The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-03-12


AD0LPiiE X. BORiE,......or fxssriNAsn'
20, Secretary Of War, y
Gss JOHN NJ scnoFIELD,....os hlrots
Fsr attorney General,
4. LOCKWOOD IIoAR,. ..oT MASSACHUSETTS.
These nominations were all unanimously con-
frmed. General Sherman has been appointed
and confirmed General, and Phil. Sheridan,
Lieut. General President Grant sent mes
sage to Congress asking the repeal Of the law
Of 1889 which provides that no person engaged
in carrying on trade or commerce should act in
any Office instituted by the act establishing the
treasury Department. The following letter Of
Mr. Stewart will explain the matter further.
The President has accepted his resignation. and
his successor has not been appointed ut this
time Of writing; 90.
WASHINGTON, Mar, 1869.
To The President:
Sir,-Appreciating the high honor conferred
by your nomination and the unanimous cOntr-
nation BY the Senate Of myself 10 the Office OF
the S,cretlry OF the Treasury, | rgret that
circumstances beyond our control compel me TO
decline. Could the difficulties presented by the
provisions Of the act Of 1889, which In organic
ing the Department Of the Treasury prohibits
the Secretary from being directly o. indirectly
connected or interested in carrying on the busi-
ness of trade or commerce, be overcome by any
reasonable sacrifice personal to myself, l would
willingly make il. would promptly transfer
To the hands Of Gentlemen in whom the public
have full confidence, every interest in the gains
and profits that could possibly accrue TO myself
In the business ofmy house during my official
term, TO be applied TO such public charities as
their judgement should dictate, and have pro-
posed and sought by appropriate instruments to
accomplish that end; but serious differences OF
opinion have been expressed as TO whether that
course would satisfy the requirements Of the
law. Although | will not hesitate 10 make the
appropriation, provided II would enable me 70
accept the Office and thus unite my efforts with
your own and those OF other members Of your
cabinet In restoring economy, honesty, and
strict frurality In the administration Of the
government and lining as rapidly as possible
from the people the great burden Of taxation,
debt and extravagance resting u pom them, yet
the business relations ofmy firm, In It's connec-
tons with others largely interested in their con-
tinuance, are such that they cannot be severed
summarily, nor can my interest In II be wholly
AMI absolutely disposed Of without producing
great embarrassment and loss 10 those with
whom have been connected cannot consent
"a enter upon the administration Of the laws by
any act or course that may be construed into q
,lisrrgSrd or violation Of law, and while there
fore regret that the plan proposed Is deemed
Inadequate 10 relieve me from legal, and as 1t
seems 10 me, technical disabilities, yield to
the better judgement Of other, rather than seem
70 lie willing to accept petition in disregard OF
Law. In finally renewing the declinaton which
was rendered at the outset Of these objections,
repeat to you, Mr.. President, my thanks for
honor done me in offering this high Position,a AMI
assure you that you win have my earnest e.
forts 10 sustain your administration in carrying
ont the wise and salutary measures Indicated by
YOU on entering upon your Office.
Sincerely your friend,
Mr.. washburne win remain but q short time
in the State Department. IL isprclicted quite
confidently that Gen. Dix. now on his way
home from the French mission, will be his sue
cessor.
We give up large share Of the JOURNAL 70
the following description Of the Cabinet
n,s SECRETARY or srArE.
In proof Of the faet that the cabinet Is chosen
rrom personal and not at all from geographical
considerations, we need only point out that the
new Secretary Of State, the Secretary OF War,
and President Grant himself. are all from Hi
nois. Mr.. Eihu ID. washburne may perhaps
he claimed Ms half a New England man, since
he MAS born in Liyernore. in Maine, and still
comes hack every year or two 10 the oil home
stead. meeting there his many brothers scatter~i
over the West. and nearly al in public life.
Mr.. washburne is in his sixty-third year; but
though disease has had many hard struggles
with him Of late, he looks hardly 20 old rs that.
and enters into the debate In the House with
the fervor and sometimes the passion Of q young
man. Like the new Speaker Of the House, he
served I'm apprenticeship in his boyhood IN the
printing Office Of the Kcnnebcc Journal. But
journalism did not suit him, and he soon turned
his attention 20 the law, and went 10 Harvard TO
complete his professional education before re-
moving % Illinois. lie chose Galena ~ his
abiding place and thus accidentally laid the
foundation for that association with Ulysses =.
Grant which has now resulted in his appoint
mcnt 10 the highest place In the Presidents
Gin. He Was hrst elected 10 Ccngress In 1852,
and has held the seat % which he was chosen
in that year uuiutcrrupteily ever since, holding
|, plarc In nine successive Houses, and earning
the title Of "father" Of the legislative holy.
lie presided for many years over the committee
of commerce. During the war he hccame IN
some measure the defender OF General Gran,
against the numerous attacks which were aimsl
nj him In the earlier days Of his military career,
though be Ind never met his una-saming towns
nan in the days when they had lived ss neigh
bors in Galens. He was the author OF the bal
creating the lieutcnant-gcnerslship for Grant,
and stood BY him On many occasions when
friend. were friends indeed. Mr.. wsshburns
has been constantly and closely intimate with
the General Of the army during the last hye
years. A few years ago his falling health COM
PEELED him 10 20 to Europe; but his scjourn In
Paris under skillfal carr rcstorcd him IN great
measure. lie has BEEN often spoken Of in con-
ncction with the administration. but more
frequently - likely to have foreign mission
than In connection with the Secretary Of State.
rnE SECRETARY or rux TREASURY.
The selection Of Mr.. Alexander T. Stewart Cor
the most important position under the new ad.
ministration, while hardly loss Of surprise &c
the country than those Of most Of his associates,
is one likely 10 contribute both character and
viror 70 the cabinet. Mr.. Stewart Is bushes,
man, has never been politician and never he'll
Office. He has for several years past had III,
largest income Of any individual In the Unite,
States and his fortune Is nov only second 10
IL II does not equal that OF William ID. Asior
Va - h~~~n liz n uoor man with ncifhel