The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-02
Opening OF the BaIl-Grant ExcItes the
Politicians.

a Washington special of the 25th alt, to the
Louisville Courier Journal says:
The politicians and the president elect have had
an exciting time to-day. The fact made public by
Gen. Grant on Tuesday, that he had decided 70
appoint q Pennsylvania in his cabinet has
brought TO Washington the leaders of the Radical
party in that State, most of whom, with as little
principle as good taste, have sought to dictate on
the mere basis of rumor regarding said appoint
ment. The result has already been strife and dis.
cord in the Republican ranks and commotion
among politicians. Tlis morning Hon. Alexander
Mcclure, chairman of the Pennsylvania State Re.
publican committee, went TO army headquarters
in company with one or two friends, and, sending
his card in, obtained an interview with the presi.
dent elect.
Mr. Mcclure, after the usual interchange Of
cOUTteses, said he had letter, signed by Judges
AgDew, Williams and Reed, of the Supreme Court
OF Pennsylvania, and other prominent men Of the
Republican party in the State, asking that the
State might be represented in the cabinet OF the
new administration, and respectfully suggesting
the name OF Ex-Governor Andrew q. Curtin for
position. He added that letter from Gov. Geary
and others was on the way warmly indorSing
Governor Curtin and recommending him to the
favor Of the president elect, in the hope that the
name would be well and fsvcrably received
General Grant replied to this that he had already
determined to give the State Of Pennsylvania q
place in the cabinet, and had selected a distin.
guished gentleman and member of the Repub.
lican party, whose name, however, he could not
mention at present. He felt confident that the
selection would meet the approval of the party
and the people of the State.
Mr.. Mcclure said he had noticed the names in
the newspapers of George II. Stuart, BOree, IA
Philadelphia merchan) and an ex.Judge Smith
as being likely to cover the name Of the party Sc
lected. but be hoped that such was not the case.
He felt justified as the chairman for several
years of the Republican State Committee, in say .
ing that these men were not active Republican
politicians they would not please the party, and
were not deserving, by work or devotion, of any
such high regard or compliment, or words to that
effect. Gen. Grant then said, 90 l do not see that
the politicians of Pennsylvania should mako up
my cabinet"
Mr.. Mcclure replied that, as for George II.
Stuart, he never knew him to DO active at Re-
publican meeting or to contribute otherwise to
the success of the Republican party. Indeed, be
could not be Looked upon as representative
. selection of Mr.. Stuart why" said General
Grant, with an expression of surprise " do not
see how any one can object to Mr.. Stuart. He
devoted himself during the war to his country,
contributing his personal services and hls means
for the soldiers Of the army butt with pause,
" 90 not understand me as saying that have
selected Mr.. Stuart az q member Of my cabinet"
Mr.. Mcclure aaid, " Mr. Stuart il not repre-
sentative Of the Republican patty General
Grant replied with emphasis: " Ihen / sm not q
representative Of the Republican party" The
president elect then moved towards q desk, indi
eating that he did not desire to pTololg the inter
view, and Mr.. Mcclure said: I" General i feel 1t
my duty 10 present the name Of Governor Curtin.
That accom- lished, lay mission Is ended" He
then withdrew.