Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-03-17
From our Washington Correspondent,
WASHINGTON. D. O. Mareh %. 1862.

clearly indicate thnt all the hopes and oxpecta-
| tons Of the loyal masses who elected himi ato "
be fully realized The Cabinet, as now QrgahNvu'
gives the greatest satisfaction to oil those Wn9
desire 10 zee the experiment of one united ana
harmonious republican administration OF the
country. II is recognized rs being strong, homo
rcncous and cohesive and rs fairly representing
/ the men and principles 80 emphatically endorsed
hy the people at the late Presidential election.
This arrangement Of the new administration
gives death blow to the evil expectations oil those
who boped that an occasion of difference would
soon arise between President Grant and Congress,
and assures the country that the days OF Presiden-
tnl nfdclity and treachery are over ana that TOT
four years ut least, under Gen. Grant, we MaH
have peace
The nomination of A. 4. Stewart as Secretary
of the Treasury, was regarded generally here as
a mistake. and for a time created some apprehen-
sons that unpleasant consequences might grow
out Of it. Ii is singular fact that the appoint
mcnt was made, and confirmed by the Senate WIN
out the fact having been discovered by the Fresl,
idcnt. or BY any Of the astutc lawyers or learned
Judges in the Senate that the law Of l7sO, organ
King the Treasury Department, prohibited any
one engaged in trade or commerce from holding
Office under the Department
As soon az the fact was discovered that Mr..
Stewart was thus disqualified. the President, in
brief message, asked Of Congress to exempt HIM
from the operation of the law. Aside from the
U
or the danger of establishing so dangerous prec-
cdent as To attempt to exempt any man from the
opcratiOn of q general law, there was some dis
trust felt hy tho tariff men account OF his Tree
/ trade pr1cliyitics while his connection with the
| Philadelphia movement, three years ago, caused
| him t9 he viewed with some suspicion by the more
radical Republicans. Coupled with this, was OBJ
served the fact that the old Democratic ring in
| the Treasury Department, which, FOR four years
past. has maintained its position in the Appoint
mcnt Bureau with its members and allies Occu-
pyiug the position Of heads OF the other bureaus
were, for some mysterious reason smiling and
cyultout Perhaps their good humor was only
excited by the calculation that Mr.. Stcwart--not
/ being q party man, would not disturb or Interfere
with their little, close corporation arrangement.
Whatever were their hopes w however they
were excited, they were soon cruelty disappointed,
and their look of quiet satisfaction and ,oll-assur-
nnce changed % one of nervous anxiety and ap-
/ prehension.
As soon as the insupemhe nature Of the obsta-
Giles in the way Of Mr. Stewards entering upon
the discharge Of his duties became fully manifest,
General Grant with his characteristic straight
/ iorwardncss, promptly sent 20 the Senate and
withdrew his message asking for special legisa-
I ton ia behalf Of Mr. Stewart, and Mr. $. there
upon in very graceful and patriotic letter de
clined the appointment The next day the name
Of Hon. George ). Boutwell, was sent 10 the Senate
/ for Confirmation as Secretary of the Treasury ac-
companied by that of Hon. Hamilton Fish as Sec
rotary OF State, General John A. Rawlins as Sec
rotary OF War, and Hon. +. B. Washburnc (who
| had enioycd the honor OF being nominally Secre-
tary of state for five days. as Minister to France
These nominations were promptly confirmed, and
thus the Cabinet was satisfactorily and finally
| settled, with the exception that some one else
may be eventually selected in the place Of Judge
lloar as Attorney General, to obyiate the holding
Of two Cabinet offices By Massachusetts
/ Gov. Boutwell, is peculiarly qualified by edu-
cation, experience, and 10y character, 10 wisely
and well administer the affairs of the Treasury
| Department, and to successfully and satisfactory
/ ~ control the immense financial interests Of the
nation. lie entered public life in 1910. and has
thus had over quarter Of a century experience
as legislator and an administrator Of public af-
/ fairs. lie served as a representative in the Mas
/ sachusetts legislature from 1912 10 1850 and was
subsequently made governor Of the State lie
was an able and leading member of the 3sth.
