The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-25
xAssAonussrrs nAs FAnsD WE'LL.
The Nay State Always In Liue when Csbi-
net Eonts Arc n~Intrihntnd.


Massachusetts. which Ia neither the oldest.
nor the largest, nor the most populous. nor the
most uncertain politically Of the States Of the
Union, has had a larger representation In the
Cabinets Of the Presidents than any other OF
the States OF the country, larger even than New
York. Pennsylvania or Ohio. and II need sur
prise no one to know that one of the first selec-
tions made for tho Cabinet Of the President
elect was a Massachusetts man, q prominent
former Governor Of that State, for Secretary OF
the Navy. It appears to have been what may
be described as one Of the early political tradi-
lions Of tho country that In every Presidential
Cabinet Massachusetts should have q place. At
the breaking out Of tho Revolutionary war.
Massachusetts, stood nfth among tho colonies
In population. and at the close of the Revolu-
tionary war II had fourth place. Virginia
standing first, Psnnsyivania second. North Car
olir- third, and New York Nth. In 1920.
Massachusetts had fallen to the seventh place.
and 1t has held that position almost uninter-
~ruptedly until at the last State or Federal CEN
sus II was exceeded by New York. Pennsylvania.
Illinois. Ohio. and Missouri. Massachusetts, hav-
Ing substantially the same population as Texas
At present.
Thirty Massachusetts, men have held Cabinet
offices In Washington. and the list 10 in many
respects a most remarkable one. Massachu-
sets had. under Washington. the frat Secretary
Of War. Henry Knox. When tho Department
of the Navy was created. the first Secretary Of
It was George Cabot of Massachusetts,. appointed
by President Adams. also q resident of that
state. The first Postmaster-G General. Samuel
Osgood, appointed by President WASH
ington. was a resident of Massachusetts,
and so was his successor. Timothy Pick
ering. Timothy Pickering did not have
what may DO called In these days an
attractive name, but he certainly had consider
he was in turn Secretary Of state, Secretary OF
War. and and also q Sem
ator and member Of the House of Representa-
tives. Massachusetts has been represented with
credit 10 many Cabinets. Daniel Webster. John
Quincy Adams. and Edward Everett held tho
post OF Secretary Of State. George Cabot. and
George Bancroft we're Secretaries OF the Navy,
Theophilus Pnrsons. Caleb Cushing. z. Rockwell
Hoar and Charles Dovens were httorney.Gen-
colt were Secretaries OF War. and samuel Dex-
ter and George S. Boutwell, we're Secretaries Of
the Treasury. The present Secretary OF state,
Richard Olney. 10 a resident OF Massachusetts
aud the next Secretary OF tho Navy will. from
present indications, be q Massachusetts, man,
too.
There Is one place in tho Cabinet. however.
which has never gone 70 the Bay State. and
that 10 the post OF Secretary OF the Interior: and.
In fact. since its Establishment no Now Eng
land man and. no New York or New Jersey
which may be ascribed the favor with which
residents of Massachusetts are regarded by
American Presidents is that Massachusetts,
men. as q rule. have preliminary training In
Congress before they aspire to Cabinet posts. Q
training which many other aspirants lack.