Speculation Over Cleveland's Cabinet Choices

[…] Clan, and will take into the cabinet, if he enters it, a strong flavor of the old Tweed dynasty. It is also considered quite certain that Col. Wm. F. Vilas of Wisconsin will have the portfolio of War or of the Navy. Col. Vilas rendered patriotic service in the war, is quite an orator, without being a very great thinker; and is altogether cleaner than the average Democratic politician. Reports from Madison, his home, say that he is putting his affairs in order, apparently with a view to an extended absence from home; and he is probably either going into the cabinet or abroad for a season. The names of two or three Confederate brigadiers, of Frank Jones, the rich New Hampshire brewer, and other third rate or lower men, appear much oftener in the published lists than those of Thurman, Lamar, Randall, and the stronger statesmen (Mr. Bayard excepted) of the Democratic party. The time is now so short before the cabinet must be announced that speculations with regard to it are hardly worth while. It is to be hoped that Mr. Cleveland will call around him the best men of his party; and we shall then see how much of an improvement they will be able to make on the work of their Republican predecessors, as managers of the vast details of the Government business.