The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-05
Regarding Cabinet Officers

hcS SdTuinB 1dDlneL Ol1lCeTS
 In the event that a democrat is in- stalled President on March 4, 1913, who would be some of the men in the cab met? The democratic party has always contained statesmen of large ability, but at the present time material acceptable for the making of a Secretary of State is not so plentiful as usual Richard Olney, who served during the last two years of MT. Clevelands second administration, was thoroughly equipped for that or any other public position. He is still living, but Is too old to be considered in con- nection with the next democratic admin istration. Senator Bacon of Georgia, the senior democrat on the Senate committee on foreign relations, is we'll qualified for the state portfolio. but he is too old. United States Senator James A. OGorman of New York, man of acute intellect and broad culture, is one of America's most distinguished men, and as he is in the prime of life it would not be surprising to see him offered the premier position in the cabinet
 Hannis Taylor of Alabama, now 60 years of age, is especially well equipped, and Is well known to the public. He was MT. Cleveland's minister to Spain from 1893 to 1S97 He is the author of two standard works, 'The Origin and Growth of the English Constitution" and International Public Law Gov. Thomas R. Marshall of Indiana, whose term of office expires In January, 1913, might make an admirable Secretary of States. Luke E. Wright and Jacob M.. Dickinson of Tennessee, both of cabinet experience, are men of ap- proved capacity, and either one of them would doubtless make a good Secretary Of States. There are other men of large talent who, from their familiarity with the history of American diplomacy, might grace the state department, but they are perhaps, not widely enough known to be seriously considered Looking over the long list of secretaries of state one finds many eminent names; scarcely a man Who was not distinguished before he be- came Secretary of State. General Grant as President had very little taste for for eign affairs, but he had Hamilton Fish of New York, very able man, for his Sec retary of State. Hayes had William M Evarts of New York, another very able man. Garfield had James G. Blaine, but when Vice President Arthur succeeded to the presidency he appointed F. T. Freling- huySen Of New Jersey, a man or capacity but not brilliant Cleveland had in his first administration Thomas F. Bayard. oile ol lhe greatest or our statesmen. One of the few secretaries of state who was comparatively obscure was William R Day of Ohio. now an associate justice of the United States suprme court He first came to the state department as assist ant secretary under John Sherman, but MT. Sherman being old and infirm, Day soon became acting secretary, and on the retirement of Sherman he proved to be in every way capable and satisfactory In fact, he handled our foreign relations with rare ability.
 Getting back to our next democratic ad- immigration. a particularly strong man will be needed for the treasury depart- ment, but it will not be difficult to find someone in every respect worthy to fill the office of secretary. AS for other cab inet positions, every state in the union would present good names from which the President might make capital selections There are score or more men in Ala bama of cabinet caliber Someone may re- mark that we had better elect our demo- crat and then talk about the distribution of the big plums. But it costs nothing to speculate bit, even. thus far in ad- vance. It may be that the next demo- cratic ticket will go down in defeat as other democratic tickets have done. Rut by anticipation, one makes sure of get ting some pleasure out of the situation. If, however, am anything of a prophet A democrat will take President Taft's place on next inauguration day