Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-07-06

The Resignation OFsscrstary Chase
How it Came About.
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
The following dispatches from our
Washington correspondent were delayed
in consequence ofthe prevalence of storms
on the telegraph lines:
WASHINGTON, June 3O-l2 A. n.
Late in the afternoon, rumor began TO
run about the lobbies and committee
rooms of the Capitol, that Secretary Chase
had given up the portfolio of the Treasury
Department. Nobody believed it, but still
it was repeated with additional details and
fresh particulars, till finally the runners
hardened into the cold, solid fact, aud the
nomination of Ex-Gov. Tod OF Ohio as his
successor, gave official evidence Of its haV-
ing gone beyond recall. The host of ru-
mors aud doleful prophecies that followed
served at least TO show how firmly, in the
midst Of all attacks, Mr.. Chase had held
the confidence of the party aRd the couu-
try.
| alt is the gloomiest day have seen in
Washington since the frst Bull Run" said
one Congressman who had hitherto been
noted for his opposition to Mr.. Chase; an
other, on being asked what he thought of
| it, showed a telegraphic dispatch counter
| manding an order for the purchase of
Government honds as his best answer.
| Presently the character of the proposed
successor came to be scrutinized, men be-
gan To reflect what amount of brains was
really needed to manage this immense de-
partment, whose workings they had been
accustomed so 1ippantly to criticise, and
to wonder what qualification Governor
Tod had ever shown TO fit him for the
i IL
Mr.. Chase bad felt his personal honor
compromised by remaining in the Cabi-
net, and had only been restrained from Pc
remptorIly rendering his resignation by
tue urgent representations OF the Ohio del
egation, aud his conviction that he could
not resign in the face of an investigation
/ in the long chain of facts of which these
J are among the most important links, lay
I the cause of Mr.. Chase's resignation. Its
| immediate occasion, however, was q diff
ferent matter. The second most impOr-
tant fiscal Office of the Government, that of
the Sub Treasury in New York, was about
to become vacant through the resignation
of Mr. Cisco. Mr.. Chase sought for some
eminent business man whom he could in
duce to take it, but failing to persuade any
of those to whom it was offered, he finally
| nominated Mansell B. Field, one OF the
Assistant Secretaries OF the Treasury, and
| for a long time the Deputy Sub-Treasurer
under Mr.. Cisco, whom he knew to be
perfectly familiar with the duties of the
Office.
All the New York Representatives unit
| ed in recommending him. 0ae of the Sena-
tors was understood to desire to do the same,
but the other Senator had sundry csndi-
dates of his own.
Mr.. Lincoln therefore returned the nomi-
nation, saying that he could not appoint
Mr.. Field, and that Mr.. Chase must select
from the three candidates Governor Nor
gan had named. One of these men was
over 40 years OF age, and another was aged
60; while the third was from the interior
OF the State, unknown to New. York, and
unfamiliar with the duties or wants of the
office.
Mr.. Chase insisted that the fitness for
Office, rather than the political oonsidera-
tion of pleasing Governor Morgan, should
be the chief requisite for an officer through
whose hands fifteen millions day might
pass.
Mr. Lincoln insisted that Governor Nor
! gan must be pleased by selecting the Sub
| Treasurer from among his three candidates.
| Thereupon, yesterday, a little after noon
| Mr.. Chase sent in his resignation, which
l some twenty hours later Mr.. Lincoln ac-
cepted. Meantime, however, the personal
question had been Withdrawn by Mr.. Cis-
cos consenting to remain in Office. 1t was
not therefore on account sf refusal to
appoint Mr.. Field, or any body else, that
| the resignation was made, but because Of
the radical issue between the two as to the
principles which govern the selection OF
| officers for posts ofsuch vast responsibility.
There was no personal unkindness attend
ing the matter.
Mr. Chase received the acceptance which
had been confidently expected, this morn
| ing, a little before noon.
Assistant Secretary Harrington is tempo
rariiy in charge of the Department.
| 1t is an open secret that the nomination
of Governor Tod was made without con-
sultatiou with any of the Ohio Represeu-
tatiYes and Senators, and tits understood
that every one of them disaPProves of it.
The Senate to-day referred it 20 its Fin
ance Committee, and they had long and
sharp interview with the President on the
subject.
Large numbers of Representatives aud
Senators have also waited on the President
about it, and a very general dissPProbA-
tion is expressed. ~ EA-- IL -