The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-24
MP. oLEYELAED,s CABINET.

Mr.. Cleveland's Cabinet, as completed
and announced. shows at glance that
it is his own work. 1t is probable that
IL the truth were known it would show
that outside suggestions and influence
had little or nothing to do in its forma-
ton. Mr.. Cleveland may have sought
information concerning the men Sc
lected in order to satisfy himself that he
WAS not making mistake, or. in other
words. TO confirm his own Judgment,
but they are evidently his own selec-
tions.
1t is a respectable Cabinet, but not
particularly strong one. If Judge
Gresham proves no more loyal Demo-
crat than he has been Republican he
will not bring much harmony into the
Cabinet. He is by disposition and
temperament untitled for the class of
duties devolved on the Secretary Of
State, and he can hardly fail to be more
or less embarrassed by his lifetime rec
ord as a Republican and by the general
belief that his appointment is the result
of political dicker.
Mr.. Carlisle is the strongest man in
the Cabinet. unless some one of the
comparatively unknown members shall
develop unexpected strength. The two
members from New York, Lamont and
Bissell. are purely personal appoint
ments. They are attached to Mr.. Cleve-
land by personal as we'll as political
ties, and their appointment doubtless
means that he intends to lock horns
with the Democratic machine in New
York. Aside from their personal fidel-
ity TO Mr.. Cleveland, they do not add to
has never had any experience in public
affairs, and as an executive officer is
entirely untried. The Post0fiice De-
partment. which he is to administer, is
vast machine of infinite detail. and
very intimately related to the business
interests of the country. 1t remains to
be seen whether Mr.. Cleveland's former
law partner will prove equal to it. Mr..
Hoke Smith, of Georgia, who is to adj
minister another very important de-
partment. the Interior, is also new and
untried man. His appointment is as
much purely personal one as that Of
Lam ont and Bissell. Like the latter, he
is entirely inexperienced in public af-
fairs, and nobody knows whether he
possesses any executive ability or not.
j. Sterling Morton, of Nebraska, who
goes in as Secretary of Agriculture, to
represent the Northwest, is a man of
fair ability and unimpea enable Democ-
racy, but, like most of the rest, his ex-
ecutive ability is an unknown quantity.
The appointment of Hon. FL. A. Her.
bert. of Alabama, as Secretary of the
Navy is good one. He has been chair
man of the House committee on naval
affairs several years, is thoroughly well
versed in matters pertaining to the
navy, and is liberal and progressive in
his ideas. He is in full sympathy with
the policy of strengthening the navy on
the lines followed during the present
administration. He also believes in en-
couraging and developing American in
dustries by placing only American en-
glnes, machinery, armOr and armament
| in our naval vessels. In his last report
on naval affairs he called attention to
the fact that American shipyards have
demonstrated their ability TO produce
vessels of the highest type of excellence
| as quickly as can be done in Europe,
| and he declares that in consequence of
| the policy of developing naval indus
tries Mt home the price of materials has
been steadily reduced, and the cost of a
| completed ship. excluding armor, has
gone down 80 per cent. Mr.. Herbert
will make a good Secretary of the Navy.
| Mr.. Richard Olney, of Boston, who
will be Attorney general, is unknown
in this part of the country, but is said
to be a first-rate lawyer. If he needs
assistant counsel he can call in the other
members of the Cabinet, as they are all
| lawyers except Lamont