The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-05
And William !. Trenholm, of South Carolina,
for the Position Made Vacant by the
Resignation of John NJ Gregory.
Major Burke's Plan for Bringing About
Reconciliation of the Sections.
Democrats the Only People Who Can Afford
to Indulge in Offensive Partisanship-
Rich Men in Political Life.
THE NEW COMMISSION.
Mr.. Edgerton In Place of Mr. Eaton, and Mr
Trenholm for the Gregory Vacancy.

Mr.. Edgerton in Place of Mr.. Eaton, and Mr..
Trenholm for the Gregory Vacancy.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Nov 4-The President to-day
appointed Alfred P. Edgerton, of Fort Wayne,
Ind, civil-service commissioner, in place of
Dorman B. Eaton. resigned, and William |.
Trenholm. of Charleston, S. c., in the place Of
John NJ Gregory, resigned
The appointment of the new commissioners
was not publicly announced until late tonight.
although it was made known to few at the
White House before o'clock. Judge Edgerton
did not learn.o it until nearly 10 o'clock. He
said he expected it, but not before tomorrow.
He was called upon and congratulated by large
number of citizens at a late hour and seemed
very much gratfed over his success Among
his callers were Assistant Postmaster general
Stevenson, of Illinois, and Representative Hill,
of Ohio, two of the most noted spoilsmen and
opponents of civil-service reform in public life.
1t is understood that Dorman B. Eaton will be
retained on the Commission. at least for some
time.
Mr.. Edgerton was born on the 11th of Janu-
ary, 1913, at Plattsburg; n. Y. He was, in early
life, a clerk in a mercantile house in New York
city, but while still young man removed to
northern Ohio as the agent of the Northern
Land Company. He then served four years in
Congress as Democrat and was the financial
agent of the State of Ohio. with Office in New
York city. In 1858 he moved to Indiana, and in
1868 was the Democratic candidate for Lieuten-
ant Governor, Vice President Hendricks being
the candidate for Governor They were both
defeated. In 1872 he was nominated by the
straght-out Democrats for Governor, but de-
clined to make the race. For fifteen years he
has been unanimously elected by the common
council of Fort Wayne as the president Of the
board of education of that city, and
by appointment of Ex-Governor Porter is
a director of Purdue University. He has
been engaged in many successful business enter
prises, and is in easy circumstances, and is
practical student of public affairs. He was for
many years an intimate friend and associate of
Chief-justice Waite, who together with Senator
H. B. Payne Governor Gray, of Indiana. Vice
of Ohio and Indiana, warmly indorsed him as
possessing qualities peculiarly fitting him for the
work of the Civil-service Commission, with
which he is in full sympathy
Mr. Trenholm is commission merchant.
about fifty years of age, and was warmly in
dorsed for the appointment by leading friends Of
the civil-service reform movement North and
South. He is a son of Secretary Trenholm, of
the Treasury of the Southern Confederacv. Mr..
Trenholm has always been Democrat.
The resignation of DR.. Gregory, as member
of the Civil-service Commission, was accepted by
the President, to take effect on the appointment
of his successor, but it is probable that he will
remain in Office until Mr. Trenholm is ready to
take his place Mr. Edgerton, who succeeds
Mr.. Eaton, has not yet been officially notified of
his appointment. He will not be able to enter
upon the discharge of the duties of the office for
at least two weeks vet