The New York herald., 1869-03-09
WASH GT0N
s-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>~~~~-
THE CABINET DIFFICULTY.
Solution Of the Problem Of Mr.. Stewards
lneligibilty.
NE wITHDRAwS FROM BUSINESS.
Donation of His Income to Ma
ti0nal and New York City
Charities.
A Coach and Six Driven Through
the Law Of 170o.
REMOVAL OF SOLICITOR BINCKLEY
A Short Session Agreed Upo1
in a Caucus Of Senators.

%
!. in a Caucus Of Senators.
THE STANDING COMMITTEES.
WASHINGTON, March 8. 1869.
Mr.. Stewards Case-A Plot Of Politicians 20
Control the Treasury-False RumOrs Of His
Resignation and Mr.. BOutwclrs Appoint.
ment- General Excitement in Town.
It viii be godsend to all classes here and to the
country at large when Mr. Stewards is decided.
At present 1t is provocative OF more botheration,
soreness contradiction and hard lying than any one
matter that has developed itself here for at least
twelvemonth; and al this unpleasant result has
been brought about not so much by the resurrected
statute OF 1889 as by the scheming OF an unscru-
pulous political cabal having for its aim the
control Of the Treasury Department. It seems
pretty well established now that the rumor started
last night and industrtousy circulated this morn
ing. about Mr. Stewart's Intended withdrawal and
Governor Boutweil's elevation to the Treasury was
only part OF the work OF this cabal The object in
view might not readily strike every one. 1t was
simply this:-Mr. Stewart had authorized the state
ment that unless Congress should promptly repeal
the disabling section he would certainly retire, not
deeming It Of sufilcienr importance to raise
contest over matter which to him person
ally was Of no great moment. The cabal
then resolved to do something that would
have tendency to make Mr.. Stewart believe Presi-
dent Grant desired him to resign and at the Same
time cause delay in the action Of the Senate to-day
Both these objects. they believed. would be accom-
pshed by the circulation Of rumor that Mr.. Stew
art had resigned and Governor Boutwell, was to be
nominated in his place. The thing was agreed upon
IN secret concave aad then the was set anoat
so that 1t might not only reach the ears Of leading
correspondents but also be brought before Mr. Stew.
art himself.
plot succeeded with many Of the newspaper cor
respondents but failed with Mr.. Stewart The latter
had been In company with the President too much OF
the day and knew his feelings too well to be deceived
in that way. But 1t 10 surprising how generally the
story gained crcdence here to-day. Early In the
forenoon It was all over town, In everybody
and talked Of as thing that was beyond ques-
tion. In the departments especially the Treasury,
1t was regarded as something about as fixed that
Grant was President The clerks OF the Treasury
were 30 full OF It that as rule they could do no
busfness-they wanted to talk about Stewards re-
gnation and about his successor. Somo OF them had
seen the man who saw the other man who saw the
letter OF resignation. How could any one doubt
he quoted whole sentence in the letter and parts OF
other sentences The clerks discussed not only
Boutwell's fitness but the qualifications Of score
Of other persons deemed likely for the position In
case Boutwell, should not turn out to be the lucky
man after Oil.
Rumors Thickening.
During the afternoon the thing got magnifed to
still larger proportions Reports were circulated
that Boutwell's name had not only been sent to the
reports set the Treasury clerks In furor, and
IN an instant made them all profound admirers OF
Governor Boutwell,. They discovered that they had
ali known from the start that Boutwell, would be the
man; that he was the most 1T and proper person;
that he was On eminent nnancier, and man whose
like the world had never seen before. Anybody who
ventured To suggest that they had been misnformed
was drowned In torrent OF contradictions, and any
who advised them to keep cool until they might
be certain was told indeed that they knew their
business and were not to be scared from honestly
expressing their opinions rs free American citizens.
Many OF these same outspoken clerks had been aud-
ing to the sky Others than Boutwell, only brief period
before. Most OF them, no doubt, tomorrow Will he
striving to cover their retreat from their boldness
to-day by ingenious explanations II not downright
denias.
The SENATE Dubious.
But the Senate was the place where the greatest
interest centred The rumors mad gathered an un-
usual throng there. and the galleries and lobbies
were crowded. IL was expected that q message
would come from President Grant informing Senators
OF Mr.. Stewards withdrawal, and asking them to
confirm Boutwell, or some one else for the Treasury
Department. The plan OF the cabal was working
famousy, one part Of II at least The public was
humpugvcd. and the illustrious Senate was in
fog about the matter. Many Senators believed the
momcntarily for General Porter's appearance with a
message from the White House, But an hour wen,
around, and no message. Something must be wrong,
thought Senators. Half an hour more. and no
message. There was q hitch certainly now; no
message would come and so senator Grimes moved
for an adjournment, which was carried. This
threw the spectators into fever. What could
be up now, thought everybody. All attempts
TO fathom the movement proved fruitless. Senat
ora appealed TO by the spectators could throw
no light upon It; all they knew was that
they knew nothing whatever about 1t; they wanted
Information quite as much as anybody else. It was,
therefore, no use to hang about the Senate waiting
for anything TO turn up. The crowd left the Senate
and the Capitol and scattered about
MIR. stewart has Not Resigned.
Just about this time new discovery was made
II was found that Stewart had not resigned, but, on
the contrary, that he had made proposal 70 over
come the difficulty In hrs way that struck everybody
who heard OF II with complete amazcment This
proposition was nothing short Of transfer during
the term Of ms service a. Secretary Of the Treasury
Of MS entire interest In the profits OF his immense
business, the proceeds during such time TO be DO
voted to chastabie purposes In the city OF New York
six millions yesr donated 10 the charities of New
York only fancy III
But before dwelling oh.hs oYcr more fully At this
point let me 90 back little md explain what oc
Cured earlier in the day. Aft,- breakfast ,n ,na
morp,y;,. s-.r's Mr.. stewart and s.duc IIton wen,
'ae White House and had i6.., ,ntsrv,o, !.
49,. s.. w lles'us. Mr.. stewart told the pres,den,
80 'es'sna.on vas at his disposal at any Vino
the slightest degree by hs fr,anas,. =. ,,'
H'Nh''oup lOr MN,