The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-07
Col. JOHN w. F. s1FR

question which led to his appointment short
time ago as the agent of the United States
to prepare and conduct the case for our Gov.
eminent before the arbitration tribunal This
fact it was thought, would prevent Col Fosters
appointment as Secretary of State, "a the time
is limited, the case having to be prepared by
Sept Z, but the President considered the
question fully and decided that Col. Foster
could continue to act as agent in addition to
performing his regular duties as Secretary of
State. Col. Foster was also an assistant to
Secretary Blaine in his negotiations on the
subject of trade relations between Canada and
this country, and he and Secretary Blaine
were in entire accord Oh the question, not
withstanding the reports to the contrary
which have been in circulation.
Col. Foster has every reason to feel compIi-
mented over his immediate confirmation
which permitted him to assume the duties of
his office in a few hours after his nomination,
which has never been done before except in
cases of emergency. When the President was
informed of the confirmation he directed the
commission to be made out at once, signed it.
and when Col. Foster called on him to thank
him at o'clock, it was handed to him. He
Immediately repaired to the State Department
was sworn in, received the heads of bureaus
with all of whom he had personal acquaintance,
and signed some official mail before the office
closed for the day.
1t is rather unusual to have two Cabinet Off
GERS from the same State, Attorney General
Miller already being in the Cabinet from Indi-
ana, but MIR. Cleveland had two from New York
in his Cabinet, in the persons of Secretary of
the Treasury Manning and Secretary Of the
Navy Whitney. It Is thought the appointment
of Col. Foster is an indication that Gen. Miller
will shortly leave the Cabinet for the Supreme
Bench.
John w. Foster was born in Pike County
Ind, March 9. 1886. and was graduated at the
Indiana State University in 1855. After spend
ing year at the Harvard Law School he was
admitted to the bar, and began the practice Of
law at Evansville. He entered the service as
Major Of the 18th Ind, Aug. 8, 1861, which
position he held until A pril 30, 1852, when he
promoted Lieutenant Colonel of that regi-
ment, serving in that capacity until Aug A,
1862, when he was promoted Colonel of the
65th Ind. He commanded this regiment until
March II, 1864, when he became disabled and
resigned his commission. After a couple of
months at home, and regaining his health to
some extent he raised the both Ind. (100-days
mem, May q, 1854, aud commanded this regi-
ment until it was mustered out of service in
August, 1864. During his entire war service
he was connected with tho Western armies.
After the war he became editor of the Evans
vile Daily Journal, and in 1859 was appointed
Postmaster of that city. He was sent as United
States Minister to Mexico by President Grant
in 1873. and was reappointed by President
Hayes in 1880. In March of that year he was
transferred to Russia, and held that mission
until November, 1881, when he resigned to at
tend to private business. On his return to
this country Col. Foster established himself in
practice in international cases in Washington,
acting as counsel for foreign legations before
courts of commissions. in arbitration. etc.
President Arthur appointed him Minister to
Spain, and he served from February, 1883, to
March, 1885, when he resigned and returned to
the United States, having negotiated all i'm
portant commercial treaty with the Spanish
Government. This treaty elected general dis
eussiOn, and was strongly opposed in the Sem
ate That body failed to confirm il, and it was
afterward withdrawn by President Cleveland
for reconsideration. Some weeks later. Gen.
Foster was instructed to return to Spain to
reopen negotiations for q modified treaty. This
mission was unsuccessful, and Mr.. Foster re-
manned abroad but few months.
Upon his return from Spain, in 1885, Gen.
Foster resumed the practice of his profession
in Washington and did not again enter the
Government service until November, 1880,
when he was engaged as special agent of the
State Department to assist the President and
Secretary Blaine in the negotiation of reel.
procity treaties under the terms of the Mckin-
ley law, which went into effect the month
previous. He applied himself assiduously to
this work and was particularly successful. |
Treaties eminently satisfactory to this Gov
eminent were concluded with ~ foreign coun- |
tries. including France, Germany Austria aud |
Spain, and with all the South American coun- |
tries excepting Venezuela and Colombia.
Negotiations are still in progress with the !
two last-named countries, with reasonable |
of final agreement. All the details |
of these treaties were personally arranged by |
COL Foster under the direct supervision Of |
Secretary Blaine, aud to him is due goodly |
share of the credit for their successful conclu-
sion.