The National tribune., 1900-03-15

formation of the new Cabinet being the
subject principally discussed. After ex-
pressing qualification at his election. and
an apprehension of the dangers which
threatened the incoming Administration
saws Mr.. Weed, in his autobiography
Mr. Lincoln remarked, smiling. that he
supposed / had had some experience in
cabnet-making; that he had Job on hand
and as he had never learned that trade he
was disposed to avail himself Of the f3ug-
gestions of friends Taking up his figure
! | replied. that though never a boss cabinet
maker. had. as a journeyman, been occa-
sionally consulted about State Cabinets;
and that. although President Taylor once
| talked with me about reforming his Cabinet.
| ] had never been concerned i'll or presumed
to NEEDLE with the formation of an original
| Federal Cabinet, and that he was the first
| President-elect / had ever seem The
question thus opened became the subject
| of conversation, at intervals, during that
and the following day. | say at intervals.
| because many hours were consumed in
| talking of the public men connected with
former Administrations, interspersed, illus
trated and seasoned pleasantly with Mr.
! Lincoln's stories, anecdotes, etc. And
here | feel called upon to yindicatc Mr.. Lin
| coin, as far as my opportunities and obser-
| yation go. from the frequent imputation OF
! telling indelcate and ribald stories. saw
much OF him during his whole Presidential
term. VIII ldUlildE lTlefluS ana alone when
ne talked without restraint; but ] never
heard him use profane or indecent word,
| or tell story that might not be repeated
J in the presence of ladies.
! "Mr. Lincoln observed that the making
of Cabinet, now that lac had ii 10 do was
by no means as easy as he had supposed
that he had. even before the result of the
election was known, assuming the proba
biliiy OF success, fixed upon the two leading
members Of his Cabinet. but that in looking
about for suitable men 10 fill the other De
partments, he had been much embarrassed
partly from his want of acquaintance witt
tthe prominent men OF the day, and partly
, he believed, that while the population o
the country had Immensely increased
really great men lrere Scnrccr than then 1isec
TO be- He then inquired whether had any
| suggestions Of a general character affect
ing the selection of a Cabinet to make =
ASthe conversation progressed, Mr.. IincOlf
/ remarked that he intended to invite Governo
Seward TO take the State and GoVerno,
Chase the Treasury Department. remark
! ing that. aside from their long experienc,
in public affairs and their eminent fitness
they were prominently before the peopl
and the convention as competitors for TN
. Presidency, each having higher claims
! than his own for the place which lie was t.
occupy. On naming Hon. Gideon Welle
as the gentleman he thought of as the rep
l reeentative of New England in the Cabinet
feHldfheU tilat tDOuBflL lie cOulu llnt
} several New England gentlemen who's
l selection for a place in his Cabinet woulc
/ be more acceptable to the people of New
l England. But said Mr.. Lincoln. w
must remember that the Republican part,
4 is constituted of two elements, and that W
t must have men Of Democratic as well a
OF Wing antecedents in the Cabinet Thei
! Mr; Lincoln remarked that Judge Blai
e had been suggested. / inquired, 'Whd
S Judge Blair? and was answered. 'Judg
0 Montgomery Blair. Has ne been sug
c gested by any one except his father, Fran
l els T.. Blair, 8r." Your question: sal,
n Mr. Lincoln, reminds me of a story an,
e he proceeded. with infinite humor, TO tell
i story which would repeat, if did not fea
I that its spirit and effect would be lost
t But said Mr. L., to be serious, what d.
e you think of Judge Blair l said that
:, had no personal acquaintance with tina
: gentleman, but that had been accustome
d to regard him as anything but an agreeabl
!, political bedfellow, and that | hoped h
; would not punish himself and others b.
3 taking man into his Cabinet who woul
i keep 1t constantly in hot water The
d you think, said Mr. L., that Judge Blai,
e like Farmer Tabor's brindle OK, should b
S unyoked in the yard?' i finally remarke
n that If we were legislating on the question
e should move TO strike out the name G
$ Montgomery Blair, and insert that {