The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-03-18

The following is Secretary Stew.
arts letter declining a position in the
Cabinets
WASHINGTON, March q, 80.
To tho President
DEAR SlR-Appreoiatiug the high
honor conferred 10y your nomination,
aud tho unanimous confirmation by
the Senate Of myself to the Office OF
Secretary Of the Treasury, I reg ct
that circumstances beyond our con-
troll compols mo to decline. Could
the difficulties presented by the pro-
visions of tho act Of 1889, which, in
organizing the Department Of the
Treasury prohibits tho Secretary from
being directly or indirectly concern
ed or interested in carrying on the
business of trade or commerce, be
overcome by any reasonable sacrifice
personal to myself would willingly
make 1t. | would promptly transfer
to the hands Of gentlemen, Ia whom
the public have full confidence, oy-
cry interest in the gains aud profits
that could possibly accrue to myself
in the business Of my house. during
my official torn, to be applied to such
public charities as their Judgment
should dictate aud | have proposed
aud sought, by the execution of ap-
propriate instruments, to accomplish
that end but serious differences of
opinion have been expressed as to
whether that course would satisfy the
requirements Of the law. Although
| will not hesitate to make this ap
preparation, provided it would enable
me to accept the office, and thus unite
my forts with your own and other
members of your Cabluetln restoring
economy aud strict frugality in tho
administration Of the Government, =,
aud lift, as rapidly as practicable,
from the people the great burdens of
taxation, debt andox;ravagauco rest
ing upon them yet the business re-
latlons of my firm is in connection
with others largely interested in their
continuance, and, as such, they eau
not be severed summarily, nor eau
my Interest in it be wholly aud alb
solutcly disposed Of without produc.
ing great embarrassment and loss to
those with whom l have been con-
nected. / can not consout 20 enter
upon tho administration of laws by
any action or course that can be con.
strued nto disregard or violation
of the law; aud while, therefore, |
regret the plan proposed is deemed
inadequate to relieve from legal, and,
as il seems to me, technical disabii-
ties, | yield to the better Judgment
of others, rather than seem TO bo
willing to accept position in disre.
spect of law. In finally renewing
the declination which was rendered
at the outset OF these objections, 1
repeat to you, Mr.. President, my
thanks for the honor done me in of.
Gcriug me this high position, aud as.
sure you that you will have my earn.
est efforts to sustain your admins
trnticn in carrying out the wise aud
salutary measures indicated by you
on entering upon your Office.
Sincerely your friend.
ALEX. T. STEWART.
Every one will regret the necessi-
ty that caused Mr. Stewart to decline
the office which ho is so we'll quail
fed to fill. His appointment was
fully endorsed by the people and
gave renewed confidence that we were
to have a new era in governmental
matters. His offer to transfer his
business to trustees, who were to ap-
propriate the profits to public chari-
ties was manifest. To comprehend
the greatness Of the offer it is only
necessary to state that if he had hold
tho officO four years sic millions of
dollars would have been used for
charitable purposes. The people
will honor Mr.. Stewart for his good
and he retires with their
best wishes and veneration.