Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-10
THE RESIGNATION OF SECRErARv
COX,
The Correspondence with the Presf.
dent Which Led tn It.


Publication Of the correspondence between
President Grant and ex-Secretsry Cox, which
led TO the withdrawal of the latter from the
Cabinet, with q semi-oficial statement OF facts
in the case has been authorized and made. The
following IL an abstract OF the correspondence
and statement:
The President, in a letter from LONG Branch
dated on the 22d Of August, writes % Follows
~ understand that you have appointed one day
this week to hear arguments in the Meg ABRAHAM
ca Lhat Is well enough, because if Congress
should fail to settle that case we NAV have it TO
90, and the sooner we know all the points of il
the better. However, as the matter has been
taken IN hand by Congress before the incoming
o. TINS administration, and so much fraud is
charged, and believed to exist, on both sides, /
am not willing that my name should be signed
to patent Tor either p.rty until Congress has
either &c cided or declared their inability II do
so. wish you would say TO MIR. White, secre-
taly for signing patents, not to put my namo to
nat one except on special orders from me
InIOuSh you. lie must not take orders from Mr..
Wilson y, the matter. have grown suspicious
Washington next"
Secretary Cox replies next dav that he has
complied Nth the RESIDENTS Instructors so
Ter as his Private Secret lry wss concerned. He
then says that he thinks the President must
nave been mtsinfOrmed as to the status of the
or puted land claim in Congress, arguing that
the question could be decided BY the Interior
Department, and gives his views upon the sub
JCct, which are decidedly in favor Of one of the
parties. He then suggests that Cabinet meet
ing be called to consider the subject. Mr.. Cox
inumates that II the President should not sup
port him in his views, he would resign. To this
letter the President made no reply, thus tacitly
refusing to abandon the position he had taken
again t signing the land patent.
Mr.. Cox's last letter to the President, already
published, Is dated October 5.
With regard to that part of Mr.. Cox's last
letter which seems to imply an interference on
the part OF somebody with the Indian policy of
the Administration. it should be under stood that
the PRESIDENT had no issue with MIR. Cox On that
subject. Nor did he permit any outside inter-
ference. 1t Is generally known to the country
that President Grant is the author of the policy
now being pursued BY the government toward
the Indians; and the people may rely upon the
TACT that no departure will be made from that
policy SO long as he is President, no matter
WHAT Changes may take place in the Cabinet
With regard to the "refOrms in the civil SER
vice. allusion to which Is made ia the last let
ter OF MIR. Cox, it is well understood here and
elsewhere. by all who ha re 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
WIN every member of his Cabinet, have with
out any formal parade or show, made il a con-
dilOn that no person shall receive an Office
without first undergoing an examination the
object of which is to ascertain first his fitness
lor the place; and. second, his character for
FIDELITY and integrity. As a matter of course
preference Is given to persons who are known TO
entertain the same political views as the Presi-
cent and the members of his administration
But this has in no instance, so far as is known
been allowed to override the other necessary
qualifications for office. The letter OF Mr.. Cox
on the land claim question clearly shows that
Inc question OF reform in the civil service was
lot the issue.