Year: 1874

President Grant might have made much
worse appointment than that of ex-Gov.
Jewell of Connecticut to be Postmaster
General. Mr.. Jewell doubtless owes his ap-
pointment to his relations with the President,
with whom he has been on terms OF the most
cordial intimacy for many years, rather than
to any special qualifications for the place.
Still he is man of good character, un-
doubted personal integrity, and practical
business talent, and will, without doubt, prove
an efficient and energetic officer. Ills polltlcal
experience in any prominent capacity dates
from the year 1868, when he was the RepuD-
lican candidate for Governor OF Connecticut
and was defeated by James 4. English. lie
was elected in 1869, defeated again by Mr. Eng
lish in 1870, and reelected in 1871 and 1872.
In 1873 he declined denomination, and a
little later was appointed Minister to Russia.
He has been discharging the duties OF that
position at st. Petersburg not quite year,
and the notice of his appointment found him
on the eve of two months leave of absence
Judging from his private letters, some OF which
have been published by indiscreet friends, the
duties of diplomacy did not suit his active
disposition, and the recall from st. Petersburg
to a more congenial place and more active
life is no doubt very gratifying to him. The
readiness of his acceptance indicates entire
willingness to make the exchange; indeed, he
made no secret before going abroad of his
preference for some Cabinet position for which
his business habits and training fitted him,
rather than a diplomatic Office for which he
dstrusted his fitness.


If it be true that President Grant contem-
plates being a candidate for denomination, the
effect of this appointment will be to strengthen
his chances for success. AS politician Gov.
Jewell has been very successful. His opponents
have charged that he owed his success entirely
to his liberal use of money, but he has done
more than use money. lie very quickly
learned the duties of his position as Governor,
and although he never had the fiber or the
stuff in him for refOrmer, or even great
leader, he possessed in such large degree the
qualities that give men popularity that he
came very soon after his first entrance into
political life to be the strongest man of his
party in the State. In the last two campaigns
the party has suffered from the want of his per-
sonal popularity and shrewd management and
has been beaten. In the position of Post
master-General he will find q larger field for
the exercise of his talent as political mana
ger, and if the Presidents programme involves
a third term he will be of great service in
carrying out the details. Aside from that he
will make an excellent Department officer and
a discreet counselor. Without being a states
man, and indeed without possessing many of
the qualifications generally esteemed neces-
sary in an Office of the Importance of Post
MASTER General, he is still so much superior
to the average of Presidential appointments
that we feel entirely safe to congratulate the
President and the country upon 10.


The fact that the first appointee, Mr.. Hale,
only asked to be allowed a few weeks time
to recuperate his health before entering upon
the duties of the office, which was refused,
taken in connection with the further fact that
several weeks must elapse before Minister
Jewell can reach Washington, the duties
meantime being discharged by q temporary
appOintee. excites some comment, but it may
not have any significance. 1t is only possible
that the President may have taken alarm at
the suggestions concerning Mr. Hale's rela-
TONS with Speaker Blaine, and taken the first
opportunity to retreat. Perhaps this feature
of the new appointment will develop in the
course of few months.