Omaha daily bee., 1889-03-06
PRESIDENT HARR1soNs CABINET.

national reputation in politics. Down
TO the administration OF General Grant
IL was the unwrittcn law to constitute
the cabinet OF representative party
leaders, distinguished for their political
services, and we'll known TO the country.
But since that time number OF men
have obtained their first political intro
ductions to the nation through ap point
ment to the cabinet, gaining at one
bound prominence which to their pre-
decessors was the re ward OF years Of
political activity and party service.
The cabinet of President Harrison is a
conspicuous example Of the departure
from the old rule, containing as 1t does
five members who have been almost un-
known beyond state or local politics.
1t may, however, prove to be an ad-
vantage that the cabinet is not COM
posed entirely of political leaders with
an army of followers to reward. The
country may reasonably expect more
careful and moro honest administration
OF public affairs from men who have few
political debts to pay, and who will be
from politicians burdeued with obliga-
tions and aspiring to higher honors.
The selection of Mr.. Blaine as secre-
tary OF state was very generally recog-
nized as an inevitable result of republi-
can success. 1t was universally con-
ceded that he had contributed more
largely than any other man to that re-
suit, and it would have been eXtraordi-
nary ingratitude not to have rendered
him the. first place in the cabinet.
There is every reason to believe that
President Harrison not only fully appre-
ciatcd his obligation in this respect.
but that he most heartily desired to con-
meet Mr.. Blaine with his administration.
The apprehension that existed eight
years ago OF possible dan
gers and complications from the
conduct of our foreign relations under
Mr.. Blaine do not prevail now to any
extent. The country has reached the
conviction that firmer and more dig
nified foreign policy is needed. and it
looks for this from the new admiuistra-
ton without any fear OF serious conse-
quences. A calm, just and considerate
insistence upon our international rights
should not imperil our peace, but even
at the hazard of doing so we cannot af-
ford to abandon our rights. Mr.. Blaine
can be trusted to conserve these under
all circumstances, and he will have op-
portunities to round out his public ca
reer with honor to his country and to
himself.
Mr.. Window was not the first choice
of President Harrison for secretary of
the treasury, but after Senator Allison
declined the position he was urged as
the most available man to represent the
west in the financial department of the
government. His capacity and fitness
had been recognized by Garfield, him
self one of the best informed men in the
country on financial affairs, and during
the brief time that Mr.. Window was
at the head of the treasury he
justified the confidence that had
been reposed in him. He will
undoubtedly administar the finances
of the government carefully, conserva-
lively, and with reference to the best
interests of the country, pursuing us
nearly as circumstances will allow the
lines of his republican predecessors.
There is no department of the gov
ernment more important than the in
terror, and the selection of General
Noble, of Missouri. for that position is
likely to prove eminently judicious.
He is SAID to be very thorough lawyer,
and an honest, resolute, courageous man.
All of these qualifications are needed
in the head Of this department. From
what is said of the new secre-
tary of the interior the country
may reasonably. hope for great
improvement in the administration of
that department.
Ex-Governor Proctor, of Vermont,
brings as much intelligence of military
affairs to the administration OF the war
department as was possessed by his pre-
decessor, and may be expected to give
more careful attention to its duties,
while avoiding innovations which only
serve to create contentious without ad.
vancing the good of the service.
The navy department has grown in inn
portance and will continue to grow. The
new administration is committed to the
policy already entered upon of building
up navy that can be relied upon for ma
tional defense, and the next congress
will undoubtedly provide generously for
this purpose. The new secretary OF tho
navy, General Tracy, of New York, is
in full sympathy with this
policy and may be expected to apply
himself actively and intelligently in
carrying it out. The selection of Cen
eral Tracy is understood to have been a
OF the factional controversy
in that state which made the choice of
either Miller or Platt inexpedient, and
it will doubtless prove to have been
fortunate selection.
The postotfice department requires
a man OF practical experience,
used to business details and Mr..
John Waunamaker is such man. He
should be able TO put this department
on n thorough business basis and greatly
improve the service.
The appointment of w. H. H. Mil
ler, for ten years the law part