blaine
should receive at the hands of
the new President the position nearest
the throne. As the secretary of state is
expected to be plotting, willy politician,
Mr.. Blame is admirable qualified for the
post.
The appointment which will occasion
the greatest disappointment and surprise
is that of Window to the secretaryship
of the treasury. Minnesota may receive
it with loud acclaim on "local grounds"
but the weakness of the selection cannot
be hidden. The secretary of the treasury
should be emphatlcally a practical
business man. He should have, withal,
some financial experience, and at least
be able to entertain positive financial
views. 1t is only year or two ago since
Senator Window frankly avowed to
newspaper reporter that he had given the
financial question no thought and did not
know how he should cast his vote. His
nomination is taken by Wall street as
foreshadowing an initiation policy, while
as a matter of fact he does not
himself know what his policy will be-
He still has the commonest financial
rudiments to learn. OF one thing, how
ever, there can be no doubt He will
willingly do the bidding Of the banks and
so far as he has any policy it will be made
for him by the national bankers. While
every thing is prosperous he may drift
with the current, but before Gen. Gar
fields term expires there will come a
time when the new secretary of the treas
uIy will demonstrate his inability to cope
with the position he essays to occupy.
He is mediocre man without the men
tai capacity for expansion.
None of the remaining members Of the
cabinet are particularly noticeable except
Postmaster General James. That is un-
doubtedly practical selection. 1t is an
appointment made for fitness for the
the office rather than political prefer
ment, and the postal service will be vastly
improved by his being placed at its
head.
Wayne MacVeagh's selection is politi-
cal pure and simple. AS the Pennsyl-
vania delegation at Chicago contained
the ''original Garfield man" he could not
overlook that State in making up his
cabinet.
Robert Lincoln is selected solely as a
tribute of respect to his father, and not
becanse he has ever displayed any ability
in public affairs. His selection is very
doubtful experiment.
Kirkwood is somewhat eminent in his
own State, but either Wilson or Allison
would have been stronger men and would
have brought national regulations to the
cabinet.
Hunt was selected because it was neces-
sary to recognize the South by cabinet
position. AS Republican timber in that
region is not fourishing article, Gen.
Garfield may be pardoned for not secur-
ing very distinguished man in that
quarter.
The Presidents eminent ability will
give him an overshadowing voice in the
management of his cabinet, but the names
he has presented fully demonstrate that
his ability does not lie in the thorough
knowledge of men.