The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-24
WAsHINGToN's ADVISERS

BY the end OF September d7s9) con-
sasHs nad completed It's work OF or
sSnihiSsuon Sis and Washington had drawn
ms permanent advisers about him. The
lsucral courts, too, had been erected and
! eNcn definite jurisdiction. The new gov
| elntheht mad taken distinct shape and
was ready TO digest its business In de-
tan. Washing ton chose Alexander Ham
liton to be secretary OF the treasury.
imr,enry Knox TO be secretary OF war,
% %EEuInas Jefferson secretary OF state. and
r.unluhu randolph. attorney
vas but 46.
The fate Of the government was GER
| tain to turn, first OF all upon questions
OF finance. 1t was hopeless poverty that
nad brought the confederation into deep
grace, the new government had inhe rited
10 tso'h II nothing out n great debt: and
the first test OF character 10 which the
new plan In affairs would be put, whether
at home or abroad was the test OF its
aaoiiity to sustain its financial credit with
IKE wisdom, Alexander Hamilton was
only 32 years old. He had been a spIr-
lied and capable soldier and an astute
ana eloquent advocate; but he had not
tratlon of great governmental depart
ment and had never handled-so far as
men knew. had never studled-questions
OF public finance.
CHOOSES HAMILTON,
Washington chose him, nevertheless.
without hesitation. for what must Ger
talnly turn out 10 be the most critical
post In his administration, No man saw
more clearly than Washington did how
large capacity for craftsmanship Ham
ilton had shown In his mastery papers
IN advocacy OF the constitution He had
known Hamilton. moreover. through all
the quick years that had brought him
from precocous youth to wise maturity;
had read his letters and felt the singular
power that moved III 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 confederation.
In appointing him to the same office un-
der the new constitution. Washington
was but retaining a man whom he loved
customed to look for friendship and
counsel. He chose Thomas Jefferson to
handle the delicate questions OF foreign
affairs which must press upon the young
president. there was no ether man OF
equal gifts available who had had SO
large an experience In the field of dl-
plomacy. Again and again Jefferson had
the confederation, he was American min
lister TO France when WashIngtons sum-
mons called him to the secretary ship OF
state; and ne came Of that race Of Eir-
ginian statesmen from whom Washington
might reasonably count upon receiving. a
VIRGINIANS IN POWER.
Richard Henry Lee. Patrick Henry and
George Ma son were ome-keeping sp!r-
Its, and doubted OF the success OF the
new government. but Jefferson. though
he had looked upon It's making from
across the sea. approved and was ready
to lend his aid to Its successful estab-
lishment. In appointing Edmund Ran
dolph 10 be attorney general, Washington
was but choosing brilliant young man
whom he loved out Of a great family Of
lawyers who had held sort Of primacy
at the bar In Virginia ever since he could
remember-almost ever since she had
been called the Old Dominion. Knox
was 80, Edmund Randolph Sc; but "
Washington chose young men to be his
comrades and guides in counsel. It was
but another capital proof Of his own