The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-03-10
WASHINGTON.

THE PRESIDENT wITHDRAws HIS REQUEST.
| WASHINGTON, March President Grant
has sent In message to the Senate withdraw
ing his request for repeal of the act of Sept.
"a, lIS9, relating to officers of the Treasury
Department.
| Large crowds are at the door of the Senate
chamber to-day, and much anxiety is every
| where exhibited regarding Cabinet arrange
ments, especially among office seekers. Inc
galleries of both houses were filled to their ut
most capacity.
ME- BoRIE AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Secretary Borie reached the Navy Depart
mont shortly after O'Clock this afternoon, ac-
| companied by Vice-Admiral Porter, and re-
| seived the chief officers of the various bureaus
and several naval officers, in his Office and
| subsequently had q thorough inspection of the
different offices in the Department.
A. T. STEWART RRTIREs.
This morning A. 7. Stewart prepared and
executed transfer OF hts entire interest in the
profits of the business of A. T. Stewart & Co.,
during his official term, to be applied to chari-
VIM. f. Dodge, Jas T. Roosevelt and Henry
Hilton. This course met the general approval
OF some of the leading Senators and members
OF the House, but did not satisfy others, who
insisted that Stewart could not qualify short
| OF an absolute sale and disposal of all the
property he now owns connected with his
business. When the transfer was yesterday
proposed to the President he approved of it
| provided it could be done to meet the legal OBJ
| jections, and expressed his high appreciation
| of Mr.. Stewards purpose, but at the same time
said he felt scarcely warranted in doing SO, be-
cause Mr.. Stewart would have to make SO
great sacrifice; and not only at this time but
| in the evening he expressed himself to the
same effect to many members of Congress who
called upon him with reference to the SeeIeta-
ryship. In this way publicity was given to
Mr.. Stewards 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 construed into an evasion of its
spirit. Under these circumstances Mr.. Stew
art was prepared for either emergency, and
having reflected upon the matter he determin-
cd to leave the question to the result of a con-
ference with the President. In this spirit they
met this afternoon, and the conclusion at which
they arrived was that it would be less embar-
RAISING to the administration of President
Grant for Mr.. Stewart to place in his hands a
formal declination of the Secrstaryship and in
this manner avoid any opposition by those whe
consider the law must be strictly complied
with. The interview was long and marked
with the utmost cordially.
The following is Mr.. Stewards letter:
Washington, D. c., March 8, 1869.-To the
President-Sir: Approaching the high honor
conferred by your nomination and the unani-
the office of Secretary Of the Treasury, re.
greet that circumstances beyond our control
compel me to decline. Could the difficulties
presented by the provisions of the act of 1889,
which, In organizing the Department of the
Treasury, prohibit the Secretary from being
directly or indirectly concerned or interested
in carrying on the business of trade or COM
msrce, be overcome by any reasonable sacrifice
personal to myself, would willingly make it;
would promptly transfer to the hands of gen.
tlAmau whom fha ny1hl hoe &x.J1
every interest in the gains and profits that
could possibly occur to myself in the business
of my house during my official term, to be APP
Piled to such public charities as their judg-
ment should dictate, and have proposed and
sought by the execution of appropriate instru-
ments to accomplish that end; but serious diff
ferences of opinion have been expressed as to
whether that course would satisfy the require
msnts of the law, although will not hesitate
to make this appropriation, provided it would
enable me to accept the office, and unite my
efforts with your own and those of other mem
bers of your Cabinet in restoring economy,
honesty and strict frugality in the administra-
ton OF the government, and lift, AZ rapidly as
may be practicable from the people. the
great burden of taxation, debt and extrava.
gance resting upon them. Yet the business
relations of my firm in its connections with
others largely interested in their continuance
areisuch that they cannet be severed summa-
rily, nor can my interest in it be wholly and
absolutely disposed of without producing great
embarrassment and loss to those with whom
have been connected. cannot consent to en-
ter upon the administration of laws by any act
or course that may be construed into disre-
gard or violation Of law, and while, therefore,
regret that the plan proposed is deemed in
adequate to relieve me from legal, and it seems
to me technical disabilities, yield to the bet
ter Judgment of others rather than seem to be
willing to accept position in disrespect Of
law. In finally renewing the declination, which
Woa Tor dot f1a sc kI,1n, oIs
repeat to you, Mr.. President, my thanks for
the honor done me in offering this high posi-
ton, and assure you that you will have my
earnest efforts to sustain your administration
in carrying out the wise and salutary meas
ures indicated by you on entering upon your
Office,
Sincerely your friend,
ALEX. T. STEWART.