The New York herald., 1876-07-12
Tn. Retirement of Mr.. J.w.l.

tirement of Mr.. Jewell from the Cabinet.
We have had twenty rumors about him in
the past few weeks-that he was dying to
reform" and the President would not let
him; that he was q strong friend of Bristow
and sympathized with the Secretary Of
the Treasury so warmly that he
might at any time take notion to leave.
We have never credited these stories for
many reasons. Mr.. Jewell is one of the
most amiable gentlemen in the world, and
we can imagine no one finding any cause Of
quarrel with him. He has always been one
of the Presidents special cronies and
friends, and with all of Grants weaknesses
he has never been cold to the men he liked.
He used to be guest at the White House.
and livod in that charming circle which
is only open to Mr.. Childs, Bishop Simp-
few others. and which has welded
so vast power in the administration. If
any one hnd snug place at the Presidential
fire, or full glass of the Presidential cham
pagne, or full, juicy round of Presidential
beef it was Jewell This affection of the
President was shown in JEWELS appointment
to Russia, in his sudden recall to join the
Cabinet, and in the fact, which was whispered
in high places that the President would like
to have seen him on the Presidential ticket.
Suddenly Mr.. Jewell is dismissed from the
Cabinet and with marks of indignity. The
whole thing is surprising, and will not be
without its influence upon the elections
The reasons assigned by Mr.. Jewell for his
dismissal are vague. We have no reasons
whatever from the President. The pretext
of private business will hardly satisfy the
country, for Mr.. Jewell is q man of generous
fortune, who has retired from business and
finds pleasure in public life such as be-
longs to few men. Mr.. Jewell will do himself
a wrong, as well as o wrong to his State, his
party and his friends, if he does not state
fully and frankly the reasons which led to
his dismissal. He may say that he owes the
President reserve and silence. This is
proper on the part of any gentleman who
has been in the councils of an administration.
But the President, in dismissing him, re-
leases him from this obligation and compels
him to 60 before the country with his story.
OF course o President has the right to Sc
lect his own advisers and to have men who
are pleasing to him. But these advisers
have rights of their own which a President
is not above respecting. Mr.. Jewell was a
noted man in Connecticut before the Presi-
dent favored him. He is one of the very
few of the Presidents Crony Cabinet who
were not taken from obscurity He has
been Governor of the State and candidate
for the Presidency. When he came into the
administration he gave it strength for all
men recognized the fitness Of the nomina-
ton. Now, no President has the right to dis
miss man of this 'eminence from his Cabi-
net and to expect him to submit in silence
to the indignity.
We have a right to come to our own con-
clusions, and in the case of Bristow they
were readily reached. But Mr.. Jewell has
never been a reformer. We mean by this
that, while he has always discharged the
duties of his official life with integrity and
zeal, he never went with the reformers.
season and out of season. He has never
been prudish in his political actions, and
this makes his retirement more of mystery.
There is no question of policy before the
country like the Louisiana business, for in
stance, upon which statesman might re-
tire. What then, can be the reason? 1t
mast have been strong one to have up
rooted the old friendship with the President.
Whatever the reason Mr.. Jewell is bound to
make it known.
The political effect of the retirement Of
Mr.. Jewell will be slight. He had no special
country except as an honorable, amiable re-
publican who rejoiced in his high station
and meant to 'help the cause" 1t is not in
the power of the President to do any more
harm to Governor Hayes The fact that
Hayes wns not the Presidents choice; the
fact that in his letter of acceptance he COM
pletcly, and we might soy rudely. ignores
tho President all show TINT between the
party and the administrntion-at least for
the purposes Of this campaign-there is
wide division. Hayes does not mean to
carry any moro of G-ant than he has to
carry already, while Grnnt cares little about
Hnyes. Grant has shown In the Yaryan
case, in his treatment of tho invita-
tion to 60 to Philadelphia on the
Fourth, in his appointment Of Fisher.
in his forcing Bristow ont Of the
Cabinet, and now in his dismissal OF Jewell,
that he cares very little about the party.
He has probably made up his mind to do as
he pleases for the remainder Of his term,
and as Jewell may have proved to be an in
different courtier he has been sent away 10
make room for moro congenial company. We
do not know whether to congratulate Mr..
Jewell or condolc with him. A man does
not like to be summar;ly turned out Of ofice