Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-15
" ASHiNGTON.
THE CHIEF JUSTICEsHIP.
MR.. CUSHING'S NAME WITH
DRAWN.

Washington, II. Yesterday afternoon,
before the republican Senators resumed their
caucus session, Senator Sargent called upon
the President and mentioned to him the fact
that he had read an anonymous note, in which
it was stated that on the 2lst of March, 1861,
Caleb Gushing wrote a letter to Jefferson Da-
Wis, strongly recommending Archibald Roane
clerk in the Attorney Generals office to
Davis favorable consideration. Roane having
strong southern sympathies and an able scho-
ar and contributor to De Bows review, and
while briefly altuding to the subject that
then divided the north and SOUTH Mr.. Cush-
ing spoke of them as the cause Of final sepa-
ration of the union, regarding this an an ac
complished fact. The President, short
time thereafter, applied to the Secretary of
War for the original of this letter, which was
produced, it being found among the captured
rebel archives.
The President, on reading the letter, at
once concluded to withdraw the nomina
ton, and caused communication to be writ
ten to the Senate for this purpose. The
presiden before he nominated Mr.. Cushing,
knew that this gentleman had taken state
right views of the questions which agitated
the country just previous to the breaking out
of the late civil war, but when Fort Sumter
was fred upon Gushing made a patriotic
speech and offered his services in military
capacity to assist in putting down the rebel
lion. Other gentleman, like Gushing, de-
clared their opinion that the government had
no right to coerce state, yet when HOSTILE
ties resulted, they were actively found on the
side of the union, but now that this letter to
Jefferson Davis had come to light, stating SO
broadly ds-union views, the President, not
withstanding his high appreciation of Cush-
ings legal attainments, resolved to withdraw
his name, apprehensive that his opinions ex-
pressed in the past might inJuriously effect
the opinions of the supreme court in the
event of his confirmation as chief justice.
The President called an extra Cabinet
meeting to-day, which continued nearly two
hours, during which the subject of chief jns-
ticeshp was considered. 4 short time be-
fore the Presidents secretary started for the
capitol, a long letter from Caleb Gushing was
read by the President, in which the writer
thanked the President for the kindness and
Partially in nominating him for the great Of
flee of chief justice and expresses his conyic-
ton on the propriety of the several amend
ments to the constitution since the war and
in conclusion asks that his nomination be
withdrawn from the senate. The President
detailed the secretary and added to the mes
of withdrawal postscript stating that since
the message was written he had received a
letter from Mr.. Cushing, copy of which he
enclosed, deeming it an act of justice to that
gentleman TO lay the same before the senate.
As soon as the postscript was written the pri-
yatc secretary left the executive mansion for
the purpose OF delivering the messageto the
senate.
The message is accompanied by Cushing's
letter to Jefferson Davis as the grounds on
which the nomination was Withdrawn and also
a letter from Gushing to President Grant.
The original letter of Gushing to Davis is in
possession Of the war department. SeHator
Sorgent has a copy of it which he procured
yesterday by virtue of his senatorial privilege
and which was exhibited by him to the cau-
Gus. Efforts to obtain copy for publication
thus far have proved unsuccessful, as the pa
per is considered in the light of confiIen-
tal.
Nothing vt is concluded as to the new
nominee for chiet justice.
1t is supposed in official quarters that Mr..
Gushing Win soon lcavs Washington for Mad
rid.
The first mail to Australia leaves San
Francisco on the 3lst. Postage prepaid -
cents.
A new postal treaty with New South Wales
was concluded with the pos, master OF that
country to-day.
Indian commissioners and Indian mis-
sionaries held conference to day, at which
reports OF Indian progress was made and
considerable remarks made because only ST.
800 year were paid to missionaries by the
government
The Senate N Executive session to-day
confirmed the following nominations L. 5.
Attorney Nathan Webb for Maine. l.. :.
Marsh II $. S. Marble for Maine