The New York herald., 1877-09-07
An Unexpected Conclusion in the
Cornell Controversy.
A SWEEPING CHANGE DETERMINED ON.
"FOr Cause" Substituted for Dis
obedience OF Orders.
SPECULATIONS AMONG THE QUlDNUNCS
FROM OUR REGULAR coRRtspoN DENT.

WASHINGTON, Sept q, 1877.
THE NEW YORK CUSTOM HousE--A CHANGE IN
THE LEADING POSITIONS DETERMINED on
The corporal's guard OF soreheads in Washington
delighted with what they call the retreat Of the
President from his sicge OF Naval Officer Cornell
This the Interpretation they put upon the action of
the Cabinet to-day in deciding to remove for cause''
tho Collector, Naval Ocer and Surveyor Of the port
of New York. The alleged reason of this step Is the
general tnefhciency, as well MS incompetency, with
which the affairs OF the Custom House have been
administered, tho III management OF the institution
being byword II not rcproach and source OF
continual trouble ana public scandal
Tho decision OF the Cabinet is a general theme of
discussion here this evening. The malcontent re-
pubhcans, tho sympalhzcrs with Mr.. Cornell and all
the class OF men who hoped he would "stck" and
fight the President to tho bitter end order the
Presidents policy might be put TO the test OF
Senatorial criticism, pronounce the action OF the
Cabinet q back down Of the President from hts
contest with tho Naval Ofhccr. On the other
hand the friends Of the dminstraton say tnat is
c!cverly executed flank by which tho issue
Is changed aud Mr.. Cornell Is en In tho attitude of
man quarrehne without grievance and from whom
tho sympathies OF his supporters will now 10 with
drawn especially his suspension .'ior cause" will
leave him shorn OF political influence and without a
days business Mr.. Cornell cannot go before the
Senate and make defence OF himself tho ground OF
the successful and petent management Of affairs
in the New York Custom House. If he did no
would DO laughed out of court The other
issue, the one which he wished 10 force upon the
President docs not now exist II is the general I'm
preston that Secretary sherman advised this plan of
changing the issue and deprviug Mr. Cornell Of the
opportunity to mako IL martyr OF himself.
In tho course Of an interview ihis evening ON the
subject OF these proposed changes. Mr.. Sherman said
1t was mistake to suppose that the removal oil MIR.
Cornell tho result OF the latters dsobcdience OF
tho Presidents order Of June 80. The newspapers
had endeavored to make such Issue and had en-.
arscd upon their creation but the change In tho posi-.
ton OF Naval 0icer decided upon by the Cabinet
alter mature delberation as something called for
side OF the political relations OF Mr.. Cornell to the
President.
1t should be understood that the word removal ap-
plies moro properly to tho cases OF General Arthur
anu Mr.. Cornell only as The term OF four years for
which thoy wero originally appointed has not expired
Tho torn Of General Sharpe Surveyor OF the PORT cx
pircd about six months ago. but he has retained his
Office with tho consent OF the President, until a sue
cessor should be named. He generally regarded
as candidate, If not an applicant for his
sion; but whatever claims he may have assorted on
this account ho has gracefully withdrawn in letter
received by Secretary Sherman this morning before
The Cabinet met and before the decision reached
to change the incumbent OF his olcc The letter was
written yesterday and Is friendly and good naturcd
in Its expressions Of regard for tho President whom
he wishes to relieve OF any embarass he may be
troubled with the subject OF making an appoint.
ment to tho place.
SURVEYOR GENERAL OF ARIZONA TO BE RE-
MOVED.
Tho President decided today to remove Surveyor
General A. J. Smith, OF Arizona, and to appoint in his
stead Il. II. Mason, OF Ohio.