New-York tribune., 1889-12-31
THE UNITED STATES.
POLITICAL EVENTS.


The political revolution decrecd by the people
in 1855 has been completed in 1889. A Repuo-
lican President again fills the chair OF Lincoln
and of Grant, and with fitting dignity upheld the
cause of free government when the Centcnh@'
anniversary of WashingtOns Inauguration was
celebrated Republican Speaker presides IN
the House, aud has formed committees which are
not mcmento of disloyal sectionalism Re-
publican Vice-President presides in the Senate
and Republican heads of departments administer
the affairs of the Nation at home and abroad
The verdict which President Cleveland asked
upon the principles and purposes OF his party
has been carried into effect by the exclusion OF
that Marty from power in every branch of the
government. No other change so complete ana
significant has taken place in the government for
MANY wears, for when Mr.. Cleveland was elected
his PARTY only held the House by reduced
majority and failed 10 secure the Senate. and
when Mr.. Lincoln succeeded Mr.. Buchanan twenty
EIGHT years ago Republicans came into control
of the Government only through the secession OF
many Senator's and Representatives.
The year opened with some disquetudc because
official returns had been improperly kept back,
apparently in pursuance of plan to seize control
of the House by high-handed acts Of lawlesSnesS
The Senate also, it was feared, might be equally
divided because of 1agrant wrongs in a few OF
the States But the election Of Mr.. Higgins,
Republican Senator from Delaware, within the
first two weeks of the year, put an end to hopes
of breaking Republican control in the upper house
Though many Representatives received Democratic
certificates who did not appear TO have been
elected, the attempt to capture that body was
at last abandoned. But the assassination OF MI
Clayton in Arkansas early in February, wmie try
ing to uncover fraudulent return, subsequent
assassinatiOns in July to conceal the same crime
and the delay of fraudulent West Virginia ccrtlA-
Gates until after March ], showed how persistent
and desperate were those who attempted to re-
verse the will of the people. The deep impression
produced has led TO agitation for ballot reform
in many of the States. The bill offered early in
New-York, and passed in April, was defeated by
a veto May g. New-Jersey bill, also offered
early. was killed after it had passed one house.
An Illinois bill was passed on May -, and n
Connecticut bill passed the same day was vetoed
ON June s. but with notifications passed again
on June 2l. and worked admirably in the fail
elections as did the Massachusetts law of earlier
date
The political revolution might not have been
completed without difficulty had not the addi-
ton of four new States been assured early IN the
year. The bill providing for admission passed
on February 81, and the election of constitutional
conventions on May IA resulted in expected Re
publican victories in the two DaSotas and wash
ington, but in Montana a close vote gave the
Democrats an advantage AT the State elections
in October the Republicans secured full control,
with Senators, Representatives and Legislatures.
except in Montana, where extensive frauds were
discovered in some localities controlled by Dem
ocratic managers At the Official canvass one
precinct was thrown out, thus giving the Repub
licans majority in the Legislature, bat the de-
cision was disputed in the courts. prolonged
deadlock has followed, the Republicans having
organized the Senate, while the Governor recOG-
nizes only the Democratic House, and two sets
of Senators will probably ask admission. Tie
four States were formally admitted TO the Union
by Presidential proclamation North and South
Dakota, November . Montana November s. and
Washington. November II.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATIONS.
General Harrison was duly chosen President by
The electoral college in February and inaugurated
on March A. His address was received with salts
faction by Americans of all shadc5 Of opinion
but caused some irritation in England. The new
Cabinet was announced the next day. Mr.. James
G. Blaine had been invited before the year began
10 FIJI the POST Of Secretary Of State, rs in the
Administration of President Garfield. The Hon
William Window, whose remarkable success as
Secretary of the Treasury in the same Adninistra-
tion was remembered. was chosen for that im
portant post The Hon. Redfeld Proctor, OF
Vermont was appointed Secretary of War: John
Wahamaker, OF Pennsylvania, Postmaster-Gen-
eral; w. II. II. Miller, of Indiana. Attorney-Gen-
erai the Hon b. F. Tracy, of New-YOrk, Secrc-
1ary of the Navy: General John W. Noble. of
Secretary of the Interior and for the
first time Secretary of Agriculture was appointed
to organize the new Department. in the person Of
The Hon. J. NJ. Rusk of Wisconsin The selec-
lions were regarded with especial favor as Justly
-epresenting, geographically and in opinions, the
,arty TO which the people had entrusted power.
The Presidents selections for the chief diplomatic
,fYices were sent TO the Senate in March, and
approved, excepting that the nomina-
ion Of Mr. Hastead as Minister 10 Berlin was re-
ected.
The choice of subordinate officials for depart
nents and bureaus proceeded with promptness
nd more than ordinary satisfaction, and 1t was
cen that the President took great Gaze 10 avoid
Mistakes, while in some conspicuous instances
ersons of ideal fitness were chosen. Among
hem may be named Mr. Roosevelt as ClVil Ser
ice Commissioner; Mr.. Leech, long the most ac-
,mplished assistant in the Mint as director; ana
yofessor w. r. Harris as Commissioner OF Edu-
,tion. The selections for members OF the
smoan conference were quickly Justified by their
,ccess The conference met at tcr1in on 4priI
}. completed a settlement satisfactory to Ameri-
IN interests on May 29. and upon his return the
on. w. w. Phelps. Of the Commission, was APP
,inted Minister TO Germany. The death OF
,stice Matthews, of the Supreme Court on
arch 22, obliged the President 10 select Il snc-
ssor, aud Judge Brewer was appointed on De- |
nber 4 and confirmed on December iS. Among |
host Of other appointments made during the
- s@ l.a fairl,, said that sea rcply has