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

Joseph Holt. of Kentucky, had tho
rare distinction OF having served
within 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 b.
Floyd.
Judge Holt was one Of the strong
men OF Kentucky who opposed the
attempt which was made in that state
to secede from the Union early in tho
winter OF 1861 For this reason
President Lincoln sent for Judge Holt
soon after ihe beginning OF the war
and said TO him that Il was upon HIM
and men like him that the Union must
rely for support in the border states,
Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri.
~ want you to help us la some
Official relation Mr. Lincoln said.
And this man who had held two cab
met Offices and who was esteemed
one of the ablest lawyers of Kentucky
said to President Lincoln, 81 Will
accept any post Of duty to which you
see fit to assign me.
Il was this reason that President
Lincoln caused Judge Holt to be aD-
pointed Judge advocate and, after Con-
gress had so legislated as to create
the office of Judge advocate general,
the-holder of which was 70 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-
ola, Payne and Mrs. Surratt who
were convicted and executed for
having conspired against the life OF
President Lincoln, Nice-President
Johnson and Secretary of State VIII
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
sudden he pointed out a gentleman
who was passing through the lobby
That man. said he lis Judge
Holt. who was judge advocate gem
eral at the time OF the civil war and
the administration of President Bu-
chanan / know, upon the best au-
thority, that If he had been willing
to accept an offer, he would have
been in President LincOln's cabinet.
THE first Attorney-General in Lin
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 in 1863 Shortly af,
ter that President Lincoln sent the
name of James Speed. of Kentucky,
to the Senate for confirmation of his
appointment as Attorney-Gen eral 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 somelhing
which no Senator knew at that time.
From Mr.. Speed himself came the in
formation, cOniidentially impaired,
that LincOln's first choice for the post
Of Attorney-General 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
mo Mr.. President, Judge Holt
replied. You can find plenty of COM
potent lawyers for the Department Of
Justice If you want 90 go to Ken
tucky why not take James Speed?
He is a great lawyer. and you know
what fine work he has done i'm secur-
ing Union regiments in the state OF
Kentucky
" What objection have you to en-
tering the cabinet?' asked Mr. Linz
coin.
Why. Mr.. President, ! think |
can serve you and your administers
ton and the country far better in the
position | no occupy, with the duties
of which am thoroughly familiar,
than | could as Attorney-General OF
the United States.
1 don't know but you're right.
Judge said Mr. Lincoln. You know,
he and 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, 1872 by T.. j. Edwards.
All rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell Of
"Dayid B. Hills Great Weakness as a
Politician.