The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-06-30
SECRETARY ]. W. FOSTER
James G. Blaine's Successor in
the Cabinet.
GREATLY SURPRISED,

Two Hours and Thirty-five Minutes TO
Transform Private Citizen Into secre.
tary of State Sketch of the Distinguished
Diplomats Career.
WASHINGTON, June 80. 1t took hours
and 35 minutes only to transform pri-
vate citizen into Secre tary of State Of
the United States
At l: 40 the President sent to the Sen.
ate the nomination of Mr. j. w. Foster.
At 2:03 the Senate confirmed the nomi-
nation. At 2:36 his commission was
sent to the President, aud he signed it;
at 2:45 it was countersigned by Mr..
Wharton, as Acting Secretary of ate,
and at 4:15 Mr. Foster took the oath of
office of Secretary of State before Mr.
Lewellon Brown, chief clerk and notary
OF the State Department.
1t was the quickest work ever known
&C the State Department.
Senator Allison and Representative
Henderson, OF Iowa, united in saying
the appointee was well equipped for the
position. 'He has been of very great
service about the State Department, 4"
said Representative Henderson, "and a
better qualified man could not have
been chosen ~
Representative Blount, Chairman of
the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
expressed surprise at tue appointment,
because it gave Indiana another Cabinet
appointments. He said, however, that
he regarded the appointment as good
one, as Mr.. Foster was unusually well
equipped in knowledge of matters per-
tanning to the State Department.
Senator Dolph said that to him the
nomination was very satisfactory one
81 have known General Foster for many
years. said he. "He is thoroughly
capable and is intimately acquainted
with diplomatic affairs"
Senator Blackburn expressed similar
views.
There was general satisfaction at the
Capitol over the nomination
The nomination of Mr.. Foster caused
the greatest surprise among Republican
politicians as his name had not been
mentioned except by few, and it was
generally believed that there were to be
some big changes that would give
Depew prominent place.
Hon. John w. Foster has had dip
lomatic career probably unequaled in
American history. Born in Indiana So
years ago, he was educated in the public
schools and graduated from the State
university. He was admitted to the bar
and in connection with his practice of
the law, engaged in newspaper work,
being connected with the Evansville
Tribune
He served in the war of the Rebellion,
and after it's close took prominent
part in the politics of the State
T., 1. IL. 4 AZ
Republican State General Committee,
and in the next year he was appointed
by President Grant Minister to Mexico.
He served successfully as Minister to
Russia and Spain, acquitting himself
with great credit, and winning for his
country q higher regard than it had
previously enjoyed at these courts.
While Mr.. Cleveland was in the presi-
Dental Office he complimented Mr..
Foster by sending him as special envoy
to Spain to negotiate a commercial
treaty in which he was successful, but
the treaty failed of ratification in the
Senate.
When the Mckinley bill made it In
cumbent upon the department to con
summate the reciprocal trade arrange
ments provided for by Section 8, of that
act, Mr.. Foster was placed in charge of
the negotiations.
His selection was vindicated by the
facility and success with which these
arrangements were perfected.
Recently, he has had charge of the
Behrng Sea negotiations and was agent
of the United States to prepare the case
for presentation to the arbiUrators.
Since his retirement from regular dip
lomatic service of the government, Mr..
Foster has acted as counsellor for the
Chinese, Spanish and Mexican legations
in Washington, and his acceptance of
office, it is understood, involved con-
siderable personal financial sacrifice.
Mr.. Foster is a handsome gentleman,
with silver gray hair and flowing side
whiskers, courteous in manner and
pleasant in address He is easy of ac-
cess, and is likely to make popular
official.
He is a member of DIR. Bartlett's Pres
byterian Church, a ruling elder, and
one of the most active members.
He lives in comfortable home on
Street, in this city, filled with souvenirs
of his residence and travel abroad.
His family at home consists only OF q
wife, two daughters being married and
| residents of Watertown, n. Y.