Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-12-09
LAST LIVING MEMBER OF
PRESIDENT GRANTS CABINET


BY Lleut-CoL J. A. Watrous, L. 5 Army.
Only one cabinet minister who was in
timately associated with Gen. Grant while
he was President is still living Ex Sen
ator George H. Williams Of Portland,
Ore. was attorney general.
/ had pleasant talk with Judge VIII
liams. He told me many things about
Gen. Grant which deserve to be given to
the public.
First let me tell something about Judge
Williams lie is a native OF New York.
where lie grew to manhood. was educated
in the public schools and admitted to the
bar. st q he went to Iowa and prac-
ticcd his profession. in 1917 he was
elected circuit Judge Not long after
Mr.. Pierce became President. In 1852
Judge Williams was appointed chief JUS
tice Of the territory OF Oregon, Stephen
4. Douglas a personal friend. having re-
questcd the appointment. President Blu
chanan reappointed him in 1851, but not
being IN accord with some of Mr. Bij-
chanan'- slavery ideas, he rendered his
resignation and resumed his law prac
tice. becoming a Republican.
In 1864 MIR. Williams was elected to
the United States Senate 1t was Sen
ator Williams who drew the rcconstruc-
ton bin and had charge of ii in the Sen
ate. President Grant appointed him Il
member Of the Joint high commission
which neg0tia,,.d the treaty Of Washing
ton. and soon Rftcr his duties in that
connection euoCd selected him as attor-
ney general
When Chief Justice Salmon p Chase
died Gen. Grant found great difficulty in
selecting his successor. Great pressure
was brought to bear to promote one of
the associate iusuceS. Gen Grant de
sired To do that. hut was not long in dis
covering that WINE he would greatly
please one of the justices by such 81
course, he would seriously displease all
81 the others. and their friends. and the
idea was abandoned 1t was finally de
cided to name Roscoe Conkling, who had
recently been elected to the Senate. Sen
ator Conkling declined There were two
or three cabinet meetings, largely lie
voted to discussing candidates for chief
Justice One of these meetings was held
without the knowledge of the attorney
general. Gen. Grant settled upon Judge
Williams, and his name was sent to The
Senate.
Il knew nothing about it until my
name was sent to the Senate 1t was my
greatest surprise sail Judge Williams.
The next day. when | met Gen Grant,
] said. Mr. President. am under many
obligations for your Kindness in this mat
ter
lie replied, 1t was the proper thing
to do.
The history Of that appointment is
very interesting, As will he rcmem.
bered the Senate did not act upon it..
The desire of many senators to see an
associate justice promoted was marked
factor III preventing prompt confirmation.
hut there was still greater factor
Mrs, Williams was talented beautiful
woman; she was a leader in Washington
society; few equalel her and none ex-
celled
TIN, distinguished society leader. while
very popular with a large element. was
with an influential element.
That element consisted Of the wives OF
some senators, representatives judges
and other high officials
Mrs. Williams greatly surpassed these
classes. 1t WAS a thorn in their sides
to have her the wife Of Il cabinet min
i9tcr; what would il lie when ~he was the
wife of the ohct Justice! The pill was
Il very bitter one for them, The idea of
this lady lrom far away Oregon. the
backwoodS. as they said. rlukiug them
II must not be-