Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-11-02
Our Washington Letter.

Our Washington Letter.
EDITOR CHRoSICLE:-So little of pub
lie interest has transpired in the last few
weeks, that your correspondent has not
thought 1t worth while to transmit the
form Of a letter that should te like a nut
without meat. It is true we have had q
great flood that has made havoc among
the bridges, and there have been premo-
nihons of storms around the White
House and departments, but you have
had a good-sized earthquake, which be-
Titles any natural or political agitation
here.
Rumor, thousand tongued, had long
been busy with the Secretary Of the In
terror, and innumerable were the reports
Of disagreements with the President, Of
dissatisfaction Of the latter and ola com
ing change. OF course there must be
some fire where there is so great an
amount of smoke, and about a week
since we had a semi-authoritative an
nOuncement that Secretary Cox had
placed his letter Of resignation in the
hands of the President. Although no
official statements have yet been made it
is known to be true, and his connection
with the Interior Department will cease
about the lst Of November, and his fam
lily are busily preparing for removal to
Cincinnati about that tire. We are Of
course bound to believe, as asserted, that
private considerations have induced this
step-that the Secretary cannot support
the style required OF a Cabinet officer
and live upon his salary, and is anxious
to resume his law practice. Yet those
who have the means OF knowing are
aware that there are other things below
this surface. It is certain that the step is
somewhat s~udden--was notcOntemplated
a short time ago, when the same fnan-
cial reasons existed. It is also known
that the President has interfered in the
Secretary's Indian and other policy. 1t
is said by some that the Secretary has
made mistakes-one may be in suppOs-
ing that right and justice and he public
good should govern in running a bureau,
and has thus run against the politicians.
His very proper ORDER protecting clerks
from political assessments on pain Of be-
ing spotted, brought upon him the wrath
OF wire-working politicians, while his
unpopular order that clerks going home
to vote should have their time deducted,
if they had already had a leave Of alb
sence during the year, brought down
upon him the inside Of the house. Then
it is thought by many that if he had
selected his own advisers instead of re-
tanning some already there, his admins
tration would have been more popular.
They mention as an instance the reteu-
ton Of Judge Otto as Assistant Secretary,
a man universally unpopular, and to
whom is given the credit Of instigating
every unpopular thing. These are a few
among the many things that have COM
bined upon him much political opposi-
ton. As is often said in experience
meetings General Cox has not lived up
to his privileges, in the light that high
Office usually inUres to the benefit
Of the holders and their legion Of friends
and he will be among the very few who
retire empty handed 1t is shrewdly
suspected that the President has not been
entirely proof sgainst combined political
influence which has tended to make IN
pleasant relations with the Secretary.
The atmosphere Of Long Branch, New
port and Saratoga may be good for many
things, but is not as good as the camp or
the field for the development and pres
ervation Of back bone. Il is to be hoped
that before the season Of another sum
mer's respite from official toll, the Pres
ident will have leisure to ponder on that
suggestive bit Of scripture, lead US not
into temptation"
By the time Of The Christmas holidays,
Pennsylvania Avenue will be one Of the
finest drives in the country. The rough,
sunken eobble-stone pavement is now
being torn up, and from the Capitol to
the Treasury il is to be Immediately re-
placed with wood pavement. Three
kinds are to be put down, the "Stow,"
MILLER" and - lot differing greatly
from each other, or from the Nicholson
and claimed to be improvements on the
The weather for weeks has been
charming; commend me to the Mays
and OctObeFs OF this latitude. The leaves
are ouly now gently falling, not from
frost but from very ripeness.
I had almost forgotten to say, It is gen.
orally admitted that Hon. Columbus
Delano is TO be the successor OF General
Cox, though no announcement has yet
been made. Yours, EZRA.
Oct. 18th, 1870.