Connecticut western news., 1895-05-30

vailed upon to accept the United States district judgeship for Indiana. Until April. 1883, he held this position witt honor to himself and satisfaction 10 liti gants.
 While on the bonch he took no active part in politics, but his character and rep utation were known to other leading men of the country. 1t consequently happened that when Garfield was forming his cab. inet Gresham's name was among those originally agreed upon. Blaine particu. larly urged his selection. The situation became such, however, that Garfield waA compelled to modify his original intention, and Gresham was not invited to accept a portfolio. Garfield was assassinated, and Arthur succeeded him.
 When Postmaster General Howe died in April 1883, Gresham, then holding court at Evansville was rendered the cab met position by telegraph and accepted. Near the close of Arthur term, on the death of Secretary Folgor he was appoint. cd secretary of the treasury, position he held until October, 1884 when he with. drew from the cabinet altogether.
 During his cabinet service. though one of the youngest, he was one of Arthur's most trusted advisers. His judicial qual- ity of mind, his sense of fairness and bis even temper made him a valuable ooad- tutor In December. 1884, Judgo Drum mond having retired from tho office of United States circuit judge, President Ar thur, who had taken him from the bench. had the satisfaction of restoring him tc the bench at the closo of his service.
 As Presidential Candidate.
 In 1888 Judge Gresham was made a prominent candidate for tho Republican nomination for the presidency at the Chi. cago convention against Harrison. Sher. man, Alger Allison and the other Repub lican leaders whose names wero presented. Harrison ultimately captured the Indiana delegation, however, and was nominated.
 When the Republicans assumed power and revised the tariff by the passage of tle Mckinley law, Judge Gresham, with oth. CT Republicans, openly dissentcd. and in 1892, after the nomination of Mir. Cleve. land by the Democrats, he, with other dis tinguished Republicans like Wayno Mac. Neagh, who was attorney general under Arthur, renounced thelr allegiance to the Republican party and advocated Mir. Cleve. lands election. After NIT. Cleveland was elected in February, 1898. he summoned Judge Gresham to Lakewood N. l., where, after consultation, he tendored him the position of premier of the cabinet he was forming. Judge Gresham accepted and as stunned the duties of secretary of state on March T, 1893.
 During his short term as postmaster general Gresham accomplished much. From he dny he set foot in the office he evinced those qualities of application and masterfulness which have always charao- torized his public labors. The reduction of postage on letters from 3 cents to cents and tho increase of weight allowable from half an ounce to an ounce were the crown ing glory of his administration. Under hls administration the foreign postal serv. ice was also groatly improved. Letter postage to Canada was reduced, and the postal convention with Mexico was signed. Another important service he rendered to the country was tho re-establishment oi tho fast mail.
 As secretary of state in the present ad- ministration Gresham has had to deal with perhaps moro vexatious, Intricate and delicate diplomatic affairs than has fallen 10 tho share of most secretaries of state. His treatment of these was marked by the strong Individuality which was part of the man.
 Perhaps from his long judicial export ence he was disposed to view every qucs- tion from the standpoint of exact and equal justice.
 Broken Down by Hard Work.
 The secretary was a very hard worker. He was thorough in all things and insist ed upon reading up every aspect of case which came before him. This involved long hours spent in study of musty manu- scripts and authorities in the late hours of the night at his rooms. coming after a do fnll of {,n a,I diplomatic fencing with the ablest of the diplomatic corps, and it is now clear that Secretary Gresham was brought to his last illness by the exertions he was ohlig ed to put forth to discharge his official duties to his own satisfaction.
 During his career on the bench Judge Gresham heard and decided many noto- worthy cases, many of his decisions illus trating In remarkable degree his fear lessness, imrartially and judicial firm ness. His greatest decision was in the Wabash case. when he went beneath tho teohnicalities and put all the lines of the system under @ receiver, thus giving Jay Gould direct blow. His predominating trait was honesty of purpose. and he al- ways brushed nside the technicalities and considered the equity of every cause
 Gresham was a man of action more
 
 wide reading. He possessed a thorough and minute knowledge of the history of the government and the country, of tho various measures of Inc various admins trntions, of the great debates and the mon who shaped and influenced legislation in their way, many of whom are now forgot ton. He understood the relation of his country to foreign nations thoroughly, and as secretary of state he sought to ap- ply the principles of justice to ointernational controversies as he would from the bench to individuals
 In appearance Gresham was somewhat s,endor-in youth remarkably so-6 feet tall, his black beard and hair turned to an iron gray. His eyes were hazel, full and largo. with tho power Ito thrraten and command,' but soft and amiahle in familiar conversation. His voice was pleasing and consorted well with his Ina bitual demeanor which was quiet and modest. AS man he was kind, generous and frank. He was sociable and approach able. 1t was in his home life that ho was most to he admired.
 In 1858 he married Miss Matilda Mo Grain. tho daughter of Thomas Mctirain, n man of Scotch Irish descent. A son and a daughter were born to them, who live in Chicago. He was devoted to wife and children This side of his life the public knew nothing of. but 1t furnishes the hcss key to his nature and character.
 In the glare of the public footlights tin sol and glitter pass for gold. It Is in the soft glow of the fireside that the heart Is revealed.
 Funeral Services at the White House.
 WASHINGTON. May 2o.-The funeral train bearing the remains of tho late Sec retary of State Walter Q. Gresham has started on its way to Chicago. On the train are President Cleveland and the sev- en remaining cabinet officers, Mrs. Gresh- am and other members of tho family, be sides several government officials.
 This morning tho body was conveyed tc tho Whito House from tho Arlington and placed in tho cast room, where services were conducted by Bishop Hurst of the