The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-05
sketch Of Mr. Oluey.

The Associated Press says, regarding the
prospective Secretary Of State: Richard Oh
ney, who is now in all probability TO be ad-
vanced to the first place in President Cleve-
lands Cabinet has won this distinction by
the able service he has thus far rendered
the President in all the more important
questions that have engaged public atten-
tion since the present administration began.
During the great strike at Chicago Mr.. Oh
ney's services were particularly notable.
He developed each step that the govern
ment authorities took, and President Cleve-
land was SO fully convinced of the wisdom
of the proposed policy that he gave 1t thor
ough support and execution. In this ques-
ton Mr.. Olney was impelled by desire to
suppress disorder. He had SHOWN in an
other case his sincere respect Cor the rights
OF labor. This was in the case of the Read
ing railroad, which sought to compel one of
its employees TO either sever his connection
with a railway beneficial organization or
the companys service Although the gov
ernment had no direct interests in the case
Mr. Olney secured the permission of the
court TO present a brief in behalf of the
employees, in which he held that the pro-
posed action of the company was against
justice and right. The brief was marked
by a vigorous defense of the rights of la
Dor TO organize in any way IT saw fit for adj
vancing its interests. so long as the means
were peaceful and within the law.
The new Secretary of State comes from
sturdy Puritan stock. His ancestor Thomas
OlNey, came from England ana settled at
Salem, Mass, in 1875. The father of Richard
Olney owned and managed the cotton mills
at Oxford and also engaged in banking
from French Huguenots, who fed from
France to this country. The new Secretary
OF State was graduated from Brown Uni
versity. He married Agnes, daughter of
George Benjamin F. Thomas. with whom he
studied law. They have lived of late years
at Boston, with summer homes near Buz-
Yards Bay and Gray Gables. the SIMMER
residence of the President.
Mr.. Oney is a gentleman of fine literary
attainments and tastes. Although a close
student, he is a lover of outdoor sports.
and is a good horseman. an enthusiastic
tennis player and 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 init
mate friends.
Mr.. Olney has served one term in the
State Legislature of Massachusetts, In poll
tics, he is an old-time Democrat. but he
was unable TO support Butler for Governor
He did not take a prominent part in the
last presidential campaign. but rendered
effective service 10 Mr. Cleveland IN an un-
obtrusive manner. AS 4 lawyer Mr. Olney's
er than that of an advocate. He is regarded
as mastery exponent Of the law, relying
on conciseness of expression and clearness
of statement, rather than on purely
rhetorical effort for the success IF lis eff
forts.