New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-25
COLONEL LAMONT'S SUCCESSOR
A SKETCH OF MIR. E. w. HALFORD.
THE LIFE AND TRAINING OF GENERAL HARRI
SONS NEW PRIVATE SECRETARY.

THE LIFE AND TRAINING OF GENERAL HARRI-
SONS NEW PRIVATE SECRETARY.
indianapolis, Nov. "a (specaD.-Eljah W. Halford.
who has been appointed private secretary By Pres-
dent-elect Harrison, is in every way qualified
BY training association and bent of mind to fill the
place soon to be vacated by Daniel Lamont. 1t has
almost passed into a proverb during the incumbency
Of the discreet and interchangeable Colonel that little
man makes the best private secretary. So far as
stature goes the coming is very nearly counter
part of the retiring Presidential Fdus Achates There
is the restless activity which marks the born
managing editor Although the faces differ the rival
secretaries might sustain the conception of The TWO
Dromios with credit to the city of Albany and dis
tincton to the city Of indianapolis. 1t is an open
secret that Colonel Lamonts fine knowledge Of men
and measures, his Intimate acquaintance with state ana
National politics, and his almost feminine ability IN
dlssectng human character and motives, have stored
the unwielhy and stubborn President through many
breakers and kept him from dashing his head against
many rocks He is the first man who has elevated the
Presidential private secretaryship to the dignity of
power power almost equal TO, II not In certain in
stances higher than, that Of Cabinet Minister Prcsi
dent Cleveland might have survived without Cabinet
He could not have gotten along without Colonel La
mont
An easier task than that which fell TO the lot Of
the clever little NewYorker awaits, no doubt, the
Harrison is cool man, of clear and wel-formed
convictions he possesses quite much back one
as the r-trng head Of the Nation, but he carries bet.
ter Judgment whereby to keep it IN place. He is
man of lnole intuitive refinement and will attract
rather than repel the of his party whose counsel
is valuable and whose friendship is precious gift, TO
be desired AID cherished He Will hold to dogma
which has been proved to his logical understanding
to be fallacious. He will prove all things and hold
fast to that which is good. 1t Will be his private
secretary's pleasing duty to act Aduant General,
and to carry the orders of his well balanced chief
To do so with judgment, with trained ability and with
faithfuness. no man in the United states Is bet'cr
qualified than MIR. Halford Brought up from boy
hood in newspaper office, and that Office in Indian
apolis Mr. Halford has been trained to rapidly and
exactness of action and to thorougbness and finish
in execution lie has exhibited during his newspaper
career genius politics In every branch Of news
paper work he has displayed remarkable powers Oh
assimilation and adaptablty.
When, shortly after the great Chicago fire, Mr.
Jonathan Y. Scammon made the dry bones OF Inc
morbund Republican, of that city live, and named
It "Tbe Inter ocean, Mr. E. W. Halford was the
man chosen to be its editor To be picked out from
among many hundreds of bright young journalists
by man OF Mr.. scammon's profound
learning and uncrring judgment was
high compliment and Mr. Halfofd showed himself In
every way worthy OF the trust Under his able man.
agement the paper gained its feet. A"e tlme Was
yet ripe for an organ Of the tore assumed by The
Inter Ocean," but MI Haford made It's way straight
1t was not then ard never has been until recently,
financial success. but IT was in many respects
better paper during Mr. Halfords administration than
IL has ever been since. Mr. Halford rrtvr ed to his
old position in Indianapolis when Mr.. Flank Palmer
afterward postmaster of Chicago who had purchased
interest in the concern. took charge and there he
has remained since. The indianapolis Journal
has been noted under his careful management for Us
fearless Republcansm, It's honesty of purpose, lis
purity of tone. and its admirable taste. 1t holds
high rank of the best balanced papers in the
country
Mr.. Halford will bring to the performance Of his |
new duties the training of many years. He is man
in the prime of life. his age being somewhere among |
he forbes. lie is a pillar In the Methodist Church. !
and man noted for his charitable and kindly dspos
ion His wife is a great favorite I'm Indian pOlis |
he is bright CHEEKY little woman OF winning manners
md sunny disposition. Her accom- lishmen's |
various, but her social fame principally rests apon
ler musical attanments which great. Altogether
Presidentelect Is be congratulated upon having
made admirable choice in his appointment OF Mr. |
llafoid to the important Office of plivaIe secretary.