Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-04-19
The Hon. Elisha whittIesey.

! The President of the United States has recalled
to the Office of Comptroller of the Treasury the
Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio and that dis.
tinguished scholar, politician, and statesman ha,
accepted the post Of honor and responsibility
assigned him. When it was first intimated
that Mr.. Whittlesey would be recalled to the
Comptrollership we doubted if he would listen
to it and for the reason that his increasing
years had, as we supposed, suggested to him the
expediency of passing into that comparative
solitude which attends private or domestic life.
The country however, or at least all who are
Whittlesey, will be rejoiced to learn that he has
accepted Mr.. Lincoln's invitation and will inn
mediately enter on the discharge of the duties
of the Comptrollership of the Treasury.
Mr.. Whittlesey is a remarkable, most won
derful man. He entered the United States
House of Representatives in the year 1923, and
continued member of that body till the 4ti
of March, l639 During the larger portion o
that long period he was either chairman of the
Committee on Postoffices and Post-roads or o.
the Committee ON Claims. In both of these
positions he greatly distinguished himself, by
the display of matchless talents and unconquer-
able industry. 1t was Mr.. Whittlesey who, in
the years 1923, redeemed the Postoffice de-
partment from absolute chaos. On the acces-
sion of General Harrison to the Presidency
when Mr.. Francis Granger was appointed Post.
master General, Mr.. Whittlesey was appointed
his first assistant and held that position till af
ter the accession of Mr.. Tyler and the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Granger, when, in consequence o
the interference of Mr.. Tyler with his appoint.
ments, he resigned.
On the accession of General Taylor to the
Presidency he was called to the Comptroller
ship, and remained at its head till the election
of Pierce, when he rendered his resignation
which, 50 far from being accepted, was rejected
and he was solicited most earnestly TO retain his
place. He yielded reluctantly, and continued
10 carry into effect the duties of his Office till
after the election of Mr.. Buchanan. He then
once more rendered his resignation, and, although
Mr. Buchanan was anxious to continue him II
Office, such was the pressure, outside OF the Ex-
ecutive mansion among the blood suckers and
horse-leeehes who desired his evacuation, to en-.
able them to rob the Treasury, that he finally
accepted the resignation Of the Comptroller.
Mr.. Whittlesey Is endowed with talent and
genius which most admirably ht him for the
Office of Comptroller, through whose hands
every claim against the Government of the
United States, real and unfounded, must pass
No Just claim was ever rejected by him, and nc
unjust one ever succeeded in obtaining access "a
the National Treasury. He is passionately fond
of investigation and no problem no matter how
tedious for his investigating mind. II he had
remained at the head of the COmptrollershiT
during the administration Of Mr.. Buchanan, hs
would unquestionably have saved the country
millions Of dollars, which were stolen by the
desperadoes who found their way into tb'
Cabinet. .--Suaday HercEry. ~.