Mr.Harlan was a well-educated man with strong natural parts.

He had shown admirable capacity for public affairs in various positions in Iowa, and had served that State efficiently in the Senate of the United States, which he entered March 4, 1855, at thirty-five years of age.

He was a pronounced and unflinching Republican, ready from personal attachment to Mr.Lincoln to follow him in any public policy, and while somewhat distrustful of Johnson was undoubtedly gratified and re-assured by the tone of his speeches.

Mr.
Harlan was not hasty in judgment but thoughtful and reflective, and aimed always to be just in his conclusions.
William Dennison of Ohio was Postmaster-General.

He had succeeded Montgomery Blair during the Presidential campaign of 1864, when that officer's resignation was asked by the President as a means of appeasing the unreasonable and unreasoning body of men who had attempted to divide the Republican party at the height of the war by the nomination of General Fremont as a candidate for the Presidency.
Mr.Dennison was an amiable man of high principles and just intentions, but he was not endowed with executive force or the qualities of a leader.