Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-02-21
ZACH TAYLOR.
How Be Made Up His Cabinet when
He Was Chosen Presidenf-HIs II En-
sonaI APPOINTMENTS First Meeting
with Gen. Cass.

ten. Taylor. When elected preS1-
dent of the United States, was forum
ate in having as companion, coun-
selor. and friend Col William Wal
lace Bliss, who had served as his chief
of staff in the Mexican campaign,
and who became the husband of his
favorite daughter, Miss Betty Col.
Bliss was the son of Capt Bliss of the
regular army, and after having been
reared in the state of New York he was
graduated at West Point, where he
served afterward for some years as
acting professor of mathematics. He
thus acquired pedagogical manner
and studious habits, but he was sagaci-
Gus aud energetic, unacquainted with
the crooked path of politics, and un
willing to submit to arrogant southern
dictation.
On. his way to Washington from
his Louisiana plantation, Gen Taylor
visited Frank Fort and personally IN
vited Mr.. John T. Crittenden, then
governor of Kentucky, to become his
secretary of state. Gov. Crittenden,
embarrassed by the return of Henry
Clay to the senate, declined, and Gen
Taylor then telegraphed to Mr.. John
M. Clayton, of Delaware, rendering
him the position, which that gentle
man promptly accepted. The southern
wings had selected Mr.. William g.
RIves, the man who, is Mr. Webster
said, could ride with all his personal
friends in an omnibus" but the presi-
dent-elect did not fancy his imprac-
ticable conservatism.
Mr. Abbott Lawrence, who had
contributed largely to the expendi-
lures during thepresidential campaign,
solicited the appointment of secretary
of the treasury, and was offered the
navy department, which he declined.
Mr.. Thomas Butler King, of Georgia,
had desired this place, but Mr.. Robert
Toombs, supported by Representative
Stephens and Senator Dawson, sue
ceeded in having Mr.. George w.
Crawford, of that state appointed
secretary of war.
Mr. William M. Meredith, of Penn
sylvania, was rather forced upon
Gen. Taylor as secretary of the treas
ury, by Mr.. Clayton and other wings
not only on account of his acknowl-
edged talent, but to exclude objection
able Pennsylvanians, among them
Mr.. Josiah Randall, the man who,
more than any other, had contributed
to the nomination and election of the
general. A contest between Messrs.
Corwin and Vinton, of Ohio, for seat
III the cabinet, was settled by the APP
pointment of Mr.. Thomas Ewing, OF
this state, as secretary of the interior,
and Mr. Jacob Collamer, of Vermont,
who had been an unsuccessful com
petitor with Mr. Upham for the seat
in the senate, and had been recon-
mended by the legislature as attorney
general, was made postmaster gen.
eral.
Gen. Taylor had intended to appoint
Mr.. William Ballard Preston, of Vir-
ginia, as attorney general, although
several wing congressman had ex
pressed their disappointment of the
selection. Finally, Senator Archer
of Virginia, called and asked if there
was any foundation to the report that
his friend Preston was to be made at
torney general. yes, answered
Gen. Taylor, II have determined to
appoint him. ''Are you aware, gen
eral, said the senator "that the at
torney general, must represent the
government in the supreme
courtW "Of coursew responded
the general But do you
know that he must there meet
Daniel Webster, Reverdy johnson,
and other leading lawyers?" Ger
tainly. What of that" Nothing,
general except that thy will make 4
fool Of your attorney general. "
The Virginia senator then took his
leave, and the next morning the paper
contained the announcement that Che
president had decided to appoint his
| friend, Mr. Preston, secretary of the
navy, and Reverdy Johnson attorney
general. Rdicule had secured the
desired result.
President Polk called upon Gen.
/ Taylor soon after his arrival at Wash.
/ ington, and invited him and Mr. Fill.
more to dine at the white house, an
/ invitation which was accepted. Gen.
Cass also called to pay his respects to
his successful competitor, and as he
entered the room Gen. Taylor, ad
vanced, grasped his hand, and shook
! it cordially. Gen. Cass, who had not
at first recognized the president-elect,
exclaimed. you had the advantage
OF men' That's true, SAID General
Taylor, but you know the battle is
not always to the strong" That's a
fact. replied Gen. Cass, and then the
two had very friendly chat. just
before Gen Cass left the room, gen
/ lleman introduced himself 10 him, re
marking: Il was on the stump as a
democrat, and in every state in which
l spoke you had a majority My
good friend. said Gen Cass, II am
very much obliged to you, but | wish
you had stumped in two or three states
more.
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated on
Monday, March 5, He was escorted
from Wizards hotel by am imposing
procession, headed by twelve volun-
teer companies. The president-elect
rode in on open carriage, drawn by
four gray horses. and he was joined
. n D.