The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-05-07

THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF TIL
TREAsURY.-The importance attached to
the return Of Frank p. Blair, OF Missouris
to the military service, - Major General,
may be . surprise to persons who have not
closely observed the circumstances OF the
case. The exact truth il that Gen. Blair
has occupied himself in Congress in max
sury-attacking not only his admjnistra-
ton Of the Treasury Department. but his
personal character, and that in violent and
indeCOrOus terms, assuming, all the while,
to be Speaking in behalf of the President.
It was necessary, under the Constitution,
that Gen. Blair should resign his commis-
sion in the army before taking his seat In
Congress new commission, or Its equiva-
lent, had to be issued to him before be could
re-enter the army AZ one Of its officers.
Secretary Chase, IL seems, regarded tho
issue Of this commission, or the revocation
of the resignation however that was ac-
complishedJ which amounts to the same
thing, ~ an Involvement OF the course OF
sidered the propriety Of Withdrawing from
the cabinet. Indeed, there il little room
for doubt, that II the Secretary bad consult
ted his personal feelings, he would have re-
signed peremptorily. The President, how.
ever, disclaims any intention Of ind0rsing
Blair's hostility to Chase, by sending the
former to the army; It n. he, probably been cen
sensitive on matters Of personal dignity re-
garding himself, and Il 10 not surprising
that he should be found wanting in appre-
citation Of the sentiment Of others IN that
regard. He has IN on-hand, often odd way
of doing things, and II 10 not incomped.
ble with his character to presume that bis
idea in returning Blair his Major Generals
commission was that he would be trans
ferred from = position in which he was ma
king mischief, to one in which he would
be out Of the way and Of service to the
country. It 10 . matter Of history that
Gen. Blair was brave and efficient omcer
in the field, and has, during the winter
Der Of Congress. So we may presume the
President meant exactly what he said
when he disclaimed any intention Of treat
ing the Secretary Of the Treasury with dis
respect, in the disposition made Of Gen.
Blair.
The Secretary will, We are certain, upon
mature reflection, take tnls view - Q, ,,; sns
that his position is, in the understanding
of the nation, that of the head Of the treas
ury department, and not that of Clerk -.
Of the President. It may bes0mewhat ex-
ira constitutional, but he Is popularity held
responsible for the administration Of the
treasury uePoftmeut, WnHe INC IIeeiuoAs
10 hardly thought of in That connection
Therefore, If there were even a very Sc
rious misunderstanding with the President
not touching financial measures, he would
not be justified in abandoning his depart
ment. The country would look upon such
abandonment as an evidence that he had
given undue weight to personal considers
tons. If, however, it were to appear that
the President and Secretary of the Treas
ury had conflicting views as to measures
of finance, and that the policy of the latter
was not sustained but enibaT raised by the
influence Of the former, it would clearly be
the duty Of the Secretary to retire from his
wholly with the President. There il no
intelligence before the country that a diff
ference Of this character exists, ard we are
confident Secretary Chase ought not to
leave the Cabinet, and will not do sc.-CIs.
Com.