The New York herald., 1869-03-10
WASH GTON
RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY STEWART
The Transfer Of His Business
Decided insufficient.
TEXT OF THE DOCUMENT.
Withdrawal Of the Presidents Message
on the Subject.
FIRST MEETING OF THE CABINET.
Reception at the White
~~~~>~~~~-~~~-~~~-
Important Change Of System at
the War Department.
The General-in-C Chief Assumes the
Whole Administrator of
Army Affairs.
Passage Again Of the Bill to Repeal
the Tenure Of Office Act
in the House.
Another Avoidance of 1t i'm
the Senate.
The General-in-Ch Assumes the
Whole Administration Of
Army Affairs.
Passage Again Of the Bill to Repeal
the Tenure Of Office Act
in the House.
Another Avoidance of 1t i'm
the Senate.


saryship Of tho Treasury-His Reasons for
not Accepting
The following is Mr.. Stewards letteradeclining the
once Of Secretary Of the Treasury
WASHINGTON, March Q, 1862
TO THE PRESIDENT
your nomination and the unanimous confirmation
by the Senate OF myself to the once Of Secretary OF
the Treasury, l regret that circumstances beyond
cutes presented by the provisions OF the act Of 7s9
which, In organizing the Department Of the Trea.
Indirectly concerned or Interested In carrying on the
business OF trade or commerce, be overcome by any
reasonable sacrifice personal to myself would will
hands Of gentlemen In whom the public have full
confidence every interest in the gains and profits that
house during my ofciai term to be applied to such
public charities a. their judgment should dictate,
and have proposed and sought, by the execution or
But serious differences Of opinion have been ex-
pressed as to whether that course would satisfy the
to make this appropriation provided it would enable
me TO accept the once and thus unite my Efforts
with your own and those Of other members Of your
rugaiity in the adrninistraton Of the government
and ft as rapidly as practicable from the people the
resting upon them, vet the business relations Of my
arm, IN its connections with others largely inter-
ested In their are such that they cannot
wholly and absolutely disposed OF without produc-
ing great embarrassment and loss to those with
to enter upon the administration OF laws by
any act or course that may be construed
thereiors regret tas the plan proposed T Is deemed
inadequate TO leIieve me from legal and az 1t seems
to me technical disabities. ! yield TO the better
Judgment Of others rather than seem to be willing to
accept position IN disrespect OF law.
In finally renewing the decnation which was
you, Mr.. President, my thanks for the honor done
me IN oertng me this high position and assure you
that You win have my earnest efforts to sustain your
administration In carrying out the wise and sautary
measures indicated by you on entering upon your
' ALExR. T. STEWART
The Declination Accepted-Enorts to Induce
Mr.. Stewart TO Hold the Once.
The President accepted the decIlnation, ami thus
the office OF Secretary OF the Treasury became vacant
1t may be stated that from the very beginning tine
President and Mr.. Stewart were in daily intercourse
consulting to the BY which the latter could
free himself from the disability OF the law. 1t Is
said that no legal gentlemen who had been spoken
TO upon the subject expressed an opinion that there
would be violation OF the terms OF the act in Mr..
Stewards accepting the ONCE after having
made the transfer, but that many others thought
IL might be considered dsadvantageous to
have the spirit OF the law In the slightest degree
invaded. This view eventually controlled Mr..
Stewart and in order to remove all objections he
declined the appointment. Ever since there
have been doubts about Mr.. Stewards taking pos
session Of the Treasury Department, teIegrams from
leading merchants have been received urging him
IN the strongest terms to make any sacrifice, even
to the extent OF abandoning once all interests in
his business. to retain the ONCE and advising him
der circumstances TO decline It. Some OF the lead
ing members ofthe two houses Of Congress expressed
to him similar views. At the lowest estimate, by
the means Mr. stewart proposed, at least S6.0O000o
would have been given TO the charities In New York
within the four years. Official term. Mr.. Stewart
will return to New York tomorrow, before which
he will have an interview with President Grant
The Influences Which Induced Mr.. stewards
DecIinnfion.
The story OF A. r. Stewards decination OF the
position as Secretary Of the Treasury s not gene
rally known In Washington tonight. Those who
have got over the lying rumors Of yesterday, that
Grant had selected Boutwell, to I'LL the place which
Stewart was unable to accept, have settled down
INTO the belief that Stewart Is now bona fde secre-
tary Of the Treasury has taken the oath OF ONCE,
and entered upon the discharge OF his duties. There
are few, in fact who know that Mr.. Stewart
has formally declined, and fewer stin who have
any idea OF who will finally direct the
operations OF the national counting house. The
narrative, however, Is easily told OF how Mr..
Stewart FIRST deciding in truly princely manner to
transfer the profits OF his concern to charitable
purposes was afterwards forced, in obedience to the
claor Of certain political lawyers to surrender the
honor conferred by General Grant and retire alto
gether from the prominent point OF attention
he occupied before the nation. The highest,
best and most legal minds OF the Senate
and House OF Representatives expressed them
selves In favor Of the proposition made by
Mr. Stewart, and declared It perfectly within the
purvew OF the statute. The other minds OF both
Houses that have never displayed much either OF
liberality or sincere patriotism, thought the con-
trary wsy, and were ready TO attribute all manner
OF extravagant motives to Mr.. stewart in his desire
70 obtain the position OF Secretary OF the Treasury
They also ready to contest the question OF re-
peang the act affecting his eligibility to tine once.
This class comprised many Senators ana Rcpresen.
tativcs, and their opinions and intentions were well
and widely circulated.
This morning the influence which this class OF
men exercised made itself felt. Judge Hilton had
the evening previous received the opinions OF half
score distinguished lawyers that Mr.. stewards ac-
fion permitted him 10 take the ONCE and the oath
pertaining thereto without mental reservation. ON
The strength OF these declarations aud the expressed