Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/120

92 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS debate in congress, a bill was passed providing for an electoral commission, to whose decision the ques tion was to be referred. It decided in favor of Gen. Hayes, and he was inaugurated on March 4, 1877. During all this time the political passions of the people were raised to fever-heat, serious threats of violence were made, and the business interests of the country were greatly disturbed. President Grant took no active part in the determi nation of the question, but devoted himself to measures to preserve the peace. There were many changes in the cabinet during Grant s two adminis trations. The following is a list of its members, giving the order in which they served: Secretaries of state, Elihu B. Washburne, of Illinois; Hamil ton Fish, of New York. Secretaries of the treas ury, Alexander T. Stewart, of New York (ap pointed, but not confirmed, on account of the dis covery of an old law rendering him ineligible be cause of his being engaged in the business of an importing merchant) ; George S. Boutwell, of Massachusetts ; William M. Richardson, of Massa chusetts; Benjamin H. Bristow, of Kentucky; Lot M. Morrill, of Maine. Secretaries of war, Gen. John M. Schofield, U. S. army; John A. Rawlins, of Illinois ; William W.Belknap, of Iowa; Alphonso Taft, of Ohio; J. Donald Cameron, of Pennsyl vania. Secretaries of the navy, Adolph E. Borie, of Pennsylvania; George M. Robeson, of New