18th and 10th Congresses. lie organized the bu-
reau Of Internal Revenue, and served as Commits
sioner from July 1862 to March 1864, when he
/ resigned, 10 take his seat in Congress
\ man Of incorruptibe personal integrity.
whiskey rings and revenue robbers will find
| IN him an uncompromising and active enemy
| Thoroughly acquainted with the mnutest details
OF the Internal Revenue System, and thoroughly
| IN harmony with Commissioner DelanO, the peO-
/ pie may confidently expect that under him the
luN@ ioI lut cuiicclluu OF national taxes VIII De
rgldly enforced, and the proceeds honestly ac-
counted for
In speaking Of the Internal Revenue Bureau.
must not omit to mention the notorious j VI
Buckley, who will be remembered asa seryile tool
OF Andrew johnson, who in the character and
capacity OF Acting Attorney Geneml some three
years ago astonished the world with the facility
with which he ground out opinions to order A
lew months ago he was appointed Solicitor Of
Internal Revenue BY the President, and inmedi-
ately mnde himself ridiculous, by prelcrrine
grave charges against Commissioner Rollins.
which upon investigation always proved utterly
groundess and empty Partly As a reward for
past services, and as possibly convenient tool
for the future aud partly as an annoyance to Mr.
Rollins, he was kept in his position by Mr. john
son. shortly after the inauguration Commits
sioner Rollins addressed the following pointed
and pungent letter 10 President Grant which was
forwarded with the endorsements which follow
Treasury DEPARTMENT, Office Of Internal Rcue-
nue., Washington, March 6, 1863. Sir: John NJ
Buckley was appointed solicitor in August last.
On the 2d day of the following month"; requested
his removal upon the ground that he was q will
lul peUurer, or 50 weak and crcdul0us as 10 make
him the convenient tool Of corrupt and malicious
men.
Not having changed my opinion of him since
at time, have assigned him no duty whatever
and for the last five months do not know that he
has even ostensibly done a single hours labor for
the Government.
Meanwhile have repeatedly urged his removal,
ami he has repeatedly drawn his monthly SALARY,
Mt the rate Of s. 900 per annum.
Mr. Buckley is VIGOROUSLY unqualified for his
place. do not know that he even claims 10 be a |
lawyer certain it is that he never undertook the
practice OF law, and the farce of his employment
as Solicitor OF Internal Revenue | do not believe
should be continued under the present admins |
tration.
The Acting Secretary Of the Treasury, unnd
Nised ny YOU may hesitate, perhaps, to change
the officers OF the Department, in anticipation Of
the early appointment and qualification Of its per-
manent Secretary, and | respectfully recommend, |
therefore, that you requst him 10 dismiss Mr. /
Buckley Immediately
am, very respectfully
- H. A. ROLLINS, Commissioner.
To The President
Endorsement.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March s. ls69.--Respect-
fully referred to the Hon the Secretary OF the
Treasury. The services of Mr. John NJ. Buckley.
Solicitor Of Internal Revenue, will be no longer
required by the Government
BY order of the President.
Signed Horace PORTER,
Breyet Brgadier General, Secretary.
Upon this letter the following Endorsement was
made -
TREAsuRY DEPARTMENT, March z, lsG9.-Joba
NJ BRekiy, Esq, Solicitor Of Internal Repenue.
-or am requested by the President 10 inform
YOU that your services as Solicitor of Internal
Revenue are no longer required by the Govern
ment You are therefore hereby removed from
the oiice Very respectfully,
(Signed) j. r. HARTLEY.
Acting Secretary of the Treasury.
OF course from the date OF the endorsements
Mr.. Binckley ceased to draw his $1,000 a wear
rom the government, which so excited him that
he went around town breathing out threatenings
md slaughter against Commissioner Rollins
On Friday morning last Mr.. Buckley encoun-
Tered Mr.. Rollins ON + street, near the Treasury
Throwing aside his hat and coat striking n he
rolc attitude, and fourishng heavy cane, he
kindly offered to confer the honor OF a tbresb-
ny upon the Ex-Commissioner Not wish
ng to indulge in the pleasant recreation Of
4 street fight, the dignifed Commissioner quiek-
med his step and passed on, pursued at a
iaie distance by the belligerent but cautions
Binekley. As soon as Mr. Rollins had entered
The Internal Revenue Office, Mr.. Buckley conn
recovered his hat and coat, and swag-
sered up Fourteenth street, congratulating him.
elf upon his gallant action and his bloodess VIC
ory. Alter going about two squares. he unex-
oectedly encountered Deputy Commissioner liar
and, whom he accepted as a substitute for the es.
iaped Commissioner, upon whom he proceeded To