Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-07-10
From Washington City sunday Gazette.
The Secretary OT WAR

Among the many good things Presi-
dent Grant has done since his elevation
to the Presidency was the selection of
General VIM. w. Belknap to take pos
session of the portfolio of the War
Department. In a word, we may say
he has been particularly fortunate in
his selection of Cabinet officers. A
just appreciation of and confidence in
the advisers of the President nccessa-
rily betokens also that confidence the
people have and ought to exhibit in 70.
lation to the Chief Magistrate himself.
The present War Minister came among
US, and. to the people of the extreme
East, was comparatively unknown bnt
by his quiet, nnassurning manner, yet
firm in the right and prompt to decide
where intricate questions demanded
prompt action, tempering Justice with
mercy, he has been from the first
highly popular official. The President
and Gen. Belknap have been and are
on the very best of terms. Nothing
has occurred to disturb the friendly
relations existing between them. There
is one thing certain: Belknap's admir-
able management of the War Depart
ment his fine executive ability, the
many valuable reforms he has recon-
mended to Congress, and the improve
ments he has inaugurated, his sterling
patriotism and unquestioned honesty,
have won for him the sincere plaudits
OF candid men of all parties. In
word, he is a plain, straightforward
business man; of the people, and with,
the people. In conclusion, we clip the
following extract recently written by
a well-known contributor to the press,
which probably is as good pen and
ink sketch of the man as could be writ
ten: SCI
"No man who has not gone through
the war or lived here at Washington
has any conception OF the cohesive
power aud influence of the old army
officers and their hatred of new men
that come in what they call the back
way. When Gen. Belknap took charge
of the War Department he found one
Of those old army officers at the head
of each division of tho War Depart.
ment, and they were not removable as
the heads of departments under Cabi-
net ministers, making his situation
most difficult and trying but he has
PiOSch AlhoCh CIudl IL tut OCCAsIOu,
and from the day he took possession Of
the War Department up to the present
time he has grown in the good opinion
of all who have come in contact with
him, either officially or in private ca.
pacity. No Cabinet minister has the
confidence OF the country more fully
now than he has, and scarcely single
one to the same extent. He is method
ical and prompt in business, and. re-.
quires the same from all his subordi-
mates. The only complaint that have
ever heard made Of him is a sort Of
bearishness TO certain parties at certain
times. heard this complaint bitterly
made but few days since by man
who is supposed to have great personal
influence at the White House, and who,
it is understood, has made personal in
fluence very profitable. Belknap had
no doubt taken some of the starch ont
of him, as the Secretary Is certain to
do when more is demanded than what
is right, no matter who the party may
be. In all the Congressional investiga-
tons made no shadow Of suspicion or
reproach has rested on Belknap, and
while you daily hear jobbing charged
to other Departments you never hear
such charges against the Secretary OF
War. ! am sure that no man could be
found bold enough to make him an
improper offer, and not a few consider
him as the coming man for President
in 1876"