The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-03-18
Grants SECOND wilderness.

successfully to administer the affairs of the
government, which formed SO marked fea-
turs in the inaugural address. brought Gen.
Grant to sudden grief. 1t was the inevitable
consequence OF a man of purely military
antecedents. like Gen. Grant, attempting to
form q cabinet without consulting with the
moro experienced members of his party. If
he had felt that natural dstrust in his capa-
city for the high office upon which he was
about to enter, which other Presidents
greater than he have felt and were not afraid
to aVow, he would not have involved him
self in a very unpleasant position at the very
threshold of his administration. His great
official blunder realized the danger which
usually besets an inexperienced hand in
playing with edged tools. In less than
forty-eight hours after he had appointed A.
T. Stewart Secretary Of the Treasury it was
discovered that he was ineligible under the
provisions of an act Of Congress drawn eighty
years ago by Alexander Hamilton and ap.
proved by George Washington. The law
referred to prohibits any person from being
appointed Secretary of the Treasury who
may directly or indirectly be concerned or
interested in carrying on the business of
trade or commerce. Mr.. Stewart, being
largely engaged in commercial pursuits.
could not, of course. legally hold the office.
To relieve himself from this dilemma General
Grant sent message to the Senate asking
that body to exempt Mr. Stewart from the
operation of this statute. But that body
not mauifssting any willingness to comply
with his request, he withdrew his message.
A paper was then prepared and executed by
Stewart, in which he transferred an set over
to certain trustees all the gains and profits
for four years arising out Of his business as
a merchant, the profits to be devoted to
charitable purposes. 1t was held, however,
by the best lawyers to whom the question
was submitted that, although this arrange
ment might be compliance with the letter
of the law, it an evasion of its spirit
Stewart accordingly resigned, and Grant
appointed George S. Boutwell,, of Massachu-
sstts. in his place.
This .tdur pas at the beginning of the new
administration is not calculated to inspire
the people with any great confidence in its
future career. If Andrew johnson had
committed this stupid blunder the radicals
would have clustered terribly over il. and
would probably have made it the ground
for another impeachment
1t is very amusing to read the radical ac-
counts of this muddle which were sent from
Washington. When Stewart finally discov-
cred that there was no possible way by which
the law could he evaded, and when he wait
ed on the President TO tender his resignation,
what occurred is thus described: ''The in
tervisw was exceedingly pleasant and en-
tirely satisfactory to the parties interested.
Mr. Stewart said that he had no desire to
embarrasS General Grant in any way, par
ticularly at this period of his administration.
General Grant replied saying that he appre-
ciated Mr.. Stewards kindly Intentions
etc. One can readily imagine how exceed
ingly Pleasant and entirely satisfactory it
must have been both to Grant and his friend
Stewart to be confronted by the positive
veto on all their nice arrangements. 1t was
a time for the expression of mutual sympa-
thy and commiseration. Stewart admired
Grants magnamimity in delivering to him
the keys of the Treasury. while Grant went
off in exstacies at Stewards patriotism in
declining an office which the law declared
he could not bold. It was sort Of mutual
admiration party. and we have no doubt
that both felt supremely happy. The final
scene in this Comedy Of Errors" would
have afforded rich subject for the inimita-
BILE pencil Of Hogarth.
f. B. Washhurne. the Secretary Of State.
after having held the seals of office inst five
days. discovered his total uufitness for the
place, and he too has resigned and been ap-
pointed Minister to France. It is we'll that
there are no difficult questions to be adjust
ed between this government and that of
Louis Napoleon, for in that event Wash
burne's last appointment would be equally
as great an error as his first. He is succeed
ed by Hamilton Fish. Of New York. Mr..
Fish is great and decided Improvement on
Washburne. Although not brilliant
statesman, he is a gentleman of acknowl-
edged ability and of irreproachable integrity.
He has been Governor of his State and has
served with credit ard distinction in the
United States Senate. He is we'll advanced
in years. and were it not for bis admitted
purity of character it might be feared that
he would give to his dedsrtment "an an
cient and .fsh-hke smeI.'
Gen. Schofeld retires from the war Office
to make room for Gen. John A. Rawlins.
although Grant had stated that he would
| appoint civilian to that office But it
must be remembered that this is to be pc
culiarly military administration.
Thus ends the first chapter in the history
of General Grants first weeks efforts at