The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-11-05
Newly Appointed Postmaster General.

Frank Hatton, from October %, 1881,
to October IA, 1884, first assistant post
master general, was, on the second of
these dates, given the commission which
promoted him to the head of the de-
partment. He was made d cabinet
minister, and his salary raised from
four thousand dollars a year to double
that mount.
When Mr.. Hatton took the oath of
office his only son, a bright little follow,
stood by his side, and he was the first
person to shake hands with the newly
made minister. Tue oath Of office was
administered by Judge Lawernson, who
has sworn in twenty-five postmaster
generals, and has been connected with
the department for more than half a
century.
The man now at the head of the mail
service performed by the Federal GOV
rnmen of the United States, though
young in years, is thoroughly expert
enced in the matter which he superin-
tends. Before taking his first appoint
ment in Washington he was postmaster
at Burlington, Iowa, the place of his
residence. His promotion to his pre-
sent prominence is satisfactory to that
large number of citizens who insist that
appointments to positions requiring
special knowledge and aptitudes should
always be given to those persons who
have demonstrated the appropriate abil-
ity. That Mr.. Hatton will make an
efficient postmaster general there can be
no doubt.
He is a native Of the state of Ohio,
and was born at Cadiz, in the year 1845.
His father was a journalist and printer,
and when Frank left school he was
placed in the paternal office, where he
learned to set type and all that could be
learned in the place Of publication Of a
country newspaper. The war stirred
his patriotism. He enlisted in the
Union cause and made a good soldier.
With the resumption of civil life he
joined his father at Cadiz, and worked
as local editor on the newspaper owned
by him. When this property passed
into other hands, and the family re-
moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Frank
continued to assist his father in the pro-
duction of the newspaper which he
owned in that place, and inherited the
property and the responsibilities Of
editorial management upon the death of
that gentleman. He made money, and
in 1874 was able to purchase a half in
terest in the Burlington Hawkeye. This
o led to possession of the whole.
and gave him the opportunity which,
industriously utilized, made him emil
nent as a journalist Throughout the
country. His editorial articles were
written from the republican stand point
with singular force and ability, and
hence was widely copied. Combined
with this superior literary endowment
Mr.. Hatton evidenced business talent of
a high order. His appointment as
postmaster at Burlington was the first
practical recognition of. the value Of his
services to the republican party, and
was followed by his being given an
official position in Washington, from
which he rose to the distinction he now
enjoys,
He is a lively, witty man, and his
presence at cabinet meetings will serve
to enliven them. Postmaster General
Hatton's career is an encouragement to
young men who are willing to gain the
qualifications deserving public reward
and honor.