President Grant found his problems multiplying with unpleasant rapidity. From the start, he had difficulty with Senator Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, who was offended because he had not been consulted about Cabinet nominations, and showed his disapproval by objections to the President’s nominee for Secretary of the Treasury. This man was A. T. Stewart, the millionaire merchant of New York, who accepted the position with pleasure and engaged a suite at the Ebbitt House preparatory to assuming his position. Senator Sumner’s objections to him were based on the grounds that it was not lawful for a man who was an importer in active business to hold the position of Secretary of the Treasury. Although Mr. Stewart was ready to retire from business and devote the entire profits that might accrue during the term of his desired Cabinet service to charity, this was not regarded as a proper procedure for him or for the government to sanction. The President requested that the old law, accredited to Alexander Hamilton, covering this situation, which had been passed in 1788, be set aside so as to enable his candidate to qualify for the office. However, the Senate declined, and the President was disappointed and distinctly annoyed at meeting antagonism at the beginning of his term. The antipathy between President Grant and Charles Sumner came finally to open rupture. President Grant appointed George S. Boutwell, ex-Governor of Massachusetts, as Secretary of the Treasury. This nomination was unanimously confirmed. Edwin M. Stanton’s career as Secretary of War was ended, and he had been appointed Justice of the Supreme Court through the efforts of Senator Ben Wade, of Ohio. He accepted and took the oath, but never sat in the tribunal, since he died December 24, 1869. Considerable mystery surrounded his death; many believed that he committed suicide, but investigation of this matter and evidence of the attending physician brought the statement that death occurred from natural causes. The President chose for his Secretary of War General John A. Rawlins, who had been his chief of staff and military adviser. Rudolph R. Borie, a retired Philadelphia merchant, received the nomination as Secretary of the Navy; John D. Cox, lawyer, of Ohio, the post of Secretary of the Interior; John A. Cresswell, of Maryland, that of Postmaster General; and Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, of Massachusetts, Attorney General. This concluded what was regarded as a very strong Cabinet. James G. Blaine was elected Speaker of the House. By this time, every state was represented in the legislative body, and the administration had the support of a large majority in both Houses.