Year: 1876

HIS NOMINATION AS SECRETARY OF WAR.


WASHINGTON, March Judge Aphonso Taft o
Ohio is nominated for Secretary Of War. The ap-
pontment was in accordance with the sentiments of
members of the Cabinet. who concurred unanimous
ly in the selection The President preferred Judge
Hoar OF Senator Morrill, of Maine, but both these
gentlemen, after full reflection, decided that they
could not accede to the Presidents desire. An effort
was made in Executive session to-day to confirm the
nomination of Judge Taft without reference to a
committee, but il was opposed on the ground that it
would I've departure from the usages of the Senate,
and that no haste was necessary The selection,
however is very favorably spoken of by Republican
Senator'S who say it will strengthen the party in the
West. Judge Taft's prominence is not great az
could have been desired by public men from the
East and South but his high standing at home and
the support he received as against Gov. Hayes for
the Republican nomination for Governor Of Ohio,
together with his ability and assured integrity,
make his selection, all in ALL very popular one. He
has signiied his acceptance, and will assume his
duties on Saturday or Monday


Judge Taft is lawyer of wide experience
and great ability No man in Southwestern Ohio is bet
ter known highly respected. He served for a
short time the bench Of the Superior Court in Cncin
hat and delivered minority opinion I'm reference TO the
Bible in the schools This created a prejudice against
lin IN certain quarters although the opinion OF his col
leagues subsequently, Oyerrued md his own sus-
tanned by the Supreme Court appeal Last summer he
prominent candidate for the Republican nOmina-
tion for Governor Of Ohio and. he would undoubtedly
have carried the Convention against Gov. Hayes II II
had not been for the school and temperance questions
His strength was In the cities the Cincinnati and
Cleveland delegations united IN his support; but tho
country delegates urged that although ms decision the
school question might be FOR the best interest Of the com
schools II would be impossible 10 make their con-
sttuents understand his position On the eve OF the
Convention Gov Hayes teleTaphed To one OF the dele
gates: cannot allow name To he used against Judge
Taft lie Is able and pure man, and sound Republi
can. | would not accept a nomination obtained by a
contest with him" The Republican leaders, however,
felt that IL would he unwise TO nominate man whose
record on two important issues would have to be eK-
planned the stump and Judge Taits name was with
drawn after 1876 votes had been east for him. lie ex
planned his views on the school question az a
meeting hcld In the evening 10 ratify the
nomination of Gov Hayes "The division OF the school
fund among the churches sects" he said, would bc
as fatal our school system the dissolution OF our
political Union would be to political power. without
our common schools liberties endangered our
ballots dangerous ! believe that they who would now
divide the schools viii later be satisfied to leave
religious instruction and worship the family and
church while the state attends to the great duty Of
making this education universal through the great sys-
tom OF common schools" Judge Taft took active part
In the canvass With tho single exception Of last years
ceupan however ne has studiousy kept out of poll


tics and has devoted all his time and energy 10 his pro
fersiOn.