The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-04-08

~ u o0~ l
the State government. Elected to the !
United States Senate in 1928, he was
reelected to succeed himself in 1929
and was about to enter upon his Sec
ond term when President Jackson in
vited him to a place in his cabinet.
Though Branch had had a distin-
guished career in his own State, he
was not very we'll known in national
politics, and his appointment to a cabi-
net position excited surprise in many
and disgust in a disappointed 1eW.
by what interest,"" wrote one such
politician, that miserable old woman.
Branch, was eve dreamed OF no one
can tell" History has dealt harsh
ly with Governor Branch's memory.
The admirers and biographers OF An
drew Jackson have felt it necessary.
in order to shield their hero from his
folly in the Eaton scandal. to damn
Gus neglect those who thWarted his
will. Thus Parton reluctantly con
cludes that Branch was q man OF
respectable talents. good presence, and
high social POSITION While Dr.. John
Spencer Bassett, Jackson's latest
biographer. disdainfully dis,nisses
Jackson's Secretary OF the Navy from
consideration by observing that, HE
| was noted for nothing but his good
sAA oAAA 6AA0 ~
impression got abroad that he was
brought forward because it was felt
hat something must be lone to pro-
| mote the social prestige OF the new
party. Eaton ~TJackson's party man
ager] stood strongly for Branch, how
ever, and it is reasonable to assume
thai he did SO because he wanted to
Withstand Virginia's claims. which
were pressed in favor Of TazeWell, and
probably because he felt that the
weak-willed Branch would at least be
manageable"
IF SO, the selection proves that Eaton
was a DOR Judge of men, for he, of
all men, did pot find Branch "man-
ageable"; and though one may readily
enough admit that John Branch Was
not a great man, nevertheless one ma
be pardoned for doubling whether
"weak-willed" is the correct epithe<
to apply to a nan who had the firm
ness and courage to Withstand the
Will OF the headstrong, iInperious
Jackson.
Since we are dealing in assumptions
is It not reasonable to assume" thai
q man whom the people OF q great
: in the highest positions within thei1
gift, must have. had something Il
recommend him to their favor be,
sides his good dinners and correc
4 manners"? Perhaps some ~explana
r ton. other than the necessity OF pro
noting the social prestige OF the new
. party and Of finding somebody whs
r Eaton. may be found for Branch
q appointment. Branch was an ad
E hereat OF the Calhoun wing OF tn,
Democratic party. which was hen CO
operating with the Jackson wing an,
expected representation in the cabi
n net. Then, too, he had served in tn
+ Senate with jackson, was well know
to him. and in 1925 Joined Jackso,
and q few other Senators IN votin
against the confirmation OF Henri
g Clay as Secretary of State-an &C
+ "a Parton says, peculiarly calculate
to secure him he favorable consider
Il alton OF General Jackson" In thi
n connection It Is not without intere.
le to observe that among those who vote
2 with Branch In this matter were job
It H. Eaton. OF Tennessee, and John n
T. Berrien. OF Georgia, both Of whol
" jackson afterwards selected as men
of hers of hts cabinet.
,e Branch's associates in the cahins
were as follows: Martin Van Bure,
OF New York. Secretary Of Stat,
In Samuel D. Inghasn. OF P~ennsylvani
y Secretary Of the Treasury; John
E Eaton, Of Tennessee, Secretary OF Wa
,r John M. Berrien, OF Georgia, Alto
ney-General: William T. Barry.
OF Kentucky, Postmaster-General. "T1
Id cabinet taken as a WHOLE" remarl
Parton, land compared with tho
In witch had preceded 1t. could not |
It's called splendid. There WAS. SEINE she
Of Justice tn a. common remark OF q
A. time: THIS Is the millennium OF Il
e. Esinnowx" Leaving Mr.. Van Bur
As out Of view. the only cohesive Ell
mt ment in it. common to all. vas s
he aversion to Mr.. Clay. Eaton wac
lal Jackson man; InghaIn. Branch al
on Berrien were Calhoun men; but !:
ks were anti-ClAy men. IT
N anti-C1ayism OF these gentlemen "
on that which particularly endeared the
~ to the new President"
ngt OF BrAnch'S services as Secreta
lei of the Navy but little can be sa!