New-York tribune., 1870-10-31
SEcRBTARY cox AND THE POLITICIANS.
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

| OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Oct. S0.-Gen. Cox, in leaving
Office, thinks 1t his duty to yold to the very general
demand for the following correspondence. and has
therefore furnished copy for publication:
sTArEs BLAND Oct. 3, 1870.
| MT DEAR SIR: When Congress adjourned In the
Summer was crediby informed that somewhat syste-
matte effort would be made before their Icassemblng in
the Winter TO force change In the policy have pur
| sued IN the Interior Department.
The removal Of the Indian service from the sphere OF
ordinary political patronage has been peculiarly distaste
iu To many influential gentlemen In both Houses and In
order to enable 10 carry out your purposes
fully am satisfied that you ought not TO be embarrassed
by any other Of irritation in the department
My views Of the necessity OF reform In the civil service
have brought me more or less into collision with the
plans OF our active political managers. aud my sense OF
duy hs Obliged me 10 oppose some OF their methods OF
action through the arrangement have doubt what
ever that public sentiment will later fully
tain these efforts at what regard needed reforms but
ought not t. overlook the fact that for the present they
involve opposition which may not be for the interest OF
this Administration 10 provoke and personal ten
dency IL to be rather than less persistent In the
course TO which am committed. deem it my duty to
place in your hands my resignation OF the Office of Secre
tay OF the Interior to take effect you can con
Vehlohtiy determine upon my successor
The annual report Of the Department will he made at
an early day, and for this and other believe the
interval prior ~ the Adjourned session OF Congress the
1ttest Tor such change. trust will To
add that the original acceptance OF the position
an interference with plans OF life formed. AS think
win prudence return To my private business 40 far
| from being an Inconvenience a disappointment, will
only he carrying out what have most desired TO do IA
or sacrifice Of public duty. ndie estions that you might
| be already troubled by SUGGESTIONS the subject
| return tO Washington.
With sinccro assurances Of my strong desire for the
complete success of your administration remain truly
your ohedent servant, j. ID. Cox.
The President:
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WAsHISGTos, D. c., Oct S. 1870.
Your letter of the sd inst rendering your resignation
sccrcary ~ the Interior just received. As suggested
by yOu It will be accepted 90 take effect upon the
pleon OF the annual report Of the Department be
ing prepared TO accompany my message to Congress- In
| parting company permit me 10 say that | highly ap-
preciae the zeal and ability you have shown In the
discharge OF your official duties hope your relations
la the sphere you have pointed out for yourself will
prove pleasant relations have been In the past
expectations With highest regards your osdent ser
want u. 5. GRANT.
Hon ]. d. Cox, Secretary OF tho Interior.
ME. COX5 BATTLEAGAISsT POLITICAL PATRONAGE
NO FORCED ASSESSMENTS ~ Ills DEfART-
Three letters from Secretary Cox to leading
Republican politicians who desired control the pa
ronage OF his Department In the interest Of the party
have recently been made public. The following letter
addressed to the Secretary Of the Congressional Re
publican Committee the Hon d. W. Clcndennne. after
| n. n.
and given promise that the call made upon the clerks
should be- for voluntary contributions only:
DEPARTMENT OF THE IsTERIoR,
WASHINGTON. ID. C., July 29 1870
DEAR SIR. In accordance with your request forward
herewith a roll OF the officers and employees OF this De
partmcut In doing ~ ] bog to repeat what said TO
yourself and Mr. Plat. viz That in my efforts " bring
about an Improvement OF the civil service IN the Depart
men hold 1t to he absolutely essential that should
e understood BY the clerks and employees that they hold
their places subject TO removal for lack of efficiency or
ma haeri
show Of political zeal VIII secure their retention II ca
Mr.. Plat assured me. / understood you to agree
with him. that the list only desired in order to give
your Committee the opportunity to invite suoh as felt en-
trey free TO do 80 o contribute TO support the work
tax upon any one. knowing ~ do that many of our
CLERKS have al they can 40 70 make bare existence OUT
the appeaoh put on any Other OASIS even II di1 hot
think, IA do that any compulsory assessmern would be
mischief than benefit.
We can do more real service to the Republican party
enployGs and putting zach clerk upon his merit alone
for appointment or promotion than by the expenditure
OF many times tie amount of money they could possibly
afford TO contribute Very respectfully, your obedlent
Under date OF August TO- Mr. Cox addressed letter
the Hon. X D. Harrison. Chairman of the Republican
Executive Committee of Ohio. The Committee had re-
quested list OF the names Of those employed in the
Department OF the Interior appointed from OHIO, with
amount OF salary. OF county, ETC. The secretary
declines very courteous language to comply with the
request the ground that IL would not he right u do
So and therefore not for the interest OF the Republican
The consideratious which lead me to this conclusion
| may be summed mp in two, namely: FIRST: That such
directly antagonsc TO the civil service
reform, which believe 10 be 80 imperative "a necessity
that the Republican party a. the proper party OF true
reforms, cannot longer delay to make II part OF teir
platform and Second Because the specific sssessnent
you propose to make behalf OF the state Central
Committee, Is an innovation IN a pad direction. ,..,
sssessments the Of Department patronage for
/ partisan purposes. the Secretary says:
"My relations to the subordnates OF this Depart
ment peculiar. | have been endeayOring to correct
such Of the evils could reach, and BY s. stem OF
competitive examinations to test the capacity OF spp
cantA for place or promotion have assured then tat
would end with their going before the Boards OI
efficiency would determine their continuance IN Office or
promotion Under these circumstances the circular OF
the Congressional Comnittee evying one per cent OF
their salaries, with ntmat0n understood by those
receiving the circular Though am informed the Com.
ondanger their places the most demoralizing thing
/ which could have been thrown into the Department
The question At once raisod whether my position
had been sincerely taken and would not remain IN the
Department day ifmy purpose could he reasonably l
rule greater peouniary burdens in proportion 10
their salaries than other men are usually willing 70 uo
for party purposes. and would respond o the fu
extent Of their ability Ia eNhortatons addressed SIMPLY
to their voluntary zeal nut the best Officers aha .e Sss
opposition to the whole system Of levied a-ssssInents
writer's personal confidence the good purposes OF the
! Committee. and the value Of their work Gen. IL. V:
y I'm savs that the Ohio Committee cordially indorses
the position assumed by Mr. Cox while the Congressional
him In letter the latter Committee the same
subject dated september the Secretary says, after
refusinga request 10 eau upon inc IohhSJh han'aS h
the Department" -,,... A.. ...,u,--. -
support for and economy Of admins
tration among other things regard oiy service re-
form which snail put tIe empoyes OF the Departments
upon the rule indicated BY Mr Webster when secretary
OF state In 8il, being essential to an honest ana
thrifty administration OF this Department. and have
deeply regretted 10 what regarded az danger OF
losing the substance OF political success for the shadow
The Republican party vii preserve s p9Ser % amt ana pre rn
needs To bo exceedingly cautious OF ihhoVst'ohs III