The Republican journal., 1869-03-11
Washington Matters.

W
At a late hour last night Speaker Blaine call
ed on the President and inquired whether he
proposed appointing Gov. Boutwell, to any
place in the Cabinet in case some contingency
might arise Mr.. Blaine said his reason for
asking was, that he was arranging the Com
mttees of the House, and if anything was to
happen whereby Mr. Boutwell, would be taken
out of the House, it would seriously dlsarrange
the Committees unless he knew in advance.
He had been informed that, in case Seere tary
Stewart resigned, Gov. Boutwell, would pro-
baby 20 into the Treasury. The President
replied that Mr.. Blaine, as Speaker OF the
House, and under the circumstances, had
a right to know. He would, therefore, be
frank and say TO him that Mr. Stewart had
concluded to resign; that the Massachusetts
delegation would withdraw Judge Hoar at the
attels request, and he would appoint Gov.
Boutwell, as Secretary OF the Treasury. 1t is
said that Mr.. Stewart, after careful canvass
of both Houses, found that it would be impos
sible to have the joint resolution passed re-
moving his disabilities. He theu signitied his
willingness TO relieve the President Of embar
rassment by resigning, and recomm ended d.
\. Wells for Secretary of the Treasury.
1t is reported this evening that Mr.. Stewart
in an interview with Gen. Grant this morning,
verbally placed his resignation at the latter's
disposal. Stewart says, however, that if nee
essarv he will transfer all his private business
interests to the control of three trustees, who
Shall have exclusive management OF it and dis
tribute the profits to the orphans Of soldier.
and sailors. He is willing but not anxious to
accept the Secretaryship.
WASHINGTON, March Q.
This morning, \. /. Stewart prepared and
executed transfer OF his entire interest in the
profits of the business of A. T. Stewart & Co,
during his official term, to be applied. to chart
/, NT,, tc+p Tn,r
VIM. Z. Dodge, James I. Roosevelt and Henry
Hilton.
This course met General Grants approval,
and also the approval OF some leading Senators
and Representatives, but did not satisfy others
who insisted that Mr.. Stewart could not qualify
short of an absolute sale and disposal OF all
property he now owns, connected with his bus-
ness. Wien the transfer was yesterday pro-
posed to the President, he approved of il, pro-
yideu It could be done to meet the legal ohjec-
tons, and expressed his high appreciation of
Mr.. Stewards proposal, bat al the same time
said he felt scarcely warranted i'll doing 50, be-
cause Mr.. Stewart would have to make so
great sacrifice, and not only at this time, but
IN the evening lie expressed himself to the
same effect to many members OF Congress VINO
called upon him with reference TO the Sccreta-
rys.IjP.
In bis way publicity was given 10 Mr.. Ste
warts purpose. The consequence of this has
led to many expressions Of opinion concurring
in The view that although this would meet the
letter OF the statute. it might possibly be con-
stiued into an evasion Of its spirit. Under
these circumstances Mr. Stewart was prepared
for either emergency, and having reflected up
on the matter. determined 10 leave the queS-
ton 70 the result of conference W it'll the Pres
ident.
In this spirit, they met this afternoon, and
the conclusion at which they arrived was. that
it would be less embarrassing to the adminis-
tration of President Grant for Mr.. Stewart to
place in his hands formal decination Of the
SccretaIyship, and in this manner avoid any
comment by those who consider the law must
be strictly complied with.