Daily Republican., 1880-01-20

records Of the State Department
He differed from Marcy and excellsd
him In this, that he never did anything
for eject, while Marcy would often dc
things for effect. In this--his aversion
TO any thing that looked like striving
far an effect fish was so straight that
| sometimes thought he leaned back.
ward. When | formed my Cabinet
Consulted no qpe.
The only member whom informed
In advances was A. 7. Stewart. Mr..
Stewart had 50 many vast and stupen-
dous private interests that ! did moi
think it would be fair 70 offer him such
place without first knowing whether
he would accept. thought his genius
for business woald be the quality re
quired in the Treasury, and l wanted
the Treasury conducted on strict busi-
ness principles. When spoke to Mr..
Stewart he was pleased. My first
choice for the State Department was
James +. Wilson, of Iowa. appointed
Mr.. Washburns under peculiar circum-
stances.
Mr.. wAsHBURHE
knew he was going to France, and want
ed to 90. | called on him one day
when he was i'll. found him in de-
spending mood. He said that before 60
ing to country like France he would
like to have the prestige Of . Cabinet
Office; that it would help his mission
very much. He suggested the Treas
nry. had already spoken to Mr..
Stewart ON the subject, and said |
would make him Secretary Of State. 30
came the appointment. You remember
schield was retained some time as Sec
retary OF War. did this to mark my
approval OF his course in going into
Johnson's Cabinet. As matter Of fact
before Schofsli accepted Johnson's
offer he consulted with me, and | ad-
yised him to accept. But schofeld
was in the army, and General.
Of course he could not resign q life
position of 30 high grade to take a
political office that would last four
years. And do not think 1t right that
an officer in high rank should be either
at the head Of the army or the navy.
After Rawlins died, | debated for some
time between Belknap, whom did sp-
point, and Fairchild, now the Consul
General in Paris. What decided be-
tween the two were State considerations.
appointed Mr.. Borie 10 the navy be-
cause knew him to be an exalted
character, one Of the best types Of Amer
leans have ever known; a merchant
who had amassed large fortune and
perfectly fitted for any place.
II Mr.. Borie had felt able or willing
to undergo the Navy department, he
would have made an admirable Secre-
tary. He declined the place, and only
remained for time at my urgent en-
treaty. | wanted the Navy department
to 60 to Pennsylvania, and offered it to
George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia. He
was business man, and could not &C
cspt. Then asked Lindley Smith, of
Philadelphia. HE professional engage
ments were too absorbing. Mr.. Borie
mentioned Robeson, and arranged that
We should meet on the excursion |
was taking to West Point. Here |
made Mr.. Robeson's acquaintance, and
out of it came his appointment to the
Navy department. After | gave the
Treasury to Boutwell,, of course it
would do to have Two Cabinet officers
from Mass chusetts, and Mr.. Hoar re-
tired. have great esteem for Mr..
Hoar, aud was sorry the Senate did not
confirm his nomination for the Supreme
Bench.
l0pk upon my Cabinet selections
with great pleasure, and am very CRATE
full to the gentlemen associated with
me for their assistance. Boutwell, went
out of the Cabinet to become Senator.
But think he regretted it. He told
me one day that he felt homesick after
leaving the administration. was sor-
ry to lose him. had difficulty in in
ducing Mr.. Fish to remain eight years.
At one time he was 80 bent on resign
ing that | had selected his successor.
1t would have been President White, of
Cornell. Under the present admins
tratiou one thing has been achieved
which | admire, namely, the proper po-
sition of the General of the Army. 1t
is now as it was before Marcy, as Secre-
tary of War, quarreled with Scott.
Scott became angry and retired to Eliza
beth, leaving Marcy in command of the
army. Secretaries have commanded it
ever since until now. Now it is rs it
should be, and as | think 1t will re-
main