The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-10-24
SCENARIOS MISAPPREHENSION OF HIS
POWERS.

Mr.. Seward entered upon his du.
ties with the impression, undoubt.
eddy, which Mr.. Adams seems t.
have imbided, that he was to be de
fdcto President, and, as the premier
in the British Government, to F'di-
rect the affairs of the nation in the
name of another" The consequent
ces were that confusion and de-
rangement prevailed to some extent
at the commencement by reason OF
the mental activity, assumptions,
and meddlesome intrusions of the
Secretary of the State in the duties
and affairs of others, which were,
If not disorganizing, certainly not
good administration. Confidence
and mutual frankness on public af-
fairs and matters pertaining to the
Government, particularly on what
related to present and threatened
disturbances, existed among all the
members except Mr.. Seward, who
had, or affected, q certain myster-
ious knowledge which he was not
prepared to impart. This was ac-
cepted as q probable necessity by
his associates, for he had been in q
position to ascertain facts which it
was intimated he could not perhaps
we'll disclose. 1t early became APP
parent, however, that the Secretary
of State had ideas and notions of
his own position and that OF his
colleagues, as well as of the character
and attitude of the President, that
others could not recognize. Secre-
tiveness, subtle expedients, and
mysterious management, which
limited the knowledge of certain
important transactions to the State
Department, but of which the Presi-
dent was in some degree and from
time to time partially informed,
were the initiative Albany method
of executive government. For sew
er1i weeks after the inauguration
no stated Cabinet meetings were
held, though the members were fire.
quently assembled in counsel
sometimes only q part; but when
ever convened, it was by special
notice from the Secretary of the
State. This irregular practice was
after some weeks corrected, and
stated meetings on Tuesdays and
Fridays were ordered, against the
remonstrance of Secretary Seward,
who thought stated meetings caused
unnecessary Interruptions of bust
ness, and often that only part of
the members, such as were special
ly interested in the subjects under
consideration, need be called to
meet him and the President. 1t is
mentioned in the Memorial AID.
dress" that "Mr. Seward himself
came into the State Department
with no acquaintance with the forms
of business other than that obtained
incidentally through his services in
the Senate" This was soon OBJ
Vious to the whole council, who
were much annoyed for q time in
consequence, and until in a meas
ure corrected, by this want of pro-
per system and that correct admins
tration which is essential to intelli.
gent unity in the Government. I'm
der evident misapprehension of his
own powers and duties, and of
what belonged to others, the Secre-
found himself embarrassed by
promises and assurances inconsid-
erately given; and with no clear
and well-defined policy, but with
faith in expedients, on which, rath-
er than substantial principles, he
relied, there were for brief period
some singular proceedings. Presi-
dent Lincoln bore with these things
patiently, though the omens abroad
were portentous.-From Gideon
Wells's reply to Adams, in Novem-
Der Galaxy 1908