The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-07
IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
Secretary Stanton Refuses 10
Resign His Office.
A Prolonged Cabinet Discussion
on the subject.
Probable Summary Dismissal
of the Secretary.

WASHINGTON, August THE Secretary Of War
has refused the Presidents polite invitation to
retire from office. The Presidents note is very
brief only four lines in length, and simply
states that 'grave public considerations con-
strain him 1.-THE PresidenO to request Mr.. stan
tors resignation.n Mr.. Stanton's answer Is also
very BRIEF and intended to be severe and cut
ting. The Secretary acknowledges the receipt
of the Presidents note requesting his resigna-
tion, and answers that grave puolic considera-
tions constrain him to continue in the position
OF Secretary of War until the next meeting OF
Congress"
At the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday Secre-
tary Stanton was not present. The subject was
discussed at much length, and the session was
quite protracted.
1t is not decided what step Mr. johnson will
next take, but think he will notify Mr.. Stanton
that he is no longer Secretary of War, and must
Vacate forthwith.
Alter The adjournment of the Cabinet meeting
the President was closeted with his secretaries,
Colonel W. G. Moore and Colonel Robert Nor
row, until 10 o'clock last night. 1t is supposed
that this unusually late conference with his
secretaries had reference to the stanton i'm
broglio.
The subject of Mr. Stanton's removal has been
the absorbing topic of conversation for two
days in every circle, and there has been much
speculation TO learn what will next transpire.
In fact, few events that have occurred IN the
affairs of Government within the past year
have created so profound a sensation here as
this impending removal of the Secretary of
| War. For some unaccountable reason, the
| prospect of Mr.. Stanton's early retirement to
the shades of private life seems to have awakened
! an interest among all classes of Washington
! society, from the heads of departments, who
| have long been expecting crisis in the rela-
| tions between the President and the Secretary
OF War, to the humblest civilians, who appear
| as much astonished at the announcement as If
| they had believed that the War Minister was in
office for the period OF his natural life. Among
| prominent officials, may add, 1t seems to be
| the general opinion that the President has the
Stanton undpr
visions OF the first section Of the Tenure of
| Office bill.
| Mr.. Stanton kept himself almost completely
| shut up in his private office yesterday. By
express orders no visitors except special favo-
rites were granted an audience. All applicants
| for an interview were presented to General
| Pelouse, Chester6eldiaC style of official who
expressed the Secretary's instructions in the
mildest and politest manner. General Pelouse
asked each applicant the nature of his business,
but all except in very few cases were unable to
give any satisfactory answer, and the applicants
were bowed out as politely as they were bowed
| in, but without much fruit from their labor.
Many of the visitors, indeed, at the War De-
partment and White House were newspaper
men in search of information, which of course
could not be afforded by subordlnates.
1t is said that Secretary Seward is not alto
gether in favor of the Presidents action in this
matter, and that he and Thurlow Weed are about
to strive to save Stanton's head again. year
ago, when there was serious thought of removing
Stanton, Weeds and Raymonds influence,
coupled Win SeWarQS enJreaLleS, lnuuCeu tn6
President to abandon the idea. Seward at that
time argued that Stanton had been q very badly
abused man, and that, though he might have
committed small ofenses still, IN view of his
great services, such trifes should be overlooked.
1t is now said by the friends of the President
that Stantons offenses are not mere trihee, but
amount to a deliberate system of thwarting the
President, obstructing his policy in every way,
and insulting him repeatedly in his official inter-
course. The President, 1t is claimed, has deter
mined to tolerate this no longer, and has put his
foot down firmly.
The Correspondence In Full Between
President johnson and Mr.. Stanton
without assuming to give the exact words, 1
may state that the correspondence between the
President and Secretary Stanton is substantially
as folloWs:-
THE PRESIDENTS NOTE.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON. August s.
To Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary OF War-Sir:-Grave
public considerations constrain me to request your
resignation as Secretary OF War; ro,,,,o,,,
President of the United States,
sECRETARY sTANToN's ANSWER.
WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, August 6.-To
United States-:Sir-Your note informing that
grave public considerations constrain you request
my resignation Secretary ofWRr has been received.
In have to state that grave public consdera
| OF War until the next meeting of Congress.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary Of War.
The correspondence has been refused to the
! press, both at the White House and War Office
| but got the above from reliable source.
|