The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-13
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
CUTTING DOWN APPRoPRIAI1oss-PREs1D
GRANT AND THE ATTORNEY sESERAL-A
TOO TRUSTING CONFIDENCE SADLY MIS-
PLACED.
WAsHIS0roS, Jan. 8.
The New York Herald special from Wash
ington. partially excuses the President for
his good opinion of Attorney General Viii
lians. 1t says: II is but fair TO the Presi-
dent to say that the reception of his faYorite
for the vacant seat of Chief Justice Chase by
the Senate, il not by the country at large,
has been complete surprise TO him. Leay-
ing out OF the question his personal opinion
Of and regard for Mr.. Williams, the Presi-
dent has all along believed that lis nominee
possessed a very large share of esteem in the
political circles of the country. His stand
ing in the Senate, when member OF that
body, the President supposed was consider
ably above the average, and does not find il
difficult to recall numerous incidents, ex-
tending through his Senatorial term, to sup
port such view. In the impeachment trial
of President Johnson, il was Senator Will
Williams who was selected, in caucus Of
Republican Senators, to bring the Senate to
vote on the articles of impeachment,
a duty at the time considered such
as to demand careful and skillful man
agement, by a member possessing at least
the respect OF his opposing and wavering
colleagues. Ex-senator Williams was pressed
upon the President for "A Cabinet position
not then vacant, with an ardor that would
have been indecent il it had not borne the
appearance of an enthusiastic and united ex-
preston of the conviction of the whole body
of Republicans on the Pacific Coast, that the
party should not lose the influence and SER
vices of its foremost leader in that section
through atemporary reverse in a hali-fledged
state like Oregon. The selection OF Judge
Williams as one OF the distinguished fave of
the American hall OF the Joint
High Commission was the Presi-
dents response to and confirmation
of the demonstration of the Pacific coast Re-
publicsns, and 10 this very day il is beyond
all question that the President believes that
the gentleman from Oregon bore his part az
brayely and well as any other member OF
that really distinguished body. Following
the dissolution of the Joint Commission
came the entry into the ofnce of Attorney
General, n position which brought him into
closer and more frequent relations with the
President, and il is out of this latter acc uain-
lance that has grown the Presidents sincere
conviction that Mr.. Williams is the very
/ man fitted to adorn the exalted station OF
| Chief Justice. That the selection OF his At
tOrney General 10 be Chief Justice was
very lit and proper one WAS also the unani-
nous opinion OF his Cabinet officers, to
whom the President. in the absence of
! the Attorney General, submitted his name.
Secretary Fish, who enjoys, by reputs-
ton at least, kind of separate sta
ton from his colleagues of the
Cabinet, was as warm in approval of Judge
| Williams as the rest, and could hardly have
had in remembrance any unfavorabe rem
iniscences OF that joint service on the High
Commission. AS before intimsted the Pres
! ident has never had q suspicion until now
that the faint of unfitness attaches TO his
nominee. Last summer the President COM
United himselfto the promise TO give 10 the
/ country an acceptable Chief Justice, and has
| believed himself TO have redeemed that
promise in offering a man possessing the
characteristics of popular American states
manship-obscure origin and high station
reached through self-toil, energy, patience
and a keen appreciation OF the 'main
chance"
BACKED OUT.
ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAMS LETTER.
| The following is the letter of Attorney
General Williams. requesting Withdrawal
of his nomination for the department II
wAsHNGroN, Jan. :.
| To the President:
| SIR: You were kind enough, without any
solicitation or any knowledge on my part
| that YOU contemplated such thing, TO nom
! mate me for Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States. since
that time the flood gates of
calunny in all directions have been opened
upon me. My abilities have been dispar-
aged and my integrity brought in question,
and it seems to me that public opinion adj
verse to my appointment has been
created which might hereafter embar-
rass your Administration, and per-
| haps impair my usefulness upon the
| bench. With the perfect consciousness that
have performed with clean hands and an
upright purpose all the duties Of the va
rious public Offices to which have been
called, and trusting to time and just
public when better informed for my vindi-
cation, L respectfully withdraw my noni-
nation for the Chief Justice. / have the
honor to be with great respect.