The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-09

strong Man. Who Has Denor strated His
Fitness for Cabinet once.

Richard Olncy was comparatively little
known 10 the people OF the United States
as a whole when he was selected for At
tOrney-General by President Cleveland in
1893. But he was well known % the legal
fraternity OF the East. and especially Of
New England. and his appointment was
recognized by lawyers as one eminently
fit 10 be made
Mr.. Olney was born In oxford. Mass.
September -, iSl5 He was graduated from
Brown University in the class of 1856. He
studied az the Harvard Law School. and
entered the law Office Of Judge BENJAMIN
T. Thomas. IN Boston, IN 1N9. whose
daughter he subsequently married. Mr.
Olney comes from Puritan stock. His an
cestor Thomas Olney came from England
and settled al salem, Mass. I'm 1735 lie
was one of the close companions OF Roger
Williams and was one OF the thirteen
HIb Joined Williams in founding the
town Of Providence. The successive gene
rations took high rank in New England
affairs, one Of them being Attorncy-Gen-
eral OF Massachusetts,. The father OF
Richard Olney owned and managed the
cotton mills al oxford. and also engaged
In banking His mother was a SigOurney
descended from French Huguen0ts, who
fed from France TO this country
In Boston Mr.. Olney was known, before
his appointment as Attorney General, as
an 'old-liue' Democrat. although he was
never an active politician. In fact, he had
on several occasions declined TO accept Of
fee. preferring 70 confine himself TO the
practice of the law. I'm 1874 De was O.
member Of the lower hrar @ 1f che Masaa-
chuscits legislature ana that was the
only elective Office he had ever held. Mr.
Olney twice refused TO accept place ON
the supreme bench Of the State OF Mass
achusetts. When the vacancy occurred
in the office of chief Justice of the United
States, Mr.. Olney's name was presented
10 Mr.. Cleveland by General Patrick A
Collins and other Bay State Democrats.
but the appointment went 20 the West.
and Melville G. Fuller was chosen. Mr..
Olney ran FOR At0mey-Gcncral of Massa-
chusctts in 1876 but was defeated. II
was at a time when The nomination could
hardly De considered more than an empty
honor
In the Cabinet Mr.. Olncy has been in
the fullest sense the legal adviser OF the
President. ln dealing with foreign affairs
bis advice was or great assistance to
President Cleveland and Secretary Gros-
am. or his treatment Of domestic affairs.
the correspondent OF a Republican paper
said. since bis name was mentioned in
connection with the succession 20 Score
ltfA GicSutm.
while the great strike was on at Chi
caeo. Mr.. Olney's services were par,icu-
larly notable. He developed each step
that the Government authorities took. and
President Cleveland was so fully con-
yinced Of the wisdom Of his policy that
be gave 10 thorough support and exocu-
ton. The recent decision OF the United
States Supreme Court has given judicial
approval 10 the course pursued by the
Government. and has shown that while
Mr.. Olney sought new and untried means
10 meet a grave emergency. be moved
strictly within the Constitution and the
Jaw
con the other hand. when the Phiiahel-
pha and Reading Railroad Company
sought 10 compel an employe either 90
sever his connection with railway hone-
fetal organization or leave the company s
service. Mr. Oncy obtained the permis-
sion OF the court 90 present brief in
behalf of the employe. IN which be held
that the proposed action Of The company
was against justice and right
Mr.. Olney is a man of striking figure.
six feet in height. and weighs over 20
pound, Tie speaks with great force
and delibcration. and IS charming COM
paulon. Socially. no man in the Cabinet
stands higher than SIR. Olney. lie is
quiet and unaffected. He Is Something
of a club man. delights in his books and
in art. and is fine classical scholar.