Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-08
MMY IS PROMOTED.
rendered tho Position Made Vacant
by Secretary Gresham's Death.
Judson Harmon of Ohio For
Attorney-General.


WASHINGTON, June S.-The president
Late yesterday afternoon announced tn,
following cabinet appointments: Fol
secretary Of state, Richard J. Olney o.
Massachusetts,; for attorney general, Jud
SON Harmon of Cincinnati.
The president at ono time contemplated
other changes In his cabinet and 10
arrangoment Of several of the portfolios
and 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 I'LL the
vacancy caused by Mr.. Olney's promotion.
Mr.. Olnsy comes from one Of the oldest
New England families. The first of the
family to como from England was
Thomas Olney, who settled In Massachu-
setts In 1886. He was q friend Of Roger
Williams, and with Williams was one Of
the founders of Providence plantations. I"
Mr.. Olney was born in 1885 In Oxford,
Mass, and graduated from Brown uni
vsrsity In 1855, and from the Harvard law
school two years later. He began the
practice Of his profession with Judge B.
y. Thomas, . descendant of Isaiah
Thomas, the publisher Of the "Old Thomas
Almanac" and founder of the Worcester
Spy. In 1891 Mr.. Olney married Judge
Thomas daughter, thus uniting two of
the Oldest families of New England.
For years Mr.. Olney has been regarded
as one of the ablest and most learned
lawyers In his state. Twice he has been
offered place on the supreme bench OF
Massachusetts, and declined.
Politically Mr.. Olney has always been q
Democrat. In late years his Judgment has
been sought after In matters of public and
party policy by the young men who have
become prominent in the Democratic party
Of Massachusetts,.
In 1874 he was elected q representative
In the Legislature from Roxbury. In 1876,
when the Democratic party was so anxious
to nominate strong ticket to add to the
strength OF Tlden, Mr.. Olney was It's can
didate for attorney general. When Presi.
dsnt Cleveland made up his cabinet in
1889 he selected Mr. Olney for the head of
the judiciary department.
A Surprise.
The appointment of Judge Judson Har-
mon OF Cincinnati as attorney general
came In the nature of a surprise. His
name had not even been canvassed as
among the probabilities. There Is the best
authority for the statement that the presi.
dent had several men under consideration,
ana the portfolio OF justice might have
been had by James G. Carter Of New York,
who was counsel for the government In
she Behring sea arbitration and the income
tax cases, and by Frederic h. Coudert of
New York, had they been disposed to 40
cept 1t.
Judge Harmon Is not only recognized
rs one OF the foremost lawyers and justices
OF Ohio, but rs one OF the most popular
cltizens. He was born near Cincinnati |
10 years ago, and has always lived in Gin |
'innati. His father, Rev. b. r. Harmon,
was Baptist minister, well known |
throughout the Ohio valley.
Judge Harmon graduated at Dennison |
Baptist institute. at Gran /
'ille, o., in 1865, and began the practice of |
aw In Cincinnati in 1869. He was a Re- |
publican till 1872, when he became a
5reeleyite. He was elected superior Judge |
n 1873, reelected in 1883, and when ex-
5overnor George Hoadley went to New |
York In 1887, Judge Harmon resigned |
rom the bench to become the head of the |
lrm of Harmon, Colston, Goldsmith &
doadley.
Didn't Expect 1t.
COLUMBUS, o., June S.-Judge Harmon
'rrived in this city last night with ex- |
Governor Foraker and Judge Warrington |
4 Cincinnati for the purpose of securing,
possible, from the auditor of state, a |
Of the Rawlings law taxing |
,cer $3.50 a barrel in order to oblige |
to compete outside the state.
Judge Harmon said the first intimation
II his appointment was received from the
newspapers. "If any one had told me yes
'erday," no said, "that 1 was to be ap-
pointed to a cabinet position, would
have thought he was talking through his
hat The last time 1 saw President
was In Columbus, at the time
of the Thurman banquet, six years ago.
This morning received letter from Mr..
Cleveland. asking me II would accept
The position of attorney general As
Aid not want to reply without consulting
my law partner, Judge Colston, who is in
New York, I Immediately telegraphed
him, and, securing his consent, at two
o'clock telegraphed President Cleveland
hat would accept. have not received
my official notification Of my appoint
nent."
When Judge Warrington. who was
present when reporter called on Judge
Harmon at the Hotel Chittenden, re-
marked that Judge Harmon would leave
me Of the most lucrative law practices in
'hs state, the latter remarked that the
>osition Of attorney general was one that
would tempt any one who loved his prac-
ice. Judgs Harmon will probably leave
or Washington next Monday.
BY Way Of Madrid.
MADRID June q 9-Dispatchea from Cuha