Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-09-28
pELANo E down..

The numerous reports and surmises 10
regard to the resignation of Hon. c, De-
lano, Secretary of the Interior, are at
last set at rest by the formal announce
mept that he rendered his resignation on
the 9Th of July and that the President
has accepted it. to take effect on the LIST
of October. The letter of the latter is
is dated September 22. 1t is rather re-
markable that Grant should keep this
paper secreted in his pocket nearly three
months. and that meanwhile Orville
Grant, who held a lucrative and exclu-
sive trading privilege among the Indians
should suddenly conclude to wind up his
immense business and resign. We say
this is a coincidence that gives room for
sueculations and divers remarks. An
other singular feature Of all this com
plicated business is that a commission
has been at work trying or pretending
10 investigate the affairs Of the Secre-
tary's Office. A majority of them we're
Delano's friends aid seemed determined
from the outset 10 ply the whitewash
brush with a steady hand. They could
and would see nothing except what was
pure and white. That report is yet to be
officially PROMULGATED. The two mem
hers constitutingthe minority are mega
tive characters, Of no force and small
caliber. They pill be manipulated so
that their reportwill be little more than
mild dissent br expression of doubt
In the third plsce, it does seem remark
ahla tho. a President OF the United
States should brget the dignity Of the
oescs an far as % give each Of his retir-
ing subordinsies , certlhcate OF
character even when grave charges
against them are undisposed of.
His attempt to bolster up Delsno with
expressions Of confidence in his in
tegrity and purity Of character are m
becoming, and will have just the oppo'
site effect from that desired. The peo-
ME all know that Delano is a special
friend and pet Of Grants, and that Or
vile Grant has held a position, With ex'
elusive and extraordinary privileges, for
some years under DelaEo, aud has made
a fortune out Of it. Why did he slip out
ahead Of his master if there was nothing
wrong? Did he fear that another Pierre.
pont would be appointed and overhaul
the office? 1t looks that way to out
siders. Grant goes further and e%estiies
that Delano offered to resign about a
year ago and held on at his request.
Brother Orville, it would seem, was not
ready to settle up and part with the
enormous profits. But he got ready and
quit a month or two ago, and Delano's
convenient resignation would have been
made public sooner, no doubt, but for the
fact that Prof. Marsh and others we're
making it uncomfortably hot for him,
and he was unsettled in his course. FRI
day he concluded it was time to let go;
he went to Elizabeth City, a new seat Of
the government, found the Presidentand
obtained q statement that he was
about "as pure as ice or chaste as snow"
and put it forth to the world that he had
long been anxious to retire to private
life. he has abundance Of character
and ought to be happy. An Irish girl
who had not been in this country long
concluded to better her fortune by re-
moving from Boston to New York. She
was properly recommended by her last
employer, but on her way down lost he's
papers. She was greatly distressed, and
on landing at New York fastened to find
a eouutryman of hers who held a little
Office and tell him the story Of hel
trouble. ITO be sure, Bridget, its 8
great loss ye have, but ] q write zee
a new one" and to her grRst JOY hast
ened to write, sign and duly seal a docu
ment worded about as follows: "Thi
ia to certify that Bridget Murphy had
good character when she left Boston, Blu
she lost it on the ship"