Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-21
BOSS SHEPHERD AT GRANTS EAR

If the President has recalled his let
ter requesting theresignation of Judge
Fisher, Prosecuting Attorney for the
District Of Columbia, he has commit
ted another g-icvous offense against
public justice and public morals. We
are prepared to believe that President
Grant has withdrawn his request for
Fishers resignation. Boss Shepherd
went to Long Branch last week in the
interest of Fisher avowedly, but more
selfshly in his own behalf. He knows
that If Fisher is ousted and an honest
successor appointed, he and his ring
Will not find Washington such a para
disc as 1t has been for them for the past
few years.
Postmaster General Jewell and At
torney General Pierrepont know that it
was by the criminal negligence. ifnot the
criminal intent Of Fisher that the safe
robbers in the Harrington case and the
Postofice defraudcrs in the Hin ds case
have escaped the punishment that was
due them. Neither Mr.. Jewell nor Mr.
Pierrepont can hOnorably retain their
positions in the Cabinet if President
Grant refuses to remove Fisher. They
know too much of his conduct as pros
ecuting Attorney, in permitting the
guilty to escape, to remain in their
present position if they have a 1.-THE of
the dignity and seIf-respcct which is
credited to them. The question now
with them is whether they or Boss
Shepherd have the most influence with
the President, they in expecting or be
in retaining an unworthy if not n GRIM
inal officer. As showing how gravely
they regard the matter, We give the
following Washington special to the
Cincinnati Commercial Of yesterday:
The announcement that the Presi-
dent has decided to retain United States
District Attorney Fisher has caused
great excitement IN Cabinet circles.
Secretaries PierrepOnt and BristOw,
and Postmaster General Jewell have all
been interviewed respecting it, and are
unable to conceal their surprise. The
peculiar fact is that the request
for the resignation Of Fisher
originated with the President,
who directed the Attorney General
to request Fisher to resign. The an
nouncement evidently proceeds from
Boss Shepherd and Dick Harrington,
who went to Long Branch to intercede
in behalf Of Fisher. and to protect him
while under fire. They give out that
they succeeded IN their mission, and
that Fisher is not to 90, if at all, until
the validity or falsebOod Of the charges
ma e against him shall have been test
ed by some investigation. If this
statement shall prove well founded it
Will place Sc. eral me a1ers Of the Cabi-
net in a very embarrassing posi-
ton. The Secretaries named have
all recommended the retirement of
Fisher for cause, on account Of matters
which came within their official knowl-
edge. in their respective departm nts.
Sensational persons viii endeavor to
magnify the opinions to which these
Cabinet officers have given expression
tonight, rs TO predict that if Fisher Is
retained there viii be a rupture in the
Cabinet. Attorney General Pierrepont
tonight, upon reading the announce
ment, stated he had no further informa-
ton upon the subject, and thai he
should not receive any until tomorrow
morning If it was true 1t would
greatly surprise him.
The Presidents status before the
country at this particular juncture is
such that one would hardly suspect
him Of being anxious TO precipitate a
Cabinet rupture, while if It's so-called
reform members consent to remain
after Fishers reinstatement they place
themselves in an attitude before the
people that can admit Of no cxplana-
ton. Altogether, 1t is a curious COM
plication, involving more than "a mere
placeman's fight for his bread and |
butter. 1t is the same old fight with |
the Rings, backed 10y Grant, that will |
be ended only when the whole crew of
plunderers are driven from power at
the ballot-box next year.