Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-31
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON

| Houss-Annual Reports-Gen. Schenek.
O. WASHINGTON, Oct. 26th 1870.
THE sEcRErARYsHlP OF THE INTERIOR.
| It is now a settled fact that Secretary Cox
will leave the Interior Department very soon
| and that Hon. Columbus Delaero, the present
Commissioner of Internal Revenue, will BE-
his successor, and judging from the very able
manner in which Mr. Delano has conducted
the Internal Revenue Bureau there can be Mt
doubt of his fitness for the new position. Mr..
Delano has been very DESTROYS of becoming 8
Cabinet officer as was shown during the SEES
sion of Congress last winter when bill was
introduced and strongly supported, creating
a new Department of Internal Revenue.
need scarcely add that it failed to become
law. However, we cannot blame Mr.. Delano
for being ambitious to have the honor as well
as the work, and he richly deserves it, for ne
man has labored more faithfully for the coun-
try, and never was the Internal Revenue tax
so closely collected as it has been under his
administration Of the office.
SECRETARY COX.
A great deal has been said in regard to the
cause of the resignation of Secretary Cox
part of it true, but more of it false. 1t is as
serted by some that he quarrelled with the
President and was rebuked by him; but Others
are just as confident that there was nothing OF
a personal nature at the bottom of it, and this
last theory seems to be the most natural one
as neither Of these gentlemen are of quar-
relsome disposition. Of course Secretary Cox
is not altogether pleased with everything, it
he was it 10 not at all likely he would give UP
a position of SO much honor voluntarily. The
real truth of the matter we think is that he is
of so sensitive mind that the politicians have
fairly worried him out. He is the beau ideal
of gentleman, and commands the respect
of every member of the Cabinet. They all
regret to part with him. He has shown great
executive ability in the manner in which he
has recognized and systematized the Interior
Department. 1t was the most loosely con
Quoted Department of the Government when
he took charge, but now it is regarded as
second to none. 1t is generally understood
that Mr.. Cox will return to the practice OF his
profession (the law in his native state OF
Ohio.
THE coMMIssroNERsHIP OF INTERNAL REVENUE.
"Who il to be Commissioner of Internal
Revenue?" has been the stereotyped;question
for week past but it has never been an
swered yet from any authoritative source
innate friend of Deputy Commissioner Doug
lass, has been here with the generally under
stood purpose of trying to secure the vacancy
when it occurs, for Mr.. Douglass. who is
gentleman of much ability, and of very popu-
lar manners. He is from Erie, and was Col
lector of Internal Revenue for that District
under Secretary Boutwell, when he organized
the Internal Revenue Bureau. So it must be
conceded that his chances are fattering. He
is the trusted friend of Mr.. Delano, and has
been the Acting Commissioner considerable
part of the past Summer He deserves the
promotion and we hope he will get it.
SECRETARY BOUTWELL, AND COMMISSIONERS
DELANo
have never quarrelled, all runners or news
paper statements to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. Much excitement was created by high
ly sensational despatch sent from here to the
New York Evening Post saying that Mr..
Delano upon being offered the Secretaryshp
of the Interior agreed to accept it upon con
dition that he be allowed the privilege OF
naming his successor in the Internal Revenue
office; but upon learning this Secretary Bout
well considered it an unwarranted interior
ance with his rights and threatened to resign
if any such concession was made to Mr.
Delano. Strangely this utterly absurd and
ridiculous despatch was swallowed by many
persons who ought to have had better sense
than to suppose Mr.. Delano possessed the
lmpudence to suggest any such terms to the
President, who when the time comes will ap
point whoever he chooses as Commissioner of
Internal Revenue, with or without the consent
of any one as he sees fit The intercourse
between Secretary Boutwell, and Commits
sioner Deano, both officially and privately,
has always been of the most cordial and
friendly character, though it has been the
object Of designing and inscriptions men to
foment a quarrel, but with no success what
ever.
THE LECTURE SEASON
was opened on Monday evening last by the
lecture on "The Lost Arts" by Wendell
Phillips, to crowded audience in Lincoln
Hall. The lecture was under the auspices of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and need
not tell you that the very interesting subject
was handled in an equally interesting man
ner. Mr.. Phillips said he was glad that he
had been given the honor of opening the
course, as it afforded him an opportunity of
saying a few words on the Lyceum, which he
considered as playing very important part
in the welfare of our country. 1t was the
great "leavener" ofpublic opinion; the unsec-
20 r;sn church where the utmost federation was