Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-11
Qailg Slrnnrber yournal.
A u 6 Z s II a.
FRIDAY MORNING, NOV. IL. 1870.
THE PRESIDENT AND SECRET4R !
cox.


The correspondence between President
Grant and Secretary Cox, in relation to
the McGarrahan case, has been published. 1t
appears that the President directed that his
name should be placed to no patent for neither
party until Congress had settled the matteror
decided its inability to do so. This is the
substance of the Presidents letter OF Aug o.
Secretary Cox replies under the date oil Aug
20, denouncing McGarrahan's claim, urging
meeting of the Cabinet to take place before
the 30th, to act upon he matter, and declaring
that unless he secures the fullest approval Of
his couse by the President, he must ask to be
relieved of hi office. The President made no
reply to this letter, thus tacitly maintaining his
first ground, and Of course it Mr.. Cox kept his
word in his letter his resignation was unavoid
able. In connexion with the publication OF
the letters mentioned above, the following
statement is made:
"With regard to that part of Cox's letter OF
Oct Cd, already published, which seems TO i'm
ply an interference on the part of somebody
with the Indian policy of the administration, 1t
should be understood that there were no issue
with Mr.. Cox on that subject, nor did he per
nit any outside interference. The only thIng
that could possibly be construed in this way
was the Presidents endorsement of letter
from Senator Chandler of Michigan, address
ed to him at Long Branch, and which WAS al
terwaid DIS sent to Secretary Cox. This letter
recommended in earnest terms the appoint
ment as Indian agent in Michigan, OF Mr..
Brockway, Methodist clergyman i'll that
i,,I ef,ait l.t. MI a M is
sionary among the Indians. lie had already
served as such agent, and been suspended
when the Indian agencies had been PIT IN
charge of the military officers. The Presi-
dents endorsement All this letter was TO the
effect that the person recommended by Sena-
tor Chandler might be appointed, AS It would
not change his policy in regard to appoint
ments for that branch Of the service. he
President added at the same time that he was
anxious TO meet the wishes of senator How
ard, who concurred in Senator Chambers re-
quest. Ills endorsement was merely OF an
advisory character.
1t is generally known TO the country that
the President is the author OF the policy nov
being pursued by the government towards the
Indians and the people of his administration,
but this has in no instance, As far as known,
been allowed to override other necessary
qualifications for Office. The general mis-.
understanding which seems TO exist with re-
gard to the causes which led to the retire
ment of Mr.. Cox from the Cabinet, seems to
call for the statement IF facts. All may rely
upon the fact that no departure will be made
from that policy as long as he is President,
no matter what change may take place IN the
Cabinet with regard 10 reforms in the evil
services, allusion TO which was made in the
last letter 10 Mr.. Cox. 1t Is well unIersiood
here and elsewhere, by ali who have anything
TO do with the executive departments OF the
government, that since the Inauguration Of
President Grants administration particular
attention has been given to this matter The
President himself, With every member of his
Cabinet have without any formal parade or
show made il condition that DO person shall
receive an Office without first undergoing an
examination, the object OF which Is 10 aecer-
tain, first, his fitness iur the place, and see
ond his character Tor fidelity and integrity.
AS a matter of course tie preference Is given
10 persons who are known to entertain the
same political views as the President and
members"