National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-07
THE RECORDER OF DEEDS.
The Exact Facts in the Case-An Interest.
Ing Interview with General Sheridan.


A REPUBLICAN reporter ran against
General George A. Sheridan the ex-Recorder of
Deeds, yesterday, and accosted him thusly:
| General Sheridan, what are the facts about
| your vacation of the Office of Recorder"
| Very few and simple" said the general; " Pres
1dent Garfield sent for me some time ago, and said
he wished to find place in the District for Mr..
Douglass, and asked me osuggest one l suggested
every paccI could think Of from the vacancy on the
| Supreme Bench down to chief of police, except my
Own. None of the places seemed to strike the
President as just the thing, and he mildly asked
If it had eyer occurred to me that my place would
| just suit Douglass
81 replied that upon reflection thought it had.
WE'LL said the President, Il think shall give it
| to him. Immediately proceeded to inform the
President that such thing ought not to be thought
of; that the place had very difficult one to
fill; required great legal knowledge and the most
unfinching industry upon the part of the Re-
corder Tor firstclass deputy to properly conduct
| the office; that 1 had worn myself almost to
skeleton by rigid confinement to and supervision
of the Office, and that having wasted so much
mental and physical vigor to bring the Recorders
office to its present high standing, l thought he
ought to allow me to exc out the remnant
of my shattered life (Which assured him would
not take over twenty or thirty years. in my pres
ent position"
What did the President say to this appeal?'
well he said he always liked me- and had
been panied osee my gradually failing health and
spirits; that the main reason why he had con-
cluded to give Mr.. Douglass my place was that he
might give me another with less onerous duties,
and thereby afford me chance to restore my
health, and so save me to the Republic. Kind,
wasn't he 2"
well, General, you seem to take this matter
easily
Certainly; why Shouldn't A good man sue
ceeds me- Douglass ought to have a good place;
he deserves He is too far advanced in life to
be sent abroad, and my place will suit him admir-
ably. Ihave no unkind feelings toward him or
anybody else in the matter"
your resignation was not called for because of
anything developed in the investigation you asked
for in the Post Office Department concerning your
contract there?"
Nothing in the world. The committee will soon
report in that matter, and am confident fully ex-
onerate me from the malicious charges published
in the New York Sun"
What place do you expect the President will
offer your
well, he may send me as Minister to England,
appoint me collector of the port of New York or
something ofthat kind. Contdentially, though,
think he will hold me in reserve till his Cabinet
breaks up (Which everybody except the President
thinks will soon occur), and then make me Score
tary of the State or Treasury, some little thing
of that kind
Weleft George discussing the Conkling- Garfield
row, and wendell our way to the office, sincerely
sorry that the District has to lose so good Re-
corder and so genial a gentleman