Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-02-19
Gen. Grants Election.

HIS RESPONSE TO THE OFFICIAL NOTICE.
The votes of the several States for
President and Vice President were count
ed last week in the presence of both
houses of Congress, and stood, Grant and
Colfax pa, Seymour and Blair II. A
joint committee of both houses of Con-
gress was appointed to notify Gen. Grant
of his election, who performed that duty
on Saturday. Senator Morton, after the
usual salutations, as chairman, said they
were committee to notify him of his
election, and that the result of the late
election was exceedingly gratifying to
his countrymen, and he fully believed
that General Grant would bring to bear
in his new sphere of duty those sterling
qualities he had displayed on another
field of duty, and he felt assured that his
administration would receive the cordial
support of his countrymen, and among
them those politically opposed to him.
Gen. Grant said in reply: " will in
form the committee that my best efforts
will be used to conduct my administra-
ton so as to secure the best interests of
the country, and to call around me as.
my assistants such men as in my belief
will be thoroughly able and efficient. At
least my whole attention shall be direct
ed to that end. If should fail in max
ing my first choice of assistants and of
ficers / trust that a second or even third
trial will result more successfully. In the
matter of removals / shall be governed
alone by the interests of the service. |
should just as soon remove from their
positions my own appointees as l should
those of my predecessor. Pause There
is one other matter it may be proper to
mention here, for it may be that some
thing of the kind is eApected of me, that
is the composition of my Cabinet l
have always felt that il would be indeli-
cate and premature ON my part to an
nounce whom l Intend to invite into my
Cabinet, or even to consult with friends
in regard to their selection. He said he
had no doubt that the men he had de.
cided upon in his own mind to invite in
to his Cabinet were such men as his best
friends would not object to, and he had
no doubt that they would give universal
satisfaction. He had ascertained whom
he thought would be suitable men for
these positions, and without inviting, he
meant to choose them. He continued
am not prepared even now to announce
the names of the gentlemen whom in
tend offering positions in my Cabinet,
and l hope this course will meet the
wishes of my friends. Cat this point
Senator Morton bowed acquiescence.)
General Grant continued: Until l
have made nominations to the Senate,
do not think / shall make any declara-
ton whatever as to who shall select for
any position in my Cabinet. The inter-
view then terminated.
Gen. Grant spoke without any reserve,
and with the greatest franKness and cour-
tesy and his remarks were received by
his distinguished visitors with every mark
OF interest and appreciation. Afterward
Mr.. Pruyn OF the Committee, addressed
the General very briefly to the effect
that while the party with which he was
identified differed politically from the
President elect, he desired to assure him
that his administration in carrying ont
the principles which he had mentioned
would have their hearty support and CO.
operation. The Committee then shook
hands with the General and retired
The Committee, after leaving Gen.
Grants Headquarters, proceeded to the
Capitol and waited upon Speaker Colfax
in his reception room. They presented
him with a certificate of his election as
Vice President, signed by the President
Of the Senate, and then seyerally con-
graduated him, to which friendly express
sions he responded as follows:
GENTLEMEN: Please convey to the
two Houses of Congress my acceptance
of the Office to which / have been elect
ed by the people of the United States,
and assure them that / shall endeavor to
prove worthy of this mark of confidence
BY fidelity to principle and duty"
The Washington correspondent of the
Tribune thus writes on Saturday: