Evening star., 1895-06-08
Secretary of State Olney.

in this connection consideration was given
to the transfer of Secretary Smith to the
Department of Justice, but this and other
transfers were finally abandoned, and the
President concluded that the simplest plan
would be merely to fill the vacancy caused
by Mr.. Oney's promotion. As stated. the
appointment of Judge Judson Harmon of
Cincinnati as Attorney General came in the
nature of surprise.
McsSrs. Carter and Coudert Decline.
There is the best of authority for the
statement that the President had several
other names under consideration, and the
portfolio of justice might have been had
by MIR. James c. Carter of New York, who
was counsel for the government in the
Berng sea arbitration and the income tax
cases, and by Mr.. Frederick r. Coudcrt of
New York had they been disposed to ac-
cept it. Secretary Carlisle knows Judge
Harmon personally and admires and re-
spccts his ability. 1t was he probably who
first presented his name to Mr.. Cleveland
EX-Gov. Campbell of Ohio close friend of
Judge Harmon, also warmly supported him,
and the President secured also from eX-
Gov. Hoadley of Ohio who is now living
in New York, and whose law partner Har-
mon was, a favorable report as to
his ability and standing. After canvassing
the situation thoroughly the President Of
fered the portfolio of justice TO Judge Har-
mon by wire yesterday afternoon. and i'm
announced the appointments.
MIR. Oiney's Fine Record.
Mr.. Richard Olney. who succeeds the late
Judge Gresham Secretary of State,
comes from sturdy Puritan stock. His ;.a-
cestor, Thomas Olney, a native of Eng
land, settled at Salem, Mass. in 1875. The
successive generations took high rank in
New England affairs, one of them being
attorney general of Massachusetts. The
new Secretary of State was one of three
sons. He was graduated from Brown Uni
versity in 1876 and from the Harvard law
school in 1853. He married Agnes, daush-
ter of Judge Benjamin F. Thomas. with
whom he studied law They have lived CT
late years at Boston, with summer home
near Gray Gables, the summer residence
of the President.
Mr.. Olney is a gentleman of fine literary
attainments and tastes. Although a close
student he is lover of outdoor sports,
and is good horseman. an enthusiastic
tennis player and a skillful angler. He is
a man of medium height and robust form,
and in general appearance he conveys the
impression of intense vitality and physical
endurance beyond that of any man who
has occupied the position of Secretary of
State in recent years. His face is strong,
keen and Intellectual Though his manner
is somewhat reserved and austere, he un-
bends readily to the approaches of inti-
mate friends.
Secretary Olney's Politics.
Mr.. Olney has served one term in the
state legislature of Massachusetts, and
was an unsuccessful candidate for the at
torney generalship of that state. Some
years ago he was tendered position upon
the supreme bench of the state, but de-
clired it. He also was prominently men
toned as candidate for the chief Justice
ship of the United States Supreme Court
to succeed Morrison r. Waite In politics
he is an old-time democrat, but he was un-
able to support Butler for governor. He
did not take prominent part in the last
presidential campaign, but rendered sef-
fective service to Mr.. Cleveland in an un-
CbtruSive manner.