Evening journal., 1912-11-05
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
How Lincoln Chose His Sec
Ond Attorney General
BY Holland.

Joseph Holt, of Kentucky, had the
rare distinction of having served
within a few months in two cabinet
Offices in a presidential administra-
ton. He was appointed Postmaster
General in 1859 and in 1861 he was
chosen by President Buchanan as
Secretary of War, succeeding John 3.
Floyd.
Judge Holt was one Of the strong
men of kentucky who opposed the
attempt which was made in that state I
to secede from the Union early in the
winter of 1861 For this reason
President Lincoln sent for Judge Holt
soon after the beginning of the war
and said to him that it was upon him
and men like him that the Union must
rely for support in the border stales,
Maryland Kentucky and Missouri
81 want you to help us in some
official relation" Mr. Lincoln said(
And this man who had held two cab
met Offices aud who was esteemed .
one of the ablest lawyers of Kentucky
said to President Lincoln, IL will
accept any post of duty to which you
see fit to assign me-"
II was this reason that President
Lincoln caused Judge Holt to be APP I
pointed judge advocate and, after Con-
gress had so legslated as to create
the Office of Judge advocate general, .
the holder of which was to be esteem
ed of equal rank with a brigadieer-
general, President Lincoln appointed
Judge Holt to this important Office.
Il was as Judge advocate general that
Judge Holt prosecuted Atzerodt Har-
old Payne and Mrs. Surratt, who
were convicted and executed for
having conspired against the life of
President Lincoln, Vice-prosidont
Johnson and Secretary of State Will
liam H. Seward.
/ was sitting one afternoon in the
lobby of one of the Washington ho-
tells. chatting with Beverley Tucker
at one time United States consul OF ,
Liverpool, who had been familiar with
the leading men of Washington for
twenty years or more, when all Of al
sudden he pointed out a gentleman ,
who was passing through the lobby,
That man. said he, lis Judge
Holt who was judge advocate gon-
cral at the time of the civil war and
the administration of President Blu ,
chanan. I know, upon the best au-
thority. that If he had been willing
w hiAiNA hM Vnilf Nv WVAAN AAfIf'
been i'm President Lincolns cabinet.
"Tho FIRST Attorney in In
coins cabinet was Edward Bates Of !
Missouri. He was a very old man
when he entered the cabinet, being
nearly seventy years of age. He re-
signed his Office i'm 1863 Shortly af-
ter that President Lincoln sent tho .
name Of James Speed of Kentucky,
TO the Senate for confirmation of his
appointment as Attorney-General But
if Judge Holt had needed President
Lincoln's invitation his name would
have been sent TO the Senate instead
of James Speeds. That is something
which no Senator knew at that time
From Mr.. Speed himself came the in
formation, confdentially impaired,
that Lincolns first choice for the post
of Attorney-Goneral was Joseph Holt.
President Lincoln when he had
made up his mind as to the vacant
cabinet post, asked Judge Holt TO call
upon him at the White House at an
appointed hour and said at once, as
soon as they had saken hands, Judge,
/ should like TO have YOU enter my
cabinet as Attorney-General IF you
will accept the offer | will send your
name to the Senate tomorrow
No Mr.. President Judge Holt
replied You can find plenty of COM
petent lawyers for the Department OF
Justice If YOU want 10 go to Keu-
lucky, why not take James Speed?
He is a great lawyer, and you know
what fine work he has done in secur-
ing Union regiments in the state Of
/ kentucky
What objection have you to en-
toring the cabinet?' asked Mr. Linz
coin.
Why, Mr.. President. | think
can serve you and your administers
ton and the country far better in tho
position / no occupy, with the duties
Of which I am thoroughly familiar,
than | could as Attorney General Of
the United States.
- don't know but you're right,
! judge said Mr.. Lincoln. You know,
he and I and our families have been
intimate for a good many years.
reckon I'll ask James Speed to be-
/ come Acknowledgement
And that is what Mr.. Lincoln did
as soon as he could get word to Mr..
/ Speed"
Copyright. 1912. by e. J. Edwards.
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell "
"Dayid b. HIPS Great Weakness as q
Politician