New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-16

states senate ought to be statesmen Do you think
Do you think that Cabinet members should be
statesmen
Are you statesmani'
No; / am a lawyer
Did you ever have any experience In handling
great public questionsl'
" r,;r in the state Legislature In Georgia -
Ever in Congress-
Ever in the scnatcl'
Ever held any public offce?T
Yes: am now president Of the Board Of Educa
in the Cabinet which Mr.. Cleveland offered to me this
afternoon
Are you married''
~Ycs: several one is a boy of eight He is
a great athlete
II. hi, name IIoke''
- DO think public Office Is public trust
- agree with Mr.. Cleveland on that point
IIoke smith-the Hoke smith who called on Mr..
Cleveland Yesterday and accepted Cabinet place,
years old. is fully six feet tall and weighs more than
200 pounds His face IS round, clean shavcn and
lie is not 30 iiesly az Colonel Ineerso however.
e generally ia, good nalared expression on All, MS
and if he has any gray hairs they cannot be seen.
Ills complexion although healthy. is not inclined TO
indoor If" lie dresses neatly in black. and Wears
either silk hat derby when In New-York. lie
that style Of hcadwear. lie talks with slight
southern accent and when he wants TO talk he knows
how 10 do IT, Altogether Mr.. Smith s Unlocking
man; and his friends say that he will be feard from
in the Cabinet
The next secretary OF the Interior was born In
North Carolina In 1853. where he received his early
education. lie studied law in North Carolina and in
1876 he moved - Atlanta. Ga, where he began 10
practise law. His father Is Professor II. ii. smith,
wfo som" year; ago was the president Of college s
principal Of the Girls High school Of Atlanta. His
mother who Is also still living was Miss lioke WHO
the daughter OF Judge HoSe. James a. Gmy.
associate counsel for the Mutual Reserve Fund OF
Mr. smith. wlsp tln t. James hotel last even
Ing. said that III" IIokcS we'll known In Georgia.
Alabama and Tennessee.
Mr. smith quite Young when he started ont
TO be LAWYER in Atlanta. but h soon secured an
extensive practice. and today IN" income from his
law business l. estimated to be from 10000 TO
ard In labama anti corporation lawyer. and the
big suits against railroad companies which lie has won
for his clients Numbered I'm the hundreds
Nr. smith married tho daughter OF Howell COBB,
cx- Govsnor ~ G"orra. 70 Confederate general. who
Secretary Of the Treasury under President Pierce
Mrs. IIoke smith is sister Of Mrs Henry jackson.
who II recognized the lender Of society In Atlanta
and MIS- smiths receptions II l. said memorable
occasions In the gia city.
II Is understood that the next Secretary Of IN"
Interior ha, decided Views about conducting certain
affairs In his department. II l. said that he has OK
pressed himself plainly on tho pension business and
the railroad Interests Of the country. lie announced,
arrange the pension lists 10 n certain extent as soon
rs h. assumed conrrol Of tho office. and that the rail
roads would not be permitted to grab land grants
oic.. under his admins lion. II said last
night that Mr.. Smith, friends had been working for
MS appointment since Clcveiand's nomination. His
southern friends. rs the story goes got up petition
10 be presented Mr.. Cleveland and that petition
was signed bv William G.. whitney and Don VI. Dick
insOn. Mr.. smith returned 10 Georgia last night.