The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-08-15
lnstaiIment e


the street In front Of the house where
he lay, to check the noisy traffic that
might have disturbed him more deep
ly in his fever. But the government
had not stood still the while. He had
steadily attended to important mat
tiers as he could Twas scarcely nee
essary he should be out of bed and
abroad again TO make all who handled
affairs feel his mastery: and BIZ the
time the summer was ended that mas
terry was founded upon knowledge.
The First Cabinet.
BY the end of September f17s9)
congress had completed It's work of
organization and Washington had
drawn his permanent advisers about
him. The federal courts, too, had
been erected and given defnitiye ju-
risdiction. The new government had
taken distinct shape, and was ready
to digest its business in detail Wash
ington chose Alexander Hamilton to
be secretary of the treasury, Henry
Knox to be secretary of war. Thomas
Jefferson secretary OF state. and Ed
mund Randolph attorney general
young men all, except Jefferson and
he was but forty-six.
The fate OF the government was
certain to turn, first of all, upon ques-
tions of finance. 1t was hopeless pow
erty that had brought the Confedera-
ton into deep disgrace; the new gov
eminent had inherited from it nothing
| but great debt; and the first test
OF character to which the new plan
in affairs would be put, whether at
home or abroad, was the test of its
ability to sustain its financial credit
with businesslike thoroughness and
statesmanlike wisdom.
Hamflton's Critical Post.
Alexander Hamilton was only thirty
two years old. He had beema spirited
/ and capable soldier and an sstute and
/ eloquent advocate: but he had not had
a days experience in the administra-
ton of great governmental depart
ment, and had never bandled-so far
as men knew, had never studied
/ questions of public finance Washing
| ion chose him, nevertheless, without
| hesitation, for what must certainly
turn cut the most critical post i'll his
administration. No man saw more
clearly than Washington did how
large a capacity for statesmarship
| Hamilton had shown in his mastery
papers in advocacy of the Constitu-
ton. lie had known Hamilton, more
over, through all the quick years that
had brought him from precocious
youth to wise maturity: had read his
letters and felt the singular power
that moved in them; and was ready to
trust him with whatever task he would
consent to assume.
Henry Knox, that gallant officer OF
the Revolution, had been already four
years secretary of war for the Confed.
GRAFTON. In appointing him to the
same Office under the new Constjtu
ton, Washington was but retaining
man whom he loved and to whom
he had for long been accustomed to
look for friendship and counsel.
Jefferson's Wide Experiences.
He chose Thomas Jefferson to handle
the delicate questions of foreign af
fairs which must press upon the young
state because, John Adams being vice
president. there was no other man oil
equal gifts available who had had SC
large an experience in the field of df
plomacy Again and again jefferson
he'd been chosen for foreign missions
under the Confederation; he was
American minister to France wher
Washington's summons called him tC
the secretaryship of state; AMI he
came of that race of Virginia states
men from whom Washington NIGH
reasonably count upon receiving a sup
port touched with personal loyalty
Richard Henry Lee Patrick Henry
and George Mason were home, keepins
spirits. and doubted OF the success Of
the new government; but Jefferson
i though he had looked upon its making
iron across the sea, approved. anC
was ready to lend his aid to its sue
eessful establishment
In appointing Edmund Randolph te
he attorney general. Washington was
| hut choosing a brilliant young mar
,shom he loved cut OF great famil,
OF lawyers who had held sort O
primary at the bar in Virginia eyei
since he could rememher-alpost evel
since she had been called the Old Do
min:ou
Knox was thirty-niEe, Edmund Ran
dolph thirty-six; but ii Washington
chose youug men TO be his comrade;
and guides in counsel. it was but an
other capital proof of his own mastery
in affairs. Himself a natural leader
he recognized the like gift and capac
lily in others, even when fortune hat
not yet disclosed or brought them Il
the test
Hard to Fill Offices.
1t was hard, in filling even the great
/ er offices. TO find men of eminenes VIII,
we're willing 10 leave the service o
a their states or the security and eas'
Of private life to try the untrrddei
paths Of federal government. Th'
states were old and seeure@so mel
thought--the federal government wal