National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-25
The s.crs,s,y,hip Of the 1ptsrior.

Ifrom the Detroit Free Press, (Dsm.,D l9th.1
Delano's resignation as Secretary Of the In
terror took effect on the LIST instant. General
Cowen, as Assistant Secretary, performed all
the duties devolving upon the head OF the De-
partment for the ten.days during which he
could lawfully do so; but since the 18th inst.
business which the head of the Department
can alone transact has been gradually accu-
mulating, and the necessity for filling the va
cancy in the Cabinet is pressing. For what
ever delay and temporary embarrassment
there have been the President is responsible.
He had ample time to select q successor to
Delano before he accepted the latter's resigna-
ton, and lsince then, II he had attended to
business, he could easily have secured suit
able man. He had apparently realized at last
that the time for the opening of the Congress
sional session is near at hand, and to enable
the new incumbent to familiarize himself with
the duties Of the Office before that tims-a
matter which in his letter to Delano he men,
toned as of some importanee-the appoint
ment cannot be delayed much longer. Ac-
cordingly we have the statement, on the au-
thority of the Associated Press, that the Sec
retaryship has been rendered to ex-senator
Chandler, and that Mr.. Chandler has the mat
ter under advisement.
In this State, where Mr.. Chandler is best
hUOWu anu ~ WHICH nc Is luueDlcu lOT ulb
political fortunes, his appointment will be
looked upon as in some respects a good one.
He is universally recognized as a man of ex-
traordinGry energy, and his personal honesty
has never been questioned. 1t is to his credit
that in q Congressional service of eighteen
years, much of 1t in a time when corruption
was rampant, there was never the slightest
suspicion that his hands were stained with
ill-gotten gains. Whatever use he may have
made of his position-however he may have
controlled Federal appointments to strengthen
him in his place, or however INSCRIPTIONS,
as chairman of the Republican National Ex-
ecutive Committee, he may have been in the
use of anything or everything TO win success
for his party-he always remained, as a Sena-
tor and as q man, Impoverished and unpurchas-
able. As Secretary of the Interior he will, If
his past record furnishes any qua rantee for
the future, be thoroughly honest himself, and
insist upon honesty on the part of his subordi-
mates. With him in Delano's place there could
probably be no complaint that the Secretary
of the Interior is in league with rings to de-
fraud the Government, nor that fraudulent
practices for the enrichment of individuals
are winked at. Nor is his honesty of the
supplemented sort which takes everything as
true. His Is not simple and confiding nature.
On the contrary, he is a man Of keen compre-
hension, shrewd and sagacious. No depart
ment under his charge could be honeycombed
with fraud without his knowing 1t.
But while no special exception can be taken
TO Mr.. Chandler on the score either Of capacity
or personal honesty, there are some grounds on
which his appointment would be vulnerable.
Mr.. Chandler, as much as any other man in
the country, has been responsible for the inter-
meddling Of Federal ofice-holders in State
politics. Federal officials in Michigan were his
personal seryitors. His appointment, in view
OF his antecedents, might therefore be fairly
taken as an indication that the Administration,
instead Of rigidly adhering to the policy of
non-interferenee in State affairs, had deter
mined to exercise as much influence in shaping
and controlling affairs as 1t possibly can that
the immense patronage of the Government
will be welded next year In the interest ofsome
political aspirant. This is a matter, however,
which interests Republicans more than Demo
Gratis. Democrats, in the Presidential cam
paign of 1876, will have to face the whole Of
holding power Of the Government in any
event. 1t is of less moment to them for whom
1t is exerted in the election than 1t is to Re-.
publicans, for whom it is used in the nominal
ing convention. In any scheme for controlling
conventions by the office-holding power Presi-
dent Grant would have an able and sympathiz-
ing ally in Mr.. Chandler. The latter's expe-
rience as chairman of the Republican commit
tee would be of much value to him in this
work.
Again, Mr.. Chandler has been one of the
most illiberal Republicans in the country in
his views with regard to Southern policy. Ex-
cept by men of the most extreme Republican
partisanship he would scarcely be considered
as a trustworthy adviser of the President. In
this particular place in the Cabinet would
not now be congenial to him. Perrepont,
Jewell and Bristow are far from holding the
same views as did Williams, Creswell and
Boutwell,, and those of the latter harmonized
admirably with Mr.. Chandler's. The question
of introducing possible disturbing element
into the Cabinet is one which at present more
directly concerns the President and the mem
bers of the Cabinet than any one else. If the
President thinks he can pay the price of dis
cord in the Cabinet to secure Mr.. Chandler in
the Interior Department, his right TO pay It is
unquestionable; though it is certainly an un-
usual step, even for Grant, to select as the re-
cipient of public favor q man who has ceased
to command the support Of his party in his
ouru STATE