Omaha daily bee., 1893-02-24
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The course adopted by Mr.. Cleveland
Of announcing the men selected for cab
met portfolios as soon Us they had ac.
cepted was departure from the trndi
tional custom which has met with very
general commendation. Perhaps IL Is
not very important matter anyway, but
as the presldent-elect very we'll said
there is no reason why there should be
any mystery about cabinet appoint
ments, any more than about those Of
other government officials. The an
nouncement OF the men selected t)
administer the several departments of
the government in advance of the
submission of their names to the senate
for confirmation has the merit of af-
fording the public an opportunity to
discuss them, and the country can also
form a judgment as to the character of
the administration to be expected. The
course of Mr.. Cleveland has enabled
this to be done, and so far as appears
there is general popular approval of
the innovation. That being the case it
is to be expected that future presidents
CleCI Will lOllOW Jne example.
Mr.. Cleveland announced some time
ago that he proposed to give the c)un-
try a business mems administration.
Yet every member of his cabinet but
one is "a lawyer, and that one Colonel
Lamont, who has within u few years
shown considerable ability in practical
affairs, will, as secretary of war, find
little opportunity for the exercise of his
business talent. The Postoflice depart
ment, which perhaps demands greater
amount of real business ability than any
other, ,'will be administered by Mr.. Bis
sell, formerly the law partner of Mr..
Cleveland, who is not known to have any
especial knowledge of postal af-
fairs. The department of which MIR.
Hoke Smith will be the head calls
for both legal and practical judg-
ment, and that gentleman may
have both, though his reputation
is altogether that of good lawyer, who
has been quite successful in fighting
corporations and is expected to vigilantly
guard the interests of the government
in its relations to the land grant rail
roads, which is to be desired Mr. Nor
ton has some practical ideas regarding
agriculture, and so far as he may have
an opportunity to put them into effect
will doubtless make a useful member of
the new administration.
Mr.. Cleveland mas shown some of his
characteristic qualities in making
up his cabinet. The selection of Judge
Gresham for secretary of state was un-
doubtedly self-suggested and done with q
full realization of the effect it would
produce upon the democratic leaders.
A few of these have been outspoken in
condemnation of the selection, and very
likely this feeling is quite general
among them, but Judge Gresham will
be confirmed and will creditably fill the
position. The appointments of Lamont
and Bissell were largely on personal
grounds, Mr.. Cleveland having the
heartiest friendship for both of them.
One of the very best selections is that of
Representative Herbert of Alabama for
secretary of the navy. He is not only
| entirely familiar with the needs of
the navy, but is in sympathy
with the sentiment in favor of
building up naval establish
ment equal to the requirements for de-
Tense and the adequate protection of our
commerce. There is every reason to
expect that he will be very efficient
head of that department AS a whole
the Cleveland cabinet, if not of excep-
tional strength, is composed of men of
ability and character, and it is safe to
predict that it will bring no discredit
upon the country